What is the Definition of an Amortization Schedule?

An amortization schedule is a financial table that shows how much will be paid in principal, interest and other included fees over the complete term of a loan. It is used to calculate consistent payments on a loan and to show how much the principal due actually decreases with each payment.

  1. Where Are They Used?

    • All reputable banks and other lending institutions use amortization schedules to calculate simple interest loans. If you borrow money for a car, home or other major purchase, an amortization schedule will be used to calculate your payment amount for the loan term.

    How Are They Calculated?

    • Amortization schedules are calculated using a loan's payment frequency (monthly, bimonthly, weekly), interest rate, total loan amount and loan term. The schedule calculates what regular payment amount can be used to cover both principal and interest and pay off the total loan amount in the desired amount of time.

    What Else Can They Include?

    • Amortization schedules often include payments beyond simple principal and interest, especially for home loans. Amortization schedules can also include other expenses like taxes, insurance and mortgage fees.

    Why Are They Useful for Borrowers?

    • Borrowers can check amortization schedules to determine just how much interest they will have to pay over the life of a loan. Amortization schedules are also useful in calculating exactly how much principal is left to be paid in a loan, which is helpful for loan prepayment. And, of course, amortization schedules make consistent payment amounts possible, which can be very convenient.

    Can I Make an Amortization Schedule?

    • The mathematics that go into creating an amortization schedule are somewhat complicated, but luckily there are many online resources that allow you to build amortization schedules quickly and easily. These websites often allow you to input a loan's amount, term and interest rate, and will create the entire schedule for you automatically.

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