Auto Loan Calculator
Estimate your monthly car payment including sales tax, dealer fees, down payment and trade-in value.
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Quick Tip
Enter the negotiated vehicle price, not the monthly payment the dealer quotes.
About This Tool
Why use Auto Loan Calculator?
This auto loan calculator works out the real monthly payment on a car, not just the payment on the sticker price. It adds sales tax and dealer fees, subtracts your down payment and trade-in, and then amortizes what is left over the term you choose.
Example: a $32,000 car with a $6,000 trade-in, $4,000 down, 6% sales tax and $500 in fees. Most states tax the price after the trade-in is deducted, so tax is charged on $26,000 and comes to $1,560. The amount financed is $32,000 + $1,560 + $500 − $4,000 − $6,000 = $24,060. At 7.5% over 60 months the payment is $482.11 and total interest is about $4,867.
Key Benefits
Trade-in tax credit handled
Most US states charge sales tax on the price after the trade-in is deducted, which can save hundreds. You can turn that credit off for states that tax the full price.
Fees financed, not hidden
Dealer fees roll into the loan and accrue interest for the whole term, so the calculator includes them in the amount financed.
Term comparison
A longer term lowers the payment but raises total interest. Switching terms shows both numbers at once so the trade-off is obvious.
How to use Auto Loan Calculator
- 1
Enter the negotiated vehicle price, not the monthly payment the dealer quotes.
- 2
Add your down payment and the trade-in value your dealer has agreed to.
- 3
Enter your state or local sales tax rate, and switch the trade-in tax credit on if your state taxes the price after the trade-in.
- 4
Add documentation, title and registration fees so they are financed rather than forgotten.
- 5
Set the APR from your loan offer and compare 48, 60 and 72-month terms side by side.
Best use cases
Check a dealer's quoted monthly payment before signing anything.
See how much a bigger down payment actually lowers the payment.
Compare a 60-month loan against a 72-month loan on total interest, not just monthly cost.
Work out what price range fits a payment you can genuinely afford.
How this tool compares
Auto Loan Calculator FAQs
Does a trade-in reduce the sales tax I pay?
In most US states, yes. Sales tax is charged on the price after the trade-in value is subtracted, so a $6,000 trade-in on a $32,000 car at 6% tax saves $360. California, Michigan and a few other states limit or disallow this credit, so switch the option off if your state taxes the full price.
Should I take a 72-month or 84-month car loan?
Longer terms lower the monthly payment but cost significantly more interest, and they keep you in negative equity for longer — owing more than the car is worth. If the only way to afford a car is a 72 or 84-month loan, the car is probably too expensive.
Is 0% dealer financing better than a cash rebate?
Not always. Run the loan twice: once at 0% on the full price, and once at your bank's rate on the price minus the rebate. Whichever gives the lower total cost wins. Large rebates often beat 0% financing on shorter terms.
What APR should I expect on a car loan?
The rate depends mainly on your credit score, the loan term and whether the car is new or used. Used-car loans usually carry higher rates than new-car loans, and rates rise as the term lengthens. Get a pre-approval from your own bank or credit union before visiting the dealer so you have a rate to beat.
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