Standard 60-month loan
Input: $32,000 vehicle, $5,000 down, 60 mo, 6.5% APR, 6.5% sales tax
Output: Monthly payment ~$558, total interest ~$5,260, financed ~$28,830
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Auto Loan Calculator
Calculate monthly car payment, total interest, and amortization with trade-in, sales tax, and dealer fees.
About Auto Loan Calculator
The Auto Loan Calculator estimates your monthly vehicle payment based on the full out-the-door cost — not just the sticker price. It accepts vehicle price, down payment, trade-in value (and any payoff still owed on a trade), loan term, APR, sales tax rate, and title/registration fees, then computes the amount financed, monthly payment, total interest, and total out-of-pocket cost. It correctly handles trade-in tax credits used in most US states (you only pay sales tax on the difference between vehicle price and trade-in), and it flags negative trade equity that would be rolled into the new loan. A cumulative-cost chart shows how each payment splits between principal and interest across the term so you can see exactly how much of your money goes to lender interest versus actually paying down the car.
Why use Auto Loan Calculator
- Includes sales tax, title fees, and trade-in equity for an accurate out-the-door payment — not just the financed amount.
- Flags negative trade equity rolled into the new loan, a major source of being underwater on car loans.
- Correctly applies trade-in tax credits used by most US states (you save on sales tax).
- Visualizes principal vs. interest amortization so you see exactly where each payment goes.
- Compare 36-, 48-, 60-, 72-, and 84-month terms instantly to find the best total-cost balance.
- Runs entirely in your browser — no income, credit, or contact info ever leaves your device.
How to use Auto Loan Calculator
- Enter the negotiated vehicle price (the out-the-door price minus tax/fees works too — just zero those fields out).
- Enter your cash down payment and the trade-in value plus any remaining payoff on the trade.
- Pick a loan term (36–84 months) and enter the APR your lender or dealer quoted.
- Set the sales tax rate for your state and the title/registration fees.
- Pick whether your state grants a tax credit on the trade-in (most US states do).
- Review monthly payment, total interest, and the principal-vs-interest chart to see the true lifetime cost.
When to use Auto Loan Calculator
- Negotiating a car deal at the dealership and want to verify the dealer's payment math.
- Comparing financing offers from your bank, credit union, and the dealer's lender.
- Deciding between a longer term (lower monthly, more total interest) and a shorter term.
- Evaluating whether to put extra cash down or invest it elsewhere.
- Checking whether rolling negative equity from a current car loan into a new one makes sense.
- Estimating affordability before shopping so you don't fall in love with a car you can't budget.
Examples
With trade-in equity
Input: $32,000 vehicle, $5,000 down, $8,000 trade (no loan), 60 mo, 6.5% APR, 6.5% tax (with credit)
Output: Monthly payment ~$394, total interest ~$3,710, sales tax saved ~$520
84-month term comparison
Input: $32,000 vehicle, $5,000 down, 84 mo, 6.5% APR, 6.5% tax
Output: Monthly payment ~$435, total interest ~$7,750 (~$2,500 more than 60 mo)
Tips
- Aim for a 60-month term or shorter. 72- and 84-month loans cut the monthly payment but balloon total interest and leave you underwater for years.
- Always negotiate the vehicle price before discussing monthly payment — dealers often hide price increases inside a 'monthly payment' negotiation.
- Get a pre-approved loan from your own bank or credit union before visiting a dealer; it's leverage and a baseline rate to beat.
- A larger down payment (15–20%) reduces the chance of going underwater and unlocks better loan terms.
- Sales tax in most states is calculated on price-minus-trade-in, so trading in a $10K car can save $600–$900 in tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate is this calculator?▾
Math matches standard amortization formulas your lender uses to within a few dollars. The variable accuracy comes from inputs — the sales tax rate, dealer fees, and APR you're actually offered. Always verify against the loan disclosure document at signing.
Is my data shared anywhere?▾
No. All math runs in your browser. The vehicle price, your income, the APR you're quoted — none of it leaves your device. There are no tracking pixels, no analytics on inputs, and no third-party scripts handling your numbers.
How does this compare to bank or dealer calculators?▾
Bank calculators usually only ask for loan amount, rate, and term — they skip sales tax, trade-in math, and fees. Dealer calculators are honest about the math but the inputs are sometimes massaged. This tool exposes every line item so you can verify the dealer's quote independently.
What APR should I expect for my credit score?▾
As of 2026, typical new-car APRs by FICO score: 750+ around 5–6%, 700–749 around 6–8%, 660–699 around 8–11%, 620–659 around 11–15%, below 620 often 15%+. Used car rates run 1–3% higher. These are averages — shop multiple lenders.
Should I take the rebate or the low APR?▾
Run the math both ways using this calculator. A $2,000 rebate at 6.5% APR is often cheaper total than 0% APR with no rebate over a 60-month term. Compare total interest plus principal under each scenario.
Why does the calculator add tax to the loan amount?▾
Most states require sales tax to be paid at registration, and most buyers finance it into the loan rather than paying cash on top of the down payment. If you're paying tax separately in cash, set the sales tax rate to 0 and pay the tax outside this calculation.
What's GAP insurance and should I add it here?▾
GAP (Guaranteed Asset Protection) insurance covers the difference between what you owe and what your car is worth if it's totaled — useful if you're rolling negative equity or made a small down payment. It's typically $400–$800 added to the loan; this calculator doesn't include it because pricing varies hugely. Add it manually to the fees field if relevant.
Does APR include the dealer's fees?▾
By federal Truth in Lending law, APR must include most lender fees, but doesn't include third-party fees like dealer doc fees or title/registration. Enter those separately in the title & fees field. Dealer doc fees ($200–$700) are negotiable in some states.
Explore the category
Glossary
- APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
- The yearly interest rate on your auto loan, including most lender fees. Higher APR = more total interest over the term.
- Amount financed
- Vehicle price plus sales tax and fees, minus down payment and trade-in equity. This is the principal balance on day one of your loan.
- Negative equity
- When you owe more on your trade-in than the trade is worth. Rolling it into the new loan means starting your new loan already underwater.
- Trade-in tax credit
- A state-level rule (used in most US states) where sales tax is calculated on price-minus-trade-in, not the full vehicle price.
- Out-the-door price
- The total cost to drive a vehicle off the lot: price + sales tax + title + registration + dealer fees. The honest comparison number.
- LTV (Loan-to-Value)
- Loan balance divided by vehicle value. A new car depreciates 15-20% in year one — high-LTV loans take 2-3 years to escape underwater status.