Your repayment, and how fast a little extra clears it.
Enter your loan amount, rate and term to see the monthly repayment and the full cost of the debt. Then add an optional extra payment and watch the payoff date jump forward: every dollar over the minimum goes straight to principal and skips all of its future interest.
Your loan
Your repayment at a glance
How fast the balance falls
Payoff with and without extra
Where each year's money goes
Each bar is one year of payments. Early on almost all of it is interest; the split flips as the balance falls.
Key milestones
Full repayment schedule
Click any year to open its payments. Figures include any extra payment you enter.
| Date | Payment | Principal | Interest | Balance |
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How loan repayment works
Understanding Loan Repayment
Loan repayment involves paying back borrowed money plus interest over a set period. Each monthly payment consists of principal (reducing the loan balance) and interest (the cost of borrowing). Early payments are mostly interest, shifting toward mostly principal as the loan matures. This is called amortization.
How Monthly Payments are Calculated
Monthly payments are calculated using the standard amortization formula: M = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n - 1], where P is the principal, r is the monthly interest rate, and n is the number of payments. This formula ensures equal payments throughout the loan term while fully paying off the balance by the end.
Choosing the Right Loan Term
Shorter loan terms mean higher monthly payments but significantly less total interest. A $10,000 loan at 8% over 2 years costs $452/month with $855 in total interest. Over 5 years, payments drop to $203/month but total interest rises to $2,166. Choose the shortest term you can comfortably afford.
Strategies for Faster Repayment
Pay more than the minimum whenever possible, even an extra $50/month can save hundreds in interest. Make biweekly payments instead of monthly (results in one extra payment per year). Apply windfalls like tax refunds to your principal. Consider the debt avalanche method, pay minimums on all debts and throw extra money at the highest-rate debt first.
Common questions
How does interest rate affect total cost?
Interest rate has a significant impact on total loan cost. For a $10,000 loan over 3 years: at 5%, total interest is $790; at 8%, it is $1,275; at 12%, it is $1,957. A few percentage points difference can cost hundreds or thousands more over the life of the loan.
Should I choose a shorter or longer loan term?
Choose the shortest term you can afford. Longer terms offer lower monthly payments but cost significantly more in total interest. If you need lower payments, choose a longer term but plan to make extra payments when possible to reduce total cost.
Can I pay off my loan early?
Most loans allow early payoff, but some charge prepayment penalties. Check your loan agreement for prepayment terms. If there is no penalty, paying extra toward principal is one of the best financial moves you can make, especially early in the loan when interest charges are highest.
What is the difference between principal and interest?
Principal is the original amount borrowed, and interest is the fee charged by the lender for borrowing that money. Your monthly payment covers both. Early in the loan, most of the payment goes toward interest. As the principal balance decreases, more of each payment goes toward reducing the balance.
Estimates for planning only. Actual schedules depend on your exact rate, day-count method, payment timing and any fees or prepayment penalty your lender adds. Confirm the numbers with your lender before you rely on them.