Amortization Calculator
Generate a complete loan amortization table and see exactly how much of each payment goes toward principal versus interest, from the first payment to the last.
Quick Answer
On a $300,000 loan at 6.5% over 30 years, your payment is about $1,896/month. In year 1, roughly 83% of each payment goes to interest, not principal.
Loan Details
Monthly Payment
$1,896
Total Principal
$300,000
Total Interest
$382,633
Total Paid
$682,633
Principal vs Interest by Year
Amortization Table
| Year | Payment | Principal | Interest | Balance |
|---|
What Is an Amortization Calculator?
An amortization calculator breaks down every payment on a loan into its principal and interest components over the full loan term, producing a complete amortization table. Early in a loan, most of each payment goes toward interest, while later payments shift increasingly toward principal, a pattern true of nearly all fixed-rate home loans.
Why Amortization Front-Loads Interest
Interest is calculated on your remaining balance each month. Since the balance is highest at the start of the loan, the interest portion of your payment is highest too. As the balance shrinks with each payment, less of your payment goes to interest and more goes to paying down principal, a curve you can see clearly in the chart above.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your loan amount, interest rate, and term.
- Optionally set a loan start date to see actual calendar dates.
- Switch between yearly and monthly table views.
- Review the principal-vs-interest chart to see how your payment composition changes over time.
- Print or save the table for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my loan balance barely move in the early years?
Because most of your early payments go toward interest rather than principal. This is normal for amortizing loans and gradually shifts in your favor as the balance decreases.
Does this work for loans other than mortgages?
Yes. This amortization calculator works for any fixed-rate, fully amortizing loan, including mortgages, auto loans, and personal loans, since the underlying math is the same.
How can I pay off my loan faster using this table?
Adding extra payments toward principal reduces future interest charges. For a detailed breakdown of extra payment strategies, use our dedicated Mortgage Payoff Calculator.