Loan & Mortgage Calculators

This hub gathers the tools for borrowing decisions — working out what a loan will cost each month, how much of a payment goes to interest versus principal, and how long it takes to clear a balance. Each calculator below states the formula it uses and walks through worked examples so you can see exactly how the numbers are produced.

How Loan Payments Are Calculated

Most installment loans — mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans — use an amortization formula that spreads the balance evenly across a fixed number of monthly payments. Each payment is the same total amount, but the split shifts over time: early payments are mostly interest, while later payments are mostly principal. The monthly payment depends on three inputs — the amount borrowed, the interest rate, and the number of months in the term. Raising the rate or shortening the term increases the monthly payment; lengthening the term lowers the payment but increases the total interest paid.

Interest: Simple vs. Compound

Simple interest is charged only on the original principal, which is common for short-term loans and some auto financing. Compound interest is charged on the principal plus any interest already accrued, which is how savings, credit cards, and most long-term debt behave. Compounding is why a credit card balance can grow quickly when only the minimum is paid. The Simple Interest and Compound Interest calculators let you compare the two on the same numbers.

Choosing the Right Tool

Use the Mortgage Calculator for home loans where property taxes and insurance may matter, the Auto Loan Calculator for vehicle financing, and the Loan Payment Calculator for any general fixed-rate loan. If you are carrying revolving debt, the Credit Card Payoff Calculator estimates how long it will take to become debt-free at a given monthly payment.

All calculators provide estimates for educational purposes only. They are not financial advice. See our Financial Disclaimer and Methodology.