How to use the Loan Calculator
- 1 Choose an annuity loan (fixed monthly payment) or a linear loan (fixed repayment).
- 2 Enter the loan amount, the annual interest rate and the term in years.
- 3 Read the monthly payment, the total interest and the yearly overview of repayments and remaining debt.
Annuity or linear?
Annuity loan – every monthly payment is the same. At the start most of it is interest; over time the interest part shrinks and the repayment part grows. Easy to budget for, which is why most personal loans and mortgages use it.
Linear loan – you repay the same amount of principal every month, plus interest on the remaining debt. Payments start higher and fall every month, and you pay less interest in total.
Example: €25,000 at 6% over 5 years costs €483.32 a month as an annuity (€3,999 interest in total). As a linear loan the first payment is €541.67 and the last €418.75, with €3,812.50 interest in total.
The annuity formula
Payment = A × r / (1 − (1 + r)^−n), where A is the loan amount, r the monthly interest rate (annual rate ÷ 12) and n the number of months. The calculator then simulates every month to build the amortization overview.
How to pay less interest
- Choose a shorter term: the monthly payment rises, but total interest falls sharply.
- Compare the annual percentage rate (APR), which includes fees, not just the nominal rate.
- Repay early if your contract allows it without high penalties.
Note
The calculation uses a fixed interest rate and no fees or insurance. Your lender’s offer is binding – use this as an estimate, not as financial advice. Borrowing money costs money: only borrow what you can afford to repay.
Frequently asked questions
How is the monthly payment of a loan calculated?
For an annuity loan the payment is A × r / (1 − (1 + r)^−n), with A the amount, r the monthly rate and n the number of months. The calculator does this for you.
Is a linear loan cheaper than an annuity loan?
Yes, in total interest, because you repay faster at the start. The trade-off is higher payments in the first years.
Does the calculator include fees?
No. Add arrangement fees or insurance separately, or use the APR offered by the lender as the interest rate for a closer estimate.
Last updated: