The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Amortization Schedules
The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Amortization Schedules
An amortization schedule is a table detailing each periodic payment on an amortizing loan. It breaks down the principal and interest for each payment, showing you exactly how much of your money goes toward paying off debt versus paying the bank.
What is Amortization?
Amortization is the process of spreading out a loan into a series of fixed payments over time. While your total monthly payment remains the same, the portion applied to principal increases and interest decreases with each payment.
How to Read the Schedule
Each row in an amortization schedule represents one payment period (usually a month). Columns typically include:
- Payment Number: The month of the loan term (e.g., 1 to 360 for a 30-year mortgage).
- Payment Amount: Your total monthly payment (Principal + Interest).
- Principal: The portion of the payment reducing your loan balance.
- Interest: The cost of borrowing for that month.
- Remaining Balance: The amount you still owe after the payment.
Why It Matters
Understanding your amortization schedule can help you visualize the long-term cost of your loan. It also shows you the impact of making extra payments. Even small additional payments can significantly reduce the total interest paid over the life of the loan.
Check out our Mortgage Amortization Calculator to generate your own schedule.