| Year | Interest | Principal | Ending Balance |
|---|---|---|---|
| No yearly schedule (no loan required) | |||
An auto loan calculator helps you estimate your car payment based on vehicle price (or target monthly payment), loan term, interest rate, and upfront costs like down payment, trade-in, sales tax, and registration fees. This tool also generates an amortization schedule (monthly or annual) so you can see how your balance drops over time.
Use it to compare loan offers, adjust down payment or trade-in value, and understand the true “out-the-door” cost — not just the sticker price.
This calculator estimates your auto loan using standard amortization math. Based on your inputs, it calculates:
Enter the car price, loan term, APR, incentives, down payment, trade-in, state tax, and fees. The calculator estimates your monthly payment and totals.
Enter the monthly payment you want to target. The calculator estimates what car price might fit that payment, then calculates taxes, fees, and total cost from there.
Monthly Payment mode is helpful for budgeting — but always confirm with real lender quotes and dealership pricing.
Many buyers focus only on monthly payment, but the true cost includes multiple components:
If you include taxes/fees in the loan, you may need less cash upfront — but you’ll usually pay more interest because you’re financing a larger amount.
Sales tax rules can vary by state. Some states have no state sales tax on vehicle purchases, and some states handle trade-in tax credits differently. This calculator lets you choose a state and apply a sales tax rate to estimate your costs.
These are common DMV and paperwork-related costs that can be paid upfront or financed depending on your loan setup.
Dealership fees, local taxes, and lender rules can change final numbers. Use this tool for planning, then verify with your dealer/lender.
Tip: If your “Sales Tax” looks too high or too low, double-check your selected state and tax rate.
Trade-in can reduce your upfront cash needs — but it depends on whether you still owe money on your current car. This calculator considers:
The amortization schedule shows how each payment is split between interest and principal, and how your balance changes. Use:
Note: Actual lender schedules can differ slightly due to rounding and payment posting rules.
Try the calculator with 48, 60, and 72 months. You’ll often see a big difference in total interest even if the monthly payment difference looks small.
Differences can happen due to lender fees, dealership add-ons, local taxes, rounding, exact APR vs rate, and the timing of fees/taxes being included in the financed amount.
If you want lower upfront cost, including them in the loan can help. But financing more usually increases total interest.
Incentives reduce the effective vehicle price, which can reduce the amount you need to finance and lower total interest.
It means you owe more on your current car than its trade-in value. That difference can be added to the new loan, increasing your financed amount.
No. This tool estimates financing cost (payment, tax, fees, interest). Running costs like insurance, fuel, and maintenance vary by driver and vehicle.
Yes — enter the used car purchase price and your loan terms. Used car APR and fees may be different, so compare scenarios.
This auto loan calculator is for educational and informational purposes only and does not provide financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Results are estimates and may differ from dealership or lender calculations due to fees, local taxes, rounding, and loan-specific terms. Always confirm details with your lender or a qualified professional.