Auto Loan Calculator

Your monthly car payment — with tax, trade-in and down payment figured in.

FREE TOOL · WORKS OFFLINE · NO SIGN-UP

Results update instantly as you type. Common terms: 36, 48, 60 or 72 months.

Monthly payment
$0
Amount financed
$0
Total interest
$0
Sales tax included
$0
Total cost of the car
$0

📅 Amortization Summary (by year)

YearPrincipal paidInterest paidBalance left

🚗 How to Use This Auto Loan Calculator

  1. 1.Start with the full price. Enter the car's sticker or agreed price before anything is subtracted.
  2. 2.Add your down payment and trade-in. Both come straight off what you need to borrow — a trade-in also reduces the sales tax in most states.
  3. 3.Enter your state sales tax rate. The tax is figured on the price minus the trade-in and rolled into the loan, the way most dealer financing works.
  4. 4.Use the dealer's APR and term. 60 months is typical. Try 48 and 72 months to see how the monthly payment and the total interest trade off against each other.
  5. 5.Judge the deal by the total cost. Price plus tax plus all the interest is what the car really costs you — not the monthly payment the salesperson quotes.

❓ FAQ

How is a car loan payment calculated?

With the same amortization formula used for any installment loan: payment = P × r × (1 + r)^n ÷ ((1 + r)^n − 1), where P is the amount financed, r is the monthly interest rate (APR ÷ 12) and n is the number of monthly payments. If the APR is 0%, the payment is simply the amount financed divided by the number of months.

How does sales tax work on a car purchase?

In most US states, sales tax is charged on the price minus your trade-in value, and when you finance, that tax is usually rolled into the loan. This calculator follows that convention: tax = (price − trade-in) × tax rate, added to the amount financed. Rules vary by state, so use your local rate.

Does a bigger down payment really help?

Yes. Every extra dollar of down payment is a dollar you do not borrow, so it lowers the monthly payment and the total interest you pay. It also protects you from owing more than the car is worth during the first years, when the car loses value fastest.

Is this auto loan calculator free?

Yes — 100% free, no sign-up, no limits. Everything runs in your browser; none of your numbers are uploaded or saved.

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