Personal loans

A personal loan is an installment loan you repay in fixed monthly payments over a set term. Because it is usually unsecured, the rate you are offered depends heavily on your credit profile — which is why it pays to compare offers on total cost, not just the headline rate.

What a personal loan costs

The cost of a personal loan has three parts: the interest rate (usually quoted as an APR, which includes most fees), the term, and any origination fee. A longer term lowers the monthly payment but raises the total interest you pay. Use the personal loan calculator to see both numbers side by side, and the loan comparison calculator to compare two real offers.

How lenders decide

Most lenders look at your credit score, your income, your existing debts and your debt-to-income ratio. The debt-to-income calculator shows the ratio lenders commonly use as a guideline. A higher score and a lower DTI generally mean a lower rate.

Free calculators

See if you pre-qualify for a personal loan

Check your rate with a lending partner in about two minutes. Checking does not affect your credit score.

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