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Personal Loan Calculator: How Much Can You Borrow in 2025?

Use our guide to estimate your monthly payments and total loan cost before applying. Plus, find out exactly how much you qualify for based on your income and credit score.

By · Educational information, not personalized financial advice.

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Before taking out a personal loan, knowing exactly what you're agreeing to — monthly payment, total interest, loan cost — helps you borrow smart.

How Personal Loan Payments Are Calculated

Personal loan payments use a standard amortization formula. Each monthly payment covers: 1. **Interest** (decreases over time as the principal drops) 2. **Principal** (increases over time)

The formula: **M = P × [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n – 1]**

Where: - M = monthly payment - P = principal (loan amount) - r = monthly interest rate (APR ÷ 12) - n = number of months

Personal Loan Payment Examples

$5,000 Loan

| Term | 12% APR | 20% APR | 30% APR | |---|---|---|---| | 24 months | $235/mo | $255/mo | $280/mo | | 36 months | $166/mo | $186/mo | $213/mo | | 48 months | $132/mo | $153/mo | $182/mo |

$10,000 Loan

| Term | 12% APR | 20% APR | 30% APR | |---|---|---|---| | 24 months | $470/mo | $510/mo | $561/mo | | 36 months | $332/mo | $372/mo | $426/mo | | 60 months | $222/mo | $265/mo | $323/mo |

$25,000 Loan

| Term | 12% APR | 20% APR | 30% APR | |---|---|---|---| | 36 months | $830/mo | $928/mo | $1,065/mo | | 60 months | $556/mo | $662/mo | $808/mo | | 84 months | $430/mo | $539/mo | $695/mo |

How Much Can You Borrow?

The Debt-to-Income (DTI) Rule

Lenders use your debt-to-income ratio to determine how much you can borrow:

**DTI = Total Monthly Debt Payments ÷ Gross Monthly Income**

Most lenders want your total DTI (including the new loan payment) to stay below **43%–50%**.

**Example:** - Gross monthly income: $5,000 - Existing debt payments: $800/mo (car + minimum credit card) - Max DTI at 43%: $2,150/mo - Available for new loan payment: $2,150 – $800 = **$1,350/mo** - At 20% APR over 60 months: You'd qualify for roughly **$51,000**

Credit Score Impact on Loan Amount

Lenders also cap amounts based on credit profile:

| Credit Score | Typical Max Loan | |---|---| | 750+ | Up to $100,000 | | 700–749 | Up to $50,000 | | 650–699 | Up to $25,000 | | 600–649 | Up to $10,000 | | 580–599 | Up to $5,000 |

Should You Choose a Short or Long Loan Term?

**Shorter term (12–36 months):** - Higher monthly payment - Less total interest paid - Better if you can afford the payment

**Longer term (48–84 months):** - Lower monthly payment - More total interest paid - Better if you need to keep payments affordable

**Rule of thumb:** Choose the shortest term you can comfortably afford.

Total Cost Comparison: 3 Years vs 5 Years

For a $15,000 loan at 18% APR:

| Term | Monthly Payment | Total Paid | Total Interest | |---|---|---|---| | 36 months | $542 | $19,512 | $4,512 | | 60 months | $381 | $22,860 | $7,860 |

A 5-year term saves $161/month but costs $3,348 more in interest. Know your trade-off before you sign.

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Aria Loans is a free comparison service for unsecured personal loans, not a lender. Compare available offers through a network of 30+ lenders; you are not guaranteed an offer from every lender. Checking offers uses a soft credit pull that does not affect your credit score. A lender may perform a hard inquiry if you proceed. Approval, available amounts, rates, funding times, and terms are not guaranteed and depend on the lender.