Introduction
This loan calculator shows you what a loan will really cost. Pick your loan type (home loan, personal loan, car loan, or business loan), then enter how much you want to borrow, your interest rate, and how long you need to pay it back. You get your repayment amount right away, plus the total interest you will pay over the life of the loan.
You can also see how to pay your loan off faster. Add extra money to each repayment, add a lump sum, or use an offset account. The calculator shows how much interest you save and how many years you cut off your loan.
Other things you can check:
- Weekly, fortnightly, or monthly repayments
- Interest only or principal and interest repayments
- Comparison rate that includes upfront and ongoing fees
- Rate rise stress test to see what happens if rates go up
- Scenario B to compare two loans side by side
- Full amortisation schedule showing every repayment
There is a step-by-step section too, so you can see the math behind each answer. Change any number and the results update straight away.
How to use our Loan Calculator
Enter your loan amount, term, interest rate and how you pay it back. The calculator shows your repayment, total interest, total cost, payoff date, and how much you can save with extra payments.
Loan Type: Pick Home, Personal, Car or Business. Each type sets typical rates, fees and limits.
Loan Amount: Type the amount you want to borrow, or drag the slider.
Loan Term: Enter how long you will take to pay the loan, then choose Years or Months.
Annual Interest Rate (%): Enter the yearly rate your lender charges.
Rate Type: Choose Fixed if your rate stays the same, or Variable if it can change.
Repayment Frequency: Choose weekly, fortnightly or monthly repayments.
Repayment Type: Choose Principal & Interest to pay the loan down, or Interest Only to pay just the interest for a while.
Interest-only period (years): If you picked Interest Only, choose how many years that lasts.
Extra Repayment: Add any extra money you will pay each period. Use the +$100, +$250 or +$500 buttons for a quick change.
Offset Account Balance: For home loans, enter your offset savings. This money cuts the balance that earns interest.
Lump Sum Payments: Click "Add lump sum", then enter the amount and the month you will pay it.
Upfront Fees ($): Enter set-up costs like application and valuation fees.
Ongoing Fee ($): Enter any fee charged with each repayment.
Gross Annual Household Income ($): Enter your total yearly income before tax to see if repayments fit your budget. Enter 0 to skip.
Scenario B: Turn this on to compare a second loan. Enter its amount, rate, term and extra repayment to see which loan costs less.
Click Calculate to see your results, charts and full repayment schedule. Use Reset to start again, or Print / Save PDF to keep a copy.
Understanding Your Loan
A loan is money you borrow from a bank and pay back over time. You pay back two things: the principal (the amount you borrowed) and the interest (what the bank charges you for lending it). The longer you take to pay, the more interest you pay in total.
The Main Parts of a Loan
- Loan amount: How much you borrow.
- Interest rate: The yearly percentage the bank charges.
- Loan term: How long you have to pay it off, like 5 years or 30 years.
- Repayment frequency: How often you pay (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly).
Fixed vs Variable Interest Rates
A fixed rate stays the same for a set time, so your repayments do not change. A variable rate can go up or down with the market. Fixed gives you certainty. Variable can save you money if rates drop, but it can cost more if rates rise.
Principal and Interest vs Interest Only
With principal and interest repayments, you chip away at the debt every time you pay. With interest only, you just pay the interest for a set period. Your payments are smaller at first, but you still owe the full amount, and you pay more interest overall.
Ways to Pay Your Loan Off Faster
- Extra repayments: Paying a little more each time goes straight onto the principal. Even $50 extra a month can cut years off a home loan.
- Offset account: A savings account linked to your home loan. If you owe $500,000 and have $25,000 in offset, you only pay interest on $475,000.
- Lump sums: A bonus, tax refund, or gift dropped onto the loan lowers your balance right away, so less interest builds up after that.
- Pay more often: Weekly or fortnightly payments shrink the balance sooner, which shaves off interest.
- Clear other debts first: If you carry card or personal debt, choose an order to pay it down.
Fees and the Comparison Rate
Loans often have upfront fees (like setting up the loan or valuing a property) and ongoing fees charged each period. The comparison rate mixes those fees into one percentage.1 It shows the true cost, so you can compare two loans fairly. A loan with a low rate but big fees may cost more than one with a slightly higher rate.
Can You Afford It?
Lenders look at how much of your income goes to repayments. Under 25% of your gross income is usually comfortable. Between 25% and 40% is moderate. Over 40% is high risk, and you may struggle if rates rise or your income drops. It is smart to test what happens if your rate goes up by 1% to 3%, since rates change over the years. Keep an emergency fund as a buffer.
Common Loan Types
- Home loan: Large amounts, long terms up to 30 years, lower rates because your home is security.
- Personal loan: Smaller amounts, short terms of 1 to 7 years, higher rates because there is no security.
- Car loan: Uses the car as security, so rates sit between home and personal loans.
- Business loan: Used for stock, gear, or growth, with terms and rates that depend on the business. Lenders often check your DSCR before approving.