How to Use a Personal Loan EMI Calculator Before You Borrow

An instant personal loan allows quick access to funds without having to offer something valuable as security. Individuals can borrow money for a home renovation, higher education, go on a family vacation or manage other unexpected costs. However, before taking such a step, it is very important to understand the monthly payments. This is when a personal loan EMI calculator proves to be helpful. 

What is a Personal Loan EMI Calculator?

A personal loan EMI calculator is an online financial tool that helps individuals quickly work out how much they will need to pay back each month for a loan. Instead of doing complicated maths, they can feed a few details into the calculator and it gives them the EMI amount right away. This way, individuals can see if the loan payment fits their monthly budget before they commit to anything. It is freely available on websites of banks and financial marketplaces. 

How to Use an EMI Calculator?

Using a personal loan EMI calculator is quite easy. Individuals just need to put in three main pieces of information: 

1. Loan Amount: This is the total money an individual wishes to borrow. For example, if someone needs ₹5 Lakhs for a wedding or a trip, this is the amount they would put in.
2. Interest Rate: This is the yearly interest rate the bank or lender will charge on the loan. Different lenders offer different interest rates, and it can also depend on the individual's credit score. For instance, some lenders might offer an instant personal loan with interest starting from 9.99% per year. 
3. The Loan Tenure: This is how long an individual wants to take to pay back the loan. It is usually given in months or years. For example, a loan might be for 1 year (12 months) or up to 8 years (96 months).

Once these three details are entered, the calculator quickly shows the EMI amount. It also shows the total interest that will be paid over the loan period and the total amount that will be repaid (principal plus total interest). 

For example, if someone borrows ₹1 Lakh at a 9.99% yearly interest rate for 12 months, the personal loan EMI calculator will show an EMI of about ₹8,791. This helps individuals plan their monthly financial commitment. 

Understanding EMI Calculations

Let us look at some examples to understand how different choices affect the results of a personal loan EMI calculator:

1. Example 1: Changing Loan Amount
   • Loan Amount: ₹5 Lakhs
   • Interest Rate: 11% per year
   • Loan Tenure: 3 years (36 months)
   • EMI = Around ₹16,369
2. Now, if the loan amount is increased to ₹7 Lakhs with the same interest and tenure, the EMI will naturally go up. This shows how choosing a smaller loan amount helps keep the EMI lower.
3. Example 2: Changing Loan Tenure
   • Loan Amount: ₹5 Lakhs
   • Interest Rate: 11% per year
   • Loan Tenure: 5 years (60 months)
   • EMI: Around ₹10,871

Notice that by increasing the tenure from 3 to 5 years, the EMI has become much smaller. While a longer tenure means lower monthly payments, it also means paying more interest over the entire loan period. A shorter tenure leads to higher EMIs but saves on total interest paid. 

Why Use a Personal Loan EMI Calculator?

Using an EMI calculator before applying for an instant personal loan offers several key benefits:

1. Helps with Budgeting: Knowing the exact EMI helps individuals plan their monthly budget better. They can see if they have enough money left after paying the EMI to cover other important expenses like house rent, food, and bills. This helps avoid money problems later.
2. Avoids Over-borrowing: Sometimes, individuals might borrow more money than they can comfortably pay back. The EMI calculator shows the monthly payment for different loan amounts. This helps individuals choose a loan amount that does not put too much stress on their finances.
3. Compares Different Loan Offers: Many banks and financial companies offer instant personal loans. Each might have different interest rates or repayment periods. Individuals can use the calculator to compare these offers. For example, if one lender offers a lower interest rate, the EMI might be lower for the same loan amount and tenure. 
4. Understands Total Cost: The calculator often shows not just the EMI, but also the total interest individuals will pay over the loan period. This gives a clear picture of the full cost of borrowing.
5. Plans for Early Repayment: Some calculators even show a full breakdown of payments over time, called an amortisation schedule. This can help individuals plan if they want to pay off the loan earlier (foreclosure or prepayment) to save on interest. 

Tip: Individuals can compare offers from over 20 different lenders using the EMI calculator on financial marketplaces, like Bajaj Markets, making it easier to find a suitable deal. 

Conclusion

Using a personal loan EMI calculator is a smart first step before applying for any instant personal loan. It gives individuals clear numbers, helps them compare options, and ensures they choose a loan that fits their financial situation. It helps to avoid surprises and manage money confidently, leading to a comfortable repayment journey.