Personal loans
Installment loans repaid through scheduled payments over a defined period.
Read the guidePersonal loans & borrowing
Borrow with a clearer plan.
Understand how personal loans work, estimate what borrowing may cost and explore available options when you are ready.
Explore the information and tools without starting an application.
Understand before applyingClear guides and examples
Run the numbersPractical borrowing tools
Compare total costAPR, term, fees and payment
Secure loan requestContinue only when ready
Start with your goal
What are you borrowing for?
Choose a common loan purpose to see the most relevant guidance and start the loan request with that goal selected.
Consolidate debtCombine eligible balances into one installment payment and compare total cost.Explore this goalCover an emergencyUnderstand speed, affordability and repayment before using a loan for an urgent cost.Explore this goalImprove a homeEstimate project costs and see how a fixed personal-loan payment may fit your budget.Explore this goalMake a large purchaseEstimate the payment and decide whether financing the purchase fits the budget.Explore this goalPay medical expensesReview financing choices, payment plans and the cost of using an installment loan.Explore this goalHandle a vehicle expensePlan for repairs or other transportation costs using a personal loan when appropriate.Explore this goal
Personal loan basics
Understand the terms before you borrow.
Personal loans can serve different goals, but the best comparison comes down to the amount, APR, repayment term, fees and monthly payment.
Debt-consolidation loans
Personal loans used to combine eligible debts. Potential savings depend on APR, fees and term.
Compare consolidationUnsecured borrowing
Many personal loans do not require collateral, although approval and terms depend on the provider.
What to compareFixed repayment terms
A defined term creates a scheduled payoff date, while a longer term may increase total interest.
Compare loan termsLoan amounts and payments
Available amounts and monthly payments vary based on APR, term and provider criteria.
Estimate a paymentFees and loan proceeds
An origination fee may affect both the amount received and the total cost of borrowing.
Understand loan feesHow a loan costs you
Look beyond the monthly payment.
A lower payment can be appealing, but the complete borrowing cost depends on the rate, term and fees—not the payment alone.
PrincipalThe amount borrowed.
APRA standardized annual cost including certain fees.
Loan termThe time available to repay the balance.
FeesOrigination or other costs can reduce proceeds or raise total cost.
Example: a $10,000 personal loan
Educational example- Principal repaid
- $10,000
- Example interest (12.99% APR, 36 months)
- $2,128
- Example origination fee
- $400
- Total cost
- $12,528
Illustration assumes a hypothetical fixed-rate loan and fee. Actual APR, proceeds, payment and total cost vary by provider and applicant.
Borrowing tools
Run the numbers before you decide.
Use calculators to understand payments, total interest, affordability and whether consolidating debt may improve the math.
Estimated monthly payment
$336.89
- Total interest
- $2,128
- Total repayment
- $12,128
Estimate only. It does not represent an offer, approval, or actual provider terms.
APR and fee calculator
See how certain upfront fees may affect borrowing cost and proceeds.
Calculate APRRates & data
A borrowing snapshot that stays current.
USC updates benchmark rates as the underlying source releases change. Each figure shows its source and observation date; a stale value is hidden rather than carried forward.
Explore all rates and dataPrime rateFederal Reserve H.15 · 7.00%public benchmark
Federal funds targetFederal Reserve · 3.75–4.00%policy range
1-year TreasuryU.S. Treasury via Federal Reserve H.15 · 4.38%market benchmark
UnitedStatesCredit guides
Understand the loan before signing for it.
Foundational personal-loan guides are reviewed as rates, rules and market conditions change.
Current borrowing insights
What is changing—and why it matters.
Reviewed updates on personal-loan guides, benchmark rates and marketplace information, each with its date.
Borrowing fundamentals
How personal loans work
Understand principal, APR, fees, repayment terms and how monthly payments are calculated.
Before you borrow
Know what to compare before accepting a loan.
Approval is only one part of the decision. The better comparison is whether the loan accomplishes the goal at a cost and payment you can reasonably manage.
- Compare APR, not only the interest rateAPR can provide a broader standardized view of borrowing cost because it includes certain fees.
- Understand the tradeoff in a longer termA longer term may reduce the payment while increasing total interest paid.
- Check how fees affect your proceedsAn origination fee may reduce the amount you receive or increase the overall cost.
- Read the provider's final termsThe lender's agreement—not an estimate or marketplace summary—controls the actual loan.
Common questions
Personal loan questions, answered.
What is a personal loan?
A personal loan is generally an installment loan repaid through scheduled payments over a defined term. Many personal loans are unsecured, though structures and permitted uses vary by provider.
Does checking loan options affect my credit?
It depends on the provider and stage of the process. Some initial checks may use a soft inquiry, while completing a formal application may involve a hard inquiry. The applicable disclosure should appear before the inquiry is authorized.
How much can I borrow?
Available amounts depend on the provider, state, income, credit profile, existing obligations and other eligibility criteria. Requesting an amount does not mean that amount will be offered or approved.
Is a longer loan term better?
A longer term can lower the monthly payment, but it may increase the total interest paid. The right term balances affordability with the total cost of borrowing.
Is UnitedStatesCredit a lender?
No. UnitedStatesCredit is a marketplace and information resource. Loan decisions, rates, terms and funding are provided by participating lenders or other providers.