An amortization schedule shows how the payments on a loan are applied over time. It breaks down the portions of the payment that go toward interest and principal. As the balance declines with each payment, so does the amount of interest charged. Constructing an amortization schedule involves calculating interest, principal repayment, and ending balance amounts for each payment period until the loan is paid off. Amortization tables are useful for understanding the full cost of loans and how borrowing funds works over the life of the debt.