Total Interest Paid Calculator

Understand interest costs before choosing a loan. Test extra payments to reduce total cost. Make smarter payoffs with clearer monthly decisions.

Calculator Inputs

Total amount borrowed.
Annual rate, converted to periodic rate.
More frequent payments can reduce interest slightly.
Base loan term length.
Add months to refine the term.
Used to estimate payoff date.
Applied every period, reduces principal faster.
If unchecked, payment is calculated from term.
Enable custom payment checkbox to use this.
The CSV includes the full schedule.
Limits on-screen rows for performance.

Example Data Table

Sample scenarios to understand how interest changes with rate, term, and extra payments.

Scenario Principal APR Term Frequency Extra / Period Expected Effect
Baseline mortgage ₨ 250,000 7.50% 30y Monthly ₨ 0 Standard payoff, higher lifetime interest
Extra payment strategy ₨ 250,000 7.50% 30y Monthly ₨ 200 Faster payoff, lower total interest
Shorter term ₨ 250,000 7.50% 15y Monthly ₨ 0 Higher payment, much less interest
Biweekly cadence ₨ 250,000 7.50% 30y Biweekly ₨ 0 Small interest reduction from timing
Note: Results depend on payment rounding and lender rules.

Formula Used

This calculator uses the standard amortizing payment equation for a fixed-rate loan. It converts APR to a periodic rate based on your payment frequency, then applies interest each period.

  • Periodic rate: r = (APR / 100) ÷ payments_per_year
  • Base payment (when not custom): Pmt = L × [r(1+r)n] ÷ [(1+r)n − 1]
  • Period interest: Interest = Balance × r
  • Period principal: PrincipalPaid = (Payment + Extra) − Interest
  • New balance: Balance = Balance − PrincipalPaid
  • Total interest paid: Sum of period interest values

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter your loan principal and APR.
  2. Choose payment frequency and set the term years plus extra months.
  3. Optional: add an extra payment per period to accelerate payoff.
  4. Optional: enable custom payment if you already know your base payment.
  5. Click calculate to see total interest, total paid, and payoff date.
  6. Download CSV for the full schedule or PDF for a quick summary.

Interest cost drivers across the schedule

Total interest equals the sum of each period’s interest charge: Balance × periodic rate. With a 7.50% APR on monthly payments, the periodic rate is 0.625%. On a ₨250,000 opening balance, first‑period interest is about ₨1,562.50 before principal is applied. As the balance declines, the same rate produces smaller interest charges, which is why early principal reduction matters most.

Payment frequency and timing effects

Frequency changes both the period count and the per‑period rate. Biweekly uses 26 periods per year (rate ≈ 0.2885% per period) and weekly uses 52 (rate ≈ 0.1442%). More frequent payments reduce the balance sooner, so interest is computed on a lower average balance. Over long terms, that timing difference can translate into meaningful cumulative savings.

Extra payments and payoff acceleration

Extra payments are added after interest and applied to principal. Adding ₨200 per month to a long loan can remove dozens of payments, because each extra unit reduces future interest charges and speeds payoff. A useful metric is interest saved per extra currency unit: the earlier the extra payment is made, the higher the savings multiplier tends to be.

Custom payments and affordability checks

Custom base payments are helpful for “what if” budgeting. To amortize, your effective payment (base plus extra) must exceed interest for that period. At 7.50% APR monthly on ₨250,000, interest starts near ₨1,562.50, so a payment below that level will not reduce the balance and the schedule would never converge. The calculator flags this case immediately.

Interpreting the totals and schedule data

Use “Total paid” to compare financing options and “Total interest” to isolate borrowing cost. Watch when the interest portion drops below the principal portion; that crossover often signals accelerating payoff. Use the schedule table and graph to spot plateaus caused by small payments, and to verify that extra payments shorten the payoff date. Always remember lender rounding, fees, and day‑count conventions can shift results slightly. Run multiple scenarios to choose the best fit.

FAQs

1) What does “total interest paid” represent?

It is the sum of all interest charges across the schedule. Each period’s interest is based on the outstanding balance and the periodic rate derived from APR and payment frequency.

2) Why do extra payments reduce interest so much?

Extras go to principal after interest, lowering the balance earlier. A smaller balance generates less interest in future periods, and payoff happens sooner, reducing the number of interest calculations.

3) Can I use this for loans with fees or insurance?

Yes, as an estimate. Add financed fees to principal, or compare scenarios with and without them. If fees are paid upfront, they are not reflected in the loan balance or interest schedule.

4) What if my lender uses daily interest?

This tool uses periodic compounding based on your chosen frequency. Daily accrual and different day‑count rules can shift totals slightly, especially with irregular payment dates.

5) Why does the calculator warn about a “payment too small”?

If your custom payment does not exceed the period’s interest, the balance will not fall. In that case, the loan would never amortize, so the schedule can’t reach payoff.

6) What’s the best way to compare two loan options?

Run both options with the same principal and frequency, then compare total interest, total paid, and payoff date. Use the schedule and graph to see how quickly principal declines.

Important Notes

  • This tool is for planning and education, not financial advice.
  • Lenders may use different day-count conventions and rounding rules.
  • Fees, insurance, and taxes are not included unless you add them to principal.

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Important Note: All the Calculators listed in this site are for educational purpose only and we do not guarentee the accuracy of results. Please do consult with other sources as well.