Vehicle price and rebates
Manufacturer rebates can lower the purchase amount before financing. Dealer discounts, rebates, and negotiated price should be entered consistently.
Car payment and financing calculator
Auto Loan Calculator
Estimate a monthly car payment, total interest, total vehicle cost, trade-in equity, sales tax, fees, and amortization schedule. You can also reverse the math to estimate a vehicle price from a target monthly payment.
Example payment
$755/mo
$50,000 vehicle, $10,000 down, 60 months, 5% APR.
Vehicle financing inputs
Calculate auto loan payment
Tax and financing assumptions
Sales tax and trade-in tax rules vary by location. Use the checkbox settings to match the estimate to your shopping scenario.
Monthly payment
Total loan amount
Sales tax
Upfront payment
Total loan interest
Total cost
Payoff time
Loan breakdown
Formula used
Auto loan amortization schedule
Scroll inside the table to review how each car payment is split between principal, interest, and remaining balance.
| Month | Payment | Principal | Interest | Ending balance |
|---|
How to use this auto loan calculator
- Choose Total price to estimate monthly payment from a vehicle price.
- Choose Monthly payment to estimate the vehicle price that may fit a target payment.
- Enter loan term, interest rate, rebate, down payment, trade-in value, amount owed, tax, and fees.
- Adjust whether sales tax and fees are financed or paid upfront.
- Review total loan amount, total interest, total cost, and the amortization schedule.
Auto loan payment formula
For a fixed-rate auto loan, the monthly payment uses the standard amortization formula:
M = P x r(1 + r)^n / ((1 + r)^n - 1)
M is the monthly payment, P is the financed amount, r is the monthly interest rate, and n is the number of monthly payments.
What this calculator includes
Trade-in equity
Trade-in value minus the amount owed can reduce the financed amount. Negative equity can increase the loan balance.
Tax and dealer fees
Sales tax, title, registration, documentation, destination, and other fees can change both the amount financed and the upfront cash needed.
Buying and financing considerations
Dealer financing vs. direct lending
A dealer may offer convenience or promotional rates, while a bank or credit union may provide a clearer preapproval. Compare APR, fees, and total interest, not just the monthly payment.
Longer terms reduce payment but raise risk
A longer auto loan can make the monthly payment easier to handle, but it usually increases total interest and may keep you underwater longer.
Cash purchase comparison
Paying cash avoids interest, but it also uses money that might be needed for insurance, repairs, emergency savings, or other priorities.
Related tools
- Payment Calculator for general fixed-rate loan payment, payoff time, and loan amount estimates.
- Interest Calculator for compound interest, APY, contributions, taxes, and inflation-adjusted value.
- Mortgage Calculator for home loan payment and amortization estimates.
- Discount Calculator for price reductions, coupons, and tax estimates.
- Percentage Change Calculator for comparing price changes, markups, and markdowns.
Method, assumptions, and limitations
This calculator uses standard fixed-rate loan amortization math. It does not pull live lender rates, dealer offers, credit approval data, insurance quotes, state registration tables, or local tax rules.
Sales tax, fees, trade-in tax treatment, rebates, dealer documentation fees, and financing rules vary by location and seller. The estimate should be checked against lender disclosures and the final purchase agreement.
Data and source notes: The CFPB auto loan resources recommend comparing loan options, asking questions before shopping, understanding what is negotiable, and reviewing paperwork before closing the deal. This calculator supports that comparison by showing payment, interest, total cost, trade-in equity, tax, and fees, but it does not replace a dealer worksheet or lender contract.
Review CFPB auto loan resources.
Editorial note: CalcToolBox shows the formula, inputs, assumptions, and limitations directly on the page so shoppers can inspect how the estimate is produced.
Last reviewed: July 1, 2026.
FAQ
How do I calculate a monthly car payment?
Estimate the amount financed, convert the APR to a monthly rate, and apply the fixed-payment amortization formula over the loan term.
Does this calculator include sales tax and registration fees?
Yes. Enter sales tax and estimated title, registration, documentation, or other fees. You can choose whether those amounts are financed or paid upfront.
How does a trade-in affect an auto loan?
Positive trade-in equity can reduce the amount financed. If you owe more than the trade-in is worth, the negative equity can increase the loan balance.
Why is total cost higher than the vehicle price?
Total cost can include interest, sales tax, fees, and any negative trade-in equity. A lower monthly payment does not always mean a lower total cost.
Can I estimate the car price from a target monthly payment?
Yes. Use the Monthly payment mode to reverse the calculation and estimate a vehicle price that fits the payment, term, rate, tax, and fee assumptions.
Is this an auto loan approval or lender quote?
No. This is a planning estimate, not a credit approval, loan offer, or financial advice.
Should I focus on monthly payment or total cost?
Review both. Monthly payment affects cash flow, but total cost shows the combined effect of vehicle price, interest, taxes, fees, rebates, and negative equity.
Does this calculator use live dealer or lender rates?
No. It uses the rate, price, tax, fee, rebate, down payment, and trade-in assumptions entered by the user. Compare the result with dealer and lender documents before signing.
This calculator is for general informational purposes and simple planning estimates. It does not provide auto financing, tax, legal, insurance, or lending advice. Verify vehicle price, taxes, fees, rebates, trade-in value, loan terms, and APR with the dealer, lender, and qualified professionals.