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Auto Loan Calculator
Car shopping mixes price, trade-in, tax, and fees before financing even starts. This calculator estimates amount financed and a fixed monthly payment so you can compare terms before you sit in the F&I office.
Last reviewed July 30, 2026.
Estimate only. Some states tax trade-ins differently, and dealer fees vary.
When to use this
- Budgeting a monthly payment before visiting a dealer
- Comparing 48-, 60-, and 72-month terms at the same APR
- Seeing how down payment or trade-in changes what you finance
Worked example
Vehicle $32,000, down $4,000, trade-in $0, tax 7%, fees $500, APR 6.9%, 60 months. Taxable amount ≈ $32,000, tax ≈ $2,240, amount financed ≈ $30,740. The tool then computes the level monthly payment and total interest over the term.
Common mistakes
- Focusing only on monthly payment while stretching the term and total interest
- Ignoring dealer fees and documentation charges in the financed amount
- Assuming every state taxes trade-ins the same way
How it works
We estimate tax on (price − trade-in), then finance (price − down − trade-in + tax + fees). The payment uses the standard installment formula with monthly rate = APR ÷ 12 ÷ 100. Dealer and state rules can differ—treat results as planning estimates.
How to use
- Enter vehicle price, down payment, and trade-in.
- Set sales tax percent, fees, APR, and term in months.
- Compare monthly payment, interest, and total of payments.
Related on this site
- Mortgage Calculator — Estimate monthly payment with principal, interest, taxes, insurance, PMI, and extra payments.
- US Sales Tax Calculator — Add or remove sales tax using approximate rates for all 50 states and D.C.
FAQ
How is sales tax handled?
Tax is estimated on price minus trade-in, then added into the financed amount with fees. Your state may calculate this differently.
Is a longer loan always better?
A longer term usually lowers the monthly payment but increases total interest. Compare both numbers, not just the payment.
Does this include warranties or gap insurance?
Only if you fold those costs into the fees (or price) field yourself.
Can I model a balloon payment?
Not in this version—the payment assumes full amortization over the term.
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