Monthly payment by loan amount (2026)
The table assumes a 12% APR — a realistic rate for a borrower with good credit in 2026 — with no origination fee, using standard amortization (the same math as our personal loan calculator). Rates on personal loans generally range from about 8% for excellent credit to 36% at the legal ceiling most reputable lenders observe, so treat these as midpoint estimates and check both terms before you commit.
| Loan amount | 3-year payment | 5-year payment | Total interest (5-yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $166/mo | $111/mo | $1,673 |
| $10,000 | $332/mo | $222/mo | $3,347 |
| $12,000 | $399/mo | $267/mo | $4,016 |
| $15,000 | $498/mo | $334/mo | $5,020 |
| $20,000 | $664/mo | $445/mo | $6,693 |
| $30,000 | $996/mo | $667/mo | $10,040 |
| $40,000 | $1,329/mo | $890/mo | $13,387 |
| $50,000 | $1,661/mo | $1,112/mo | $16,733 |
| $80,000 | $2,657/mo | $1,780/mo | $26,773 |
| $100,000 | $3,321/mo | $2,224/mo | $33,467 |
Payments rounded to the nearest dollar; interest to the nearest dollar at the 5-year term. Estimates only — your rate, fee and payment depend on your credit and lender.
Get your exact payment
Enter your amount, quoted rate, term and any origination fee to see your real monthly payment and total cost.
How much your rate changes the payment
The amount you borrow sets the scale, but the APR sets the cost. Here's the same $15,000 loan over 5 years at different rates:
| APR | Monthly payment | Total interest |
|---|---|---|
| 8% | $304/mo | $3,249 |
| 12% | $334/mo | $5,020 |
| 18% | $381/mo | $7,854 |
| 24% | $432/mo | $10,891 |
Going from 8% to 24% nearly doubles the loan's total cost — which is why it's worth pre-qualifying with two or three lenders (a soft credit pull, no score damage) before accepting an offer, and why improving your credit score before applying pays for itself.
Shorter term vs lower payment
Every amount in the main table shows the same trade-off: the 3-year payment is roughly 50% higher than the 5-year payment, but cuts total interest by about 40%. Pick the shortest term whose payment fits comfortably in your budget — and if the 5-year payment is the only one that fits, that's a sign to consider borrowing less.
Watch the origination fee
Many lenders charge an origination fee of 1–10%, deducted from the money you receive. Borrow $15,000 with a 5% fee and only $14,250 lands in your account — while you repay interest on the full $15,000. When comparing offers, a lower rate with a high fee can cost more than a slightly higher rate with none; the calculator's fee field shows the true total cost side by side.