Auto Loan Calculator
Vehicle Financing Details
Results
| Monthly Payment | — |
|---|---|
| Total Loan Amount | — |
| Upfront Payment | — |
| Total of 60 Loan Payments | — |
| Total Loan Interest | — |
| Total Cost (price, interest, tax, fees) | — |
Visual Breakdown
Enter values and press Calculate to see the loan breakdown pie chart and balance path line chart.
How to Use This Auto Loan Calculator
The sticker price on the window is never what you finance. Sales tax, doc fees, your trade-in equity, and whether you roll fees into the note all shift the monthly number. I use this layout at the dealership to sanity-check the payment before signing—Total Price Mode when I know the car, Monthly Payment Mode when I know my budget ceiling.
- Choose a calculation mode. Total Price Mode starts from vehicle price; Monthly Payment Mode solves backwards for max affordable price.
- Enter term, rate, down payment, and incentives. Loan term is in months (typical auto loans run 36 to 72).
- Add trade-in details. Net equity is trade-in value minus any amount still owed on your current loan.
- Set sales tax and fees. Select your state for a default tax rate, or enter it manually. Add title, registration, and doc fees.
- Optionally finance taxes and fees. Check the box to roll those costs into the loan instead of paying upfront.
- Press Calculate. Review monthly payment, total loan, interest, total cost, charts, and amortization schedule.
Comparing a rebate vs promotional APR? Use the Cash Back or Low Interest Calculator. Considering a lease instead, try the Auto Lease Calculator.
Auto Loan Formulas and Practical Applications
An auto loan is a fixed-rate installment loan secured by the vehicle. Think of the amount financed as the sticker price minus every dollar that never hits the loan balance—down payment, net trade-in, and factory cash incentives.
Amount financed
Net Trade-In = Trade-In Value − Amount Owed on Trade-In
Base Financed = Price − Down Payment − Net Trade-In − Cash Incentives
If you finance taxes and fees, add sales tax on the taxable amount plus title/registration fees to the loan principal.
Monthly payment
M = P × [ i(1 + i)ⁿ ] / [ (1 + i)ⁿ − 1 ]
Where P is amount financed, i is monthly APR (annual rate ÷ 100 ÷ 12), and n is term in months. On a $40,000 net financed amount at 5% over 60 months, payment is about $754/month before any optional fee roll-in.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the monthly auto loan payment calculated?
The loan amount equals auto price minus down payment, trade-in equity, and cash incentives, plus optional taxes and fees if financed. Payment uses standard fixed-rate amortization over the term in months.
Should I finance sales tax and fees in the loan?
Financing taxes and fees lowers upfront cash but increases the amount you pay interest on. Check Include taxes and fees in loan to compare both scenarios.
What is Monthly Payment Mode?
Monthly Payment Mode works backwards from your target payment to estimate the maximum vehicle price you can afford at the entered rate and term.
How does trade-in affect the auto loan?
Net trade-in equity (trade-in value minus amount owed) reduces the amount financed, similar to an additional down payment.
Does selecting a state auto-fill sales tax?
Yes. Choosing your state from the dropdown can populate a typical sales tax rate, which you can override manually.