A personal loan calculator is a tool used to estimate the monthly payments, total interest paid, and overall cost of a personal loan. It typically requires inputs such as loan amount, interest rate, and loan term. For example, entering a loan amount of $10,000, a 7% interest rate, and a 3-year term will generate an estimated monthly payment, as well as the total interest paid over the life of the loan.
These tools empower borrowers to make informed financial decisions. By providing a clear picture of potential loan costs, they facilitate comparison shopping across different lenders and loan terms. This transparency helps individuals budget effectively and avoid loans with unfavorable terms. Historically, obtaining this type of information required consultation with a financial professional or manual calculations. Online calculators have democratized access to this crucial financial planning resource.