Boneyard Tools

Extra Payment Calculator

Find out how much faster you can clear a loan by paying a little extra each month. Enter the balance, interest rate, term and your extra payment to see how many months and how much interest you save.

How to use the extra payment calculator

  1. Enter the loan balance, the annual interest rate and the term in months.
  2. Enter the extra amount you plan to pay toward principal each month.
  3. Review the new payoff time, months saved and total interest saved.

Examples

200k at 6% over 30 years with $200 extra

Balance 200,000, rate 6%, term 360 months, extra 200 per month
Paid off in 252 months, 108 months sooner, about 79,800 less interest

Frequently asked questions

How do extra payments pay off a loan faster?

Every dollar above the scheduled payment goes straight to principal. A smaller balance accrues less interest each month, so more of every future payment reduces principal, which compounds into a much earlier payoff.

How much interest can extra payments save?

It depends on the rate, balance and how early you start. On a 200,000 loan at 6 percent over 30 years, an extra 200 per month clears the loan about nine years early and saves roughly 79,800 in interest.

Is it better to pay extra monthly or one lump sum?

Both help. A consistent extra each month is easy to budget and starts saving interest right away. A lump sum makes a large one-time dent. The sooner the money goes to principal, the more interest you avoid.

Will my required monthly payment go down?

No. On most loans extra payments shorten the term but do not lower the required payment. If you want a lower payment you would need to recast or refinance the loan instead.

Are the results financial advice?

No. The figures are estimates to help you compare scenarios. Confirm that your lender applies extra payments to principal and check for any prepayment penalties before you commit.

Related tools