Loan sizes
Every loan size, worked out
Pick the amount closest to what you need. Each page shows the payment at several rates and terms, the income a lender is likely to look for, and which kinds of lenders make loans that size.
Sizes at a glance
Change the rateSmall loans: $500 to $3,000
Short gaps and one-off bills. Credit unions, banks and finance companies each lend in this range, under different rules.
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$500 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$500 personal loans
$45.13 a month over 12 months at 15% APR, credit union PALs, and how flat fees push small loans past 300% APR.
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$1,000 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$1,000 personal loans
PAL I or PAL II: $180.54 a month over 6 months or $96.51 over 12 at 28% APR, plus state rules.
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$2,000 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$2,000 personal loans
The top of the credit union PAL: $96.97 a month over 24 months at 15% APR, and when to switch to an installment loan.
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$3,000 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$3,000 personal loans
$104.00 a month over 36 months at 15% APR, and the state rate bands, like California's, that start near this size.
Mid-size loans: $5,000 to $20,000
The range most personal loans fall in: debt payoff, repairs, moves and medical bills.
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$5,000 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$5,000 personal loans
A common first loan: $173.33 a month over 36 months at 15% APR, the income lenders look for, and fees.
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$10,000 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$10,000 personal loans
Payments from $202.76 to $590.42 a month, the income lenders look for, and who lends this much.
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$15,000 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$15,000 personal loans
From $304.15 to $686.97 a month, and how a $15,000 loan compares with cards and a balance transfer.
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$20,000 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$20,000 personal loans
From $405.53 to $915.96 a month, and why the debt-to-income ratio often pushes this size to 60 months.
Large loans: $25,000 to $100,000
Bigger sums need stronger income and credit, and sometimes a different kind of loan altogether.
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$25,000 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$25,000 personal loans
From $506.91 to $1,144.95 a month, plus how co-borrowers and savings-secured loans help at this size.
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$35,000 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$35,000 personal loans
From $545.52 to $1,602.93 a month, the income it takes, and why 84 months costs more than it looks.
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$50,000 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$50,000 personal loans
From $779.31 to $1,961.64 a month, the income it takes, and how home equity compares, risk included.
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$100,000 Updated Nov 12, 2026
$100,000 personal loans
From $1,558.62 to $3,615.24 a month, the income it takes, and why Truth in Lending may not apply.