Auto Loan Calculator

Free auto loan calculator to estimate your monthly car payment with trade-in value, sales tax, and down payment included. See total interest, amortization, and payoff date, no signup.

Example Deals

New Car w/ Trade-In

$32k • $3k down • $8k trade • 60 mo

Used Car

$22k • 10% down • 9.5% • 60 mo

72-Month Term

$45k • trade-in • 72 mo

Negative Equity

$3k rolled into new loan

Deal Details View Results

Most states credit trade-in against sales tax (uncheck for CA-style full-price tax)

Your Auto Loan Summary

Monthly Payment
$0
Fixed payment on the amount financed.
Amount Financed
$0
Price, tax, and fees minus down and trade equity.
Total Interest
$0
Paid over the loan life.
Total Cost of Car
$0
Down, trade equity, and all loan payments.
Sales Tax
$0
Based on your state tax rule.
Payoff Date
When the balance reaches zero.
Loan-to-Value (LTV) 0%
Financed amountVehicle price

Term Comparison (48 / 60 / 72 months)

Balance & Interest Over Time

Amortization Schedule

#DatePrincipalInterestBalanceCum. Interest
How This Is Calculated

Amount financed equals vehicle price minus down payment and trade-in equity, plus sales tax and fees. The monthly payment uses M = P * r(1+r)^n / ((1+r)^n - 1) on that figure:

Enter your deal details to see the math…
Guide & Reference

Everything behind the Auto Loan Calculator

Formulas, reference charts, and detailed answers — expand any section you need.

Car Loan Calculator: Payment Examples by Loan Amount

Use the car loan calculator for your exact deal; this table gives quick planning figures at a 60-month term.

Amount FinancedPayment at 6%Payment at 9%
$20,000$387$415
$30,000$580$623
$40,000$773$830
$50,000$967$1,038

Auto Loan Calculator: What Will My Car Payment Be?

This auto loan calculator builds your payment the same way a dealership finance office does: vehicle price minus your down payment and trade-in equity, plus sales tax and fees, financed at your rate and term. That's why the payment from this car loan calculator matches the number on the buyer's order, while simple estimates run low. Enter the deal as it actually stands and the auto loan calculator shows your monthly payment, total interest, and the complete cost of the car instantly.

Example: A $32,000 vehicle with $3,000 down, an $8,000 trade-in, 7% sales tax, and 8% APR for 60 months comes to roughly $460 per month on about $22,680 financed.

Car Payment Calculator: How Monthly Payments Are Calculated

A car payment calculator applies standard loan amortization to the amount financed, and the amount financed is where most estimates go wrong. It equals vehicle price, minus down payment, minus trade-in equity, plus sales tax, plus title and doc fees. The monthly car payment then follows M = P [ r(1+r)^n ] / [ (1+r)^n - 1 ] on that full figure. Skipping tax and fees understates a typical car payment by $40 to $80 per month, which is exactly the gap that surprises buyers at signing.

Auto Loan Calculator With Trade-In

An auto loan calculator with trade-in handles the math most tools skip: trade-in equity (value minus anything still owed) reduces the amount financed, and in most states it also reduces the taxable amount, cutting sales tax. Negative equity works in reverse, rolling old debt into the new loan. This calculator handles both directions and flags rolled-over debt plainly, so part of your new car payment never hides inside the old one.

Auto Loan Calculator With Tax and Fees

Sales tax and fees belong inside the financed amount, not bolted on afterward, which is what an auto loan calculator with tax gets right. Tax rules vary by state: most tax the price after trade-in credit, while a few, including California, tax the full price. The toggle covers both rules, and on a $30,000 purchase with a $12,000 trade-in, the difference exceeds $800.

Car Loan Calculator: 48 vs 60 vs 72 Month Terms

Running the car loan calculator across terms shows the real trade: longer terms lower the payment and raise total interest, time underwater, and the odds of owing more than the car is worth. The term comparison row prices all three on your exact deal.

Example: $30,000 financed at 8%: $732/month for 48 months ($5,150 interest), $608 for 60 months ($6,500 interest), $526 for 72 months ($7,870 interest).

Used Car Loan Calculator: Rates and Down Payments

A used car loan calculator works identically to new, with two practical differences: used car APRs typically run 1 to 3 points higher than new car rates, and the common down payment guideline is 10% used versus 20% new, since used cars have already absorbed their steepest depreciation. Enter the used rate you're actually quoted and the calculator prices the deal exactly.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I use an auto loan calculator?
Enter vehicle price, down payment, trade-in, tax rate, fees, APR, and term. The auto loan calculator builds the true amount financed and shows your payment, total interest, and full schedule.
What is the monthly payment on a $30,000 car loan?
At 8% for 60 months, about $608 per month before tax and fees. The car loan calculator prices your exact deal with tax and trade-in included.
Does a car loan calculator include sales tax?
This one does. Tax applies to the price after trade-in credit in most states, or the full price in states like California, and the toggle handles both rules.
How does trade-in work in an auto loan calculator?
Trade-in equity reduces the amount financed like an extra down payment. If you owe more than the trade-in is worth, the negative equity rolls into the new loan and the calculator flags it.
Is a 72-month car loan a bad idea?
It carries the lowest monthly car payment and the highest total interest, and extends the period you owe more than the car is worth. The term comparison shows the exact cost of the lower payment.
What interest rate should I use in a car payment calculator?
Use the APR from your pre-approval or dealer quote. Used car rates typically run 1 to 3 points above new car rates, and your credit tier moves the rate more than anything else.
Is this auto loan calculator free?
Yes, completely free, with no signup, no lead forms, and the full amortization schedule visible and downloadable.

Related Calculators

Explore all Finance calculators →