About the Auto Loan Calculator
This auto loan calculator estimates the monthly payment on a car loan after your down payment and trade-in. Enter the vehicle price, down payment, trade-in value, interest rate (APR), loan length in months, sales tax and fees. It adds tax and fees to the price, subtracts what you pay up front, and shows the amount financed, the monthly payment, the total interest and the full cost of the car. You can choose whether tax applies to the full price or to the price minus your trade-in, since rules differ by place, and you can pick a currency symbol.
Updated October 2026
How to use the Auto Loan Calculator
- 1Enter the vehicle price, your down payment and any trade-in value.
- 2Type the interest rate (APR) and the loan length in months.
- 3Add the sales tax rate and any title, registration or dealer fees.
- 4Choose whether tax is charged on the full price or on price minus trade-in.
- 5Read the monthly payment and total interest, then press Copy result.
What goes into the payment
Four things drive a car payment: how much you borrow, the interest rate, the length of the loan and any extras rolled into it. Borrowing less is the most effective lever, which means a bigger down payment or trade-in. A lower rate comes from a better credit score or shopping around. A shorter term trades a higher payment for less total interest.
Before you sign
- Get a pre-approval from a bank or credit union to compare with the dealer
- Ask for the total price including tax and fees, not just the monthly payment
- Check for early repayment charges
- Consider insurance, fuel and maintenance, which are not in this calculator
- Avoid stretching the term only to hit a lower payment
Tax and fee rules
Rules differ widely. Some places tax the full price, others tax the price minus the trade-in, and some add separate registration charges. The tax option in the calculator lets you match your local rule, but you should confirm the exact figures with the seller. Fees such as documentation charges are often negotiable.
Related tools
Compare the loan with the general Loan Calculator, view yearly breakdowns with the Amortization Calculator, and find the true yearly cost including fees with the APR Calculator. The Budget Calculator helps you decide what payment fits, and the Debt-to-Income Calculator shows how a new loan changes your ratio.
Features
- Monthly payment, amount financed and total interest
- Down payment and trade-in
- Sales tax on full price or net of trade-in
- Fees included in the loan
- Total cost of the car including what you pay up front
- Any loan length up to 120 months
- Currency symbol picker
- Runs in your browser
Frequently asked questions
How is a car loan payment calculated?
The payment is worked out from the amount financed, the monthly interest rate (APR divided by 12) and the number of months, using the standard loan formula. For 20,000 at 6 percent over 60 months it is about 386.66 a month. This tool does the sum and adds tax and fees first.
Does the calculator include sales tax and fees?
Yes. Tax is calculated on the price, or on the price minus your trade-in if you choose that option, and fees are added on top. Both are included in the amount financed unless you pay them up front by raising the down payment.
Is a longer loan better?
A longer term lowers the monthly payment but increases the total interest, and you stay in debt longer. Try 48, 60 and 72 months and compare the total interest. Shorter terms save money if you can afford the higher payment.
How much should I put down on a car?
A common guideline is at least 10 to 20 percent of the price. A larger down payment reduces the amount you borrow and helps you avoid owing more than the car is worth. The calculator shows the effect immediately when you change it.
How does a trade-in change the loan?
Your trade-in value is subtracted from what you need to borrow, like extra down payment. In some places it also reduces the amount taxed, which is why the tax option is included. Check the rule for your area.
What APR should I enter?
Use the APR from your loan offer or pre-approval. If you have no offer yet, check rates from your bank or credit union and try a range. A difference of two points in APR can change total interest by thousands on a larger loan.