IBR Payment Calculator
Free Income Based Repayment calculator for 2026. See your monthly IBR payment based on income and family size, and compare it to RAP side by side.
Count yourself, your spouse if filing jointly, and dependents. Single with no kids = 1.
How IBR works
Income Based Repayment calculates your payment as a percentage of your discretionary income. Discretionary income is the difference between your AGI and 150% of the federal poverty guideline for your family size. New IBR charges 10% of discretionary income with forgiveness after 20 years. Old IBR charges 15% with forgiveness after 25 years. IBR caps your payment at whatever the standard 10 year plan would charge, which is its biggest advantage over RAP at higher incomes.
IBR vs RAP: the key difference
RAP uses a percentage of your total AGI. IBR uses a percentage of your discretionary income, which is lower. But RAP guarantees your balance never grows and waives unpaid interest. IBR does not. At lower incomes IBR often charges more than RAP. At higher incomes IBR's payment cap kicks in and can save hundreds per month. Use both calculators to compare: RAP calculator and this IBR calculator side by side. Or read the full RAP vs IBR comparison.
2026 federal poverty guidelines used by this calculator
| Family size | Poverty line | 150% (IBR threshold) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $15,650 | $23,475 |
| 2 | $21,150 | $31,725 |
| 3 | $26,650 | $39,975 |
| 4 | $32,150 | $48,225 |
| 5 | $37,650 | $56,475 |
| 6 | $43,150 | $64,725 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the IBR payment formula?
New IBR: 10% of (AGI minus 150% of poverty line) divided by 12. Old IBR: 15% of the same. The payment is capped at the standard 10 year plan payment on your balance.
Is IBR better than RAP?
It depends on your income and balance. IBR forgives sooner (20 or 25 years vs 30 for RAP) and caps payments at the standard plan amount. RAP usually charges less per month and guarantees your balance never grows. Read the full comparison.
Can I switch from IBR to RAP?
Yes. You can switch at any time through studentaid.gov. Your qualifying payments carry over for forgiveness purposes.
Does IBR qualify for PSLF?
Yes. Both IBR and RAP qualify for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Read the RAP and PSLF guide.