CLEARBORROW · TOOL · PUBLISHED NOVEMBER 12, 2026
Origination fee calculator: how much cash will I actually get?
Many personal loans take an origination fee out of the money you receive, but charge interest on the full amount. Enter the loan, fee and rate to see the cash you get and the APR including the fee. To end up with a set amount, divide it by (1 − fee): to receive $5,000 with a 6% fee you need to borrow about $5,319.15.
On this page
Calculate your fee
Assumes the fee is deducted from the proceeds and interest is charged on the full loan amount, as lenders such as Upgrade and Best Egg describe. Some lenders instead add the fee to the balance; check your offer.
Published fee ranges
| Lender (our reviews) | Origination fee |
|---|---|
| Upgrade | 1.85%–9.99% |
| Best Egg | 0.99%–9.99% |
| LendingClub | Mostly 0%–8% |
| Avant | Administration fee up to 9.99% |
| OneMain | $25–$500 flat or 1%–10%, by state |
| SoFi | 0%–7% depending on option |
From each lender’s published terms, checked November 12, 2026; see the reviews for sources.
Worked example
Our arithmetic: $5,000 with a 6% fee at 15% for 36 months — you receive $4,700, pay $173.33 a month, and the APR including the fee is about 19.4%.
Ways to pay less
- Ask whether a no-fee option exists, even at a slightly higher rate — then compare APRs.
- Borrow only what you need; the fee is a percentage of the loan.
- Compare at least two offers with our comparison calculator.
Questions
Is the origination fee included in APR?
Yes. Under federal disclosure rules APR includes prepaid finance charges like origination fees — that is why APR is higher than the rate.
Can I pay the fee separately?
Some lenders let you add the fee to the balance instead (Best Egg calls it “Cover the Fee”). You then pay interest on the fee.
Is a fee ever refunded if I repay early?
Usually not; the fee is earned when the loan is made. Check your agreement.
Sources and limits
Sources checked November 12, 2026. Calculators give estimates, not offers; lenders calculate exact payments, APRs and approval. This is general information, not financial or legal advice. How we use sources.