Calculators and tools

Estimate the monthly payment and full cost of a fixed-rate loan, including an origination fee and extra payments, then set two scenarios side by side.

Enter a loan with a fee and watch the interest rate become an APR, so you can see what the fee really adds to the cost of borrowing.

Start from your take-home pay and regular costs to see what room is left for a new payment, without any one-size debt-to-income rule.

List your current balances, rates and payments, then compare them with a single consolidation loan by total cost, not just the monthly payment.

Compare your current loan with a new rate and term, including any fees, and find the point where refinancing starts to pay off.

Enter two or three offers and compare them by APR, total of payments, fees and term, so the headline rate can't hide a longer or costlier loan.

A guided checklist of what to gather and check before you apply, so a lender sees you at your best and you avoid needless hard inquiries.

Answer a short set of questions about the expense and your situation to see whether a loan fits, or whether a payment plan, hardship program or waiting might cost less.

Answer a few questions about an offer or the company behind it to surface the warning signs of a scam or a predatory loan before you hand over anything.