Loan terms
How long to take: one ring per year
A longer term lowers the payment and raises the total cost. Each page shows that trade for one term length, with worked numbers and who offers it.
One to two years
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1 year Updated Nov 12, 2026
12-month personal loans
The shortest common term: $270.77 a month on $3,000 at 15%, and when one year beats a card.
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2 years Updated Nov 12, 2026
24-month personal loans
Two years of payments, and what the Fed's 11.90% bank average for this term does and does not tell you.
Three to four years
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3 years Updated Nov 12, 2026
36-month personal loans
Three years of payments: the cost at common amounts, and how it compares with 24 and 48 months.
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4 years Updated Nov 12, 2026
48-month personal loans
Four years: $546.53 a month on $20,000 at 14%, and why the fourth year costs less per dollar saved than the fifth.
Five years and longer
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5 years Updated Nov 12, 2026
60-month personal loans
The lowest payment many lenders offer: $594.75 on $25,000 at 15%, with about 1.7x the interest of 36 months.
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6-7 years Updated Nov 12, 2026
72- and 84-month personal loans
The longest terms: $706.11 a month on $40,000 at 12%, with about 2.5x the interest of 36 months.