What is a good personal loan interest rate in 2026?

Compare average rates, check your credit score, verify lender terms, and confirm credit report accuracy before applying.

Checked against our editorial standards · Last updated

Short answer

The average personal loan APR for a 36‑month term was 13.19% and for a 60‑month term was 14.29% according to Curinos data as of September 2026.

The average personal loan APR for a 36‑month term was 13.19% and for a 60‑month term was 14.29% according to Curinos data as of September 2026 (experian.com).

Current market averages

Average personal loan interest rates on three‑year loans were 15.30% APR for the week ending November 1, 2026, up from 14.39% the previous week (credible.com).

Average personal loan interest rates on five‑year loans were 19.22% APR for the week ending November 1, 2026, up from 18.97% the previous week (credible.com).

  • Ask the lender to provide the APR for the specific loan term you are considering.

Review 2026 Interest Rate Trends for Poor Credit Personal Loans while preparing questions for the lender.

How credit score affects rates

Standard personal loan APRs range from about 5.96% to 35.99% depending on credit score and other factors, according to Experian (cnbc.com).

The average interest rate for a personal loan on September 16, 2026 was 12.29% for a borrower with a 700 FICO score borrowing $5,000 over 36 months (cnbc.com).

Borrowers with excellent credit could access personal loan rates as low as 5.96% in November 2026 (yahoo.com).

  • Request a copy of your latest credit report and note the score range mentioned.

  • Write down which documents the lender needs to verify your credit history.

Review Loan Payment Calculator | Test Scenarios while preparing questions for the lender.

Where to find lower rates

Credit unions offered a national average personal loan rate of 10.64% in November 2026, with a legal cap of 18% at federal institutions (yahoo.com).

The average personal loan interest rate was 11.40% in early 2026, while rates could range from a low 6% to a high 36% (finder.com).

WalletHub reported the average personal loan interest rate for Q2 2026 was 17.46% (wallethub.com).

  • Contact local credit unions to ask about their current personal loan APRs.

  • Check if any lender offers rates below the national average for borrowers with similar credit.

What constitutes a good rate

A good personal loan interest rate in 2026 typically ranges from 6% to 12% APR, depending on creditworthiness and market conditions (joingerald.com).

  • Ask the lender to explain any fees that could raise the effective cost beyond the quoted APR.

Disclosures

This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. mycredpal.com may receive compensation from partner lenders, which may influence which products are featured.

Sources

Related questions

How do I improve my credit score before applying?

The average interest rate for a personal loan on September 16, 2026 was 12.29% for a borrower with a 700 FICO score borrowing $5,000 over 36 months.

What fees should I expect with a personal loan?

A good personal loan interest rate in 2026 typically ranges from 6% to 12% APR, depending on creditworthiness and market conditions.

More on this site

What business owners say

4.9Excellent3,200+ reviews on Trustpilot via Big Think Capital
  • This company was lightning fast and the experience was amazing. Thank you, Dan — you're a real pro!
    Stephanie Harlan
  • Good service Joseph Krajewski is the best agent ever. He provided excellent service. I strongly recommend working with him if you have the opportunity.
    Josias Ramirez
  • They gave me a chance when nobody else would. I'm very satisfied.
    Harold Benman