FinanceUpdated May 2026

Auto Loan Calculator

Estimate your monthly car payment, total interest, and total cost. Includes tax, trade-in, and full amortization.

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Updated 2026

Auto Loan Calculator

Use this free auto loan calculator to find the monthly car payment, total interest, and total cost. Supports new, used, and refinance.
Loan Details
Enter your auto loan information

Calculate Your Auto Loan Payment

Enter vehicle price, down payment, and loan terms to see your monthly payment

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How Auto Loan Calculations Work

1

Net Loan Amount

Subtract down payment and trade-in value from the vehicle price to get your actual loan amount.

2

Monthly Payment

Using the amortization formula, we calculate your fixed monthly payment over the loan term.

3

Interest Breakdown

Each payment splits into principal and interest, with early payments favoring interest.

Tips for getting the best auto loan:

  • Improve your credit score: Higher credit scores typically qualify for lower interest rates
  • Larger down payment: Reduces the loan amount and may qualify you for better rates
  • Shorter loan terms: Less total interest paid, though monthly payments will be higher
  • Shop around: Compare rates from banks, credit unions, and dealer financing
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How our auto loan calculator works

1

Enter vehicle price and down payment

Type the negotiated price and any down payment, trade-in, or dealer rebate. The loan amount is price minus down payment.

2

Set rate and term

Type the APR (annual percentage rate) and loan term in months or years. Most auto loans are 36-72 months; longer terms lower payments but cost more interest.

3

Add sales tax if applicable

Enter your states sales tax rate. We compute tax on the vehicle price and add it to the loan principal so the monthly payment is accurate.

Key things to know about our auto loan calculator:

  • Average APRs in 2025: Prime credit gets 5-7% on new cars, 8-12% for average credit, 15%+ for subprime.
  • Term length matters: 60 months is a good rule of thumb; longer terms lead to being upside-down (owing more than the car is worth).
  • Compare lenders: For total cost of ownership, pair with our loan calculator and refinance calculator for rate shopping.

For related calculations, try our loan calculator.

Verified accuracy

Cross-checked against authoritative formulas (IRS, NIST, ACM) and updated for 2025/2026 tax years and rates.

Instant results

No server roundtrip. All math runs in your browser so results appear the moment you finish typing.

Your data stays private

We never collect, store, or transmit your inputs. Every calculation runs locally in your browser.

Learn as you calculate

Each calculator includes the formula, plain-English explanation, and FAQs so you understand the result.

Estimates only. Calculator results are for educational and planning purposes — not professional advice. For binding decisions on taxes, investments, health, or legal matters, consult a qualified professional.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about this calculator. Can't find what you're looking for? Email our team.

Most auto loans require 660+ for prime rates, 600-659 for near-prime, and below 600 for subprime (higher rates). Our auto loan calculator lets you enter any interest rate to model the difference. A 50-point credit improvement can save 1-2% on the rate, which on a $30,000 5-year loan equals $1,500-3,000 in interest.

How it works

How to calculate monthly car payments

Our auto loan calculator lets you estimate your monthly car payment, total interest, and total cost based on price, rate, and term in four steps.

  1. 1

    Enter the car price

    Type the negotiated price of the vehicle. Do not include taxes and fees - those are added separately by the lender.

  2. 2

    Enter the down payment and trade-in

    Type any cash down payment and the value of your trade-in. The loan amount is price minus these two amounts.

  3. 3

    Enter the interest rate and term

    Type the annual percentage rate the lender offered, and the loan length in months. Most auto loans are 36 to 72 months.

  4. 4

    Read the result

    The calculator shows your monthly payment, total interest paid, total cost of the loan, and the loan amount financed.

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