Compare personal loan offers — $1K to $50K.
Fixed APR. Fixed monthly payment. Clear payoff date. Use the funds for almost any purpose — home improvement, medical bills, weddings, debt consolidation, or an unexpected expense.
A personal loan is the most flexible borrowing product in consumer finance. Unlike a mortgage or auto loan, it isn't tied to a specific purchase — you receive a lump sum and decide how to use it. Lenders in the LendingsTree network offer personal loans from $1,000 to $50,000, with fixed terms typically ranging from 24 to 84 months. Most are unsecured, meaning no collateral is required; your credit profile and income are what the lender uses to set your rate.
How a personal loan actually works.
You apply for a specific amount, the lender approves you for that amount (or sometimes less), and they deposit the funds in your bank account — usually within 1 to 7 business days. From that point on, you make equal monthly payments for the life of the loan. The rate is fixed for the entire term, so the payment never changes. When the last payment clears, the loan is closed.
This predictability is what makes personal loans different from a credit card or HELOC. A card has variable APR and minimum payments that stretch the balance out for years. A personal loan has a fixed APR and a defined endpoint. You know — to the dollar — what the loan will cost from day one.
APRs in our partner network range from about 6.99% to 35.99%, depending on your credit and the lender. Many lenders charge an origination fee (typically 1–8% of the loan amount) that's either deducted from your disbursement or rolled into the loan. The APR includes that fee, which is why comparing APRs (not just the interest rate) gives you the true cost.
What people use personal loans for
Home improvement
Kitchen, bath, roof, HVAC. Often cheaper than putting the work on credit cards, and you don't put your house up as collateral (the way a HELOC does).
Debt consolidation
Combining multiple credit-card balances into one fixed-rate, fixed-payment loan. Usually 6.99–17% APR for borrowers with fair-to-good credit — versus 18–29% on cards.
Medical bills
Spread out large or unexpected medical costs over 36–60 months with a fixed schedule and a clear payoff date.
Major life events
Weddings, relocations, funerals. One-time costs where the alternative (credit cards or family loans) carries its own friction.
Unexpected emergencies
Car repairs, broken appliances, vet bills. Many lender partners can fund within 24 hours.
Small home projects
Solar deposits, fence installs, landscaping. Smaller loan amounts where dragging out the cost on a card defeats the purpose.
What lenders look at
Personal loan underwriting is driven primarily by your credit profile and your debt-to-income ratio (DTI). Most lenders in our network look for:
- Credit score: Many partners look for 580+. Some require 660+ or 700+ for their best rates. A handful work with borrowers below 580.
- Stable income: Pay stubs, W-2s, or tax returns. Self-employed borrowers will typically need 1–2 years of tax returns showing consistent income.
- Debt-to-income ratio: Most lenders prefer a DTI of 40% or less (total monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income).
- Citizenship / residency: U.S. citizen or permanent resident, 18+ (19+ in some states).
- Bank account in good standing: For direct deposit and ACH debit of monthly payments.
The marketplace returns offers from lenders whose criteria match what you submitted. If you have fair credit, you'll see offers from fair-credit lenders. If you have excellent credit, you'll see offers from prime lenders. You're not wasting time being shown offers you won't qualify for.
Personal loan APRs by credit profile
Ranges below are illustrative only. Your actual offer depends on your credit, income, state, and the lender's individual criteria. The marketplace shows real prequalified offers — these tables just help you set expectations.
| Credit Profile | Score | Typical APR Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 720+ | 6.99%–13% | Lowest rates; multiple lender competition |
| Good | 670–719 | 10%–18% | Solid spread of offers; good comparison value |
| Fair | 620–669 | 15%–25% | Comparing matters most — spreads are widest |
| Below 620 | 580–619 | 22%–35.99% | Fewer lender partners; subprime specialists |
Illustrative ranges — not an offer of credit. Actual rates set solely by the individual lender.
Personal Loans — FAQ
Authoritative sources
For deeper research, these are the primary sources we cross-reference:
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