Car loan calculator
Free car loan calculator with instant monthly payment, total interest, and full auto loan cost. Factors in down payment, trade-in, and sales tax. Private, any currency.
How to use
- Enter the vehicle price. Type the negotiated price of the car, then pick your currency from the selector so amounts display correctly.
- Add down payment and trade-in. Enter your cash down payment and any trade-in value. Both reduce the amount you actually finance.
- Set sales tax and APR. Enter your local sales tax rate and the annual percentage rate (APR) the lender quotes, each as a percentage.
- Choose the loan term. Set how long you'll repay, in months or years. A longer term lowers the monthly payment but raises total interest.
- Read your results. Instantly see the monthly payment, total amount financed, total interest, and the full cost of the loan.
Features
- True out-the-door math. Combines vehicle price, sales tax, down payment, and trade-in into the real amount financed, not just the sticker price.
- Instant monthly payment. Your estimated payment updates the moment you change any input, using standard amortizing (PMT) loan math.
- Full interest and cost picture. See total interest and total cost alongside the payment, so the real price of borrowing is clear at a glance.
- Any currency you need. A currency selector applies the symbol you choose; the underlying calculation is the same in every currency.
- Private, instant, and free. Calculations run entirely in your browser with no upload, no account, no usage limits, and no cost.
When to use it
- Compare a 48-month and a 72-month auto loan to see how much extra interest the longer term costs.
- Check how a bigger down payment or a higher trade-in value lowers your monthly car payment.
- Estimate the out-the-door payment including sales tax before you visit the dealership.
- See whether a lower APR from your bank beats the dealer's financing offer on the same car.
- Set a target monthly payment and work backward to a price range that fits your budget.
Is it private?
The vehicle price, down payment, trade-in, tax rate, APR, and term you enter are processed locally in your browser and are never uploaded.
Frequently asked questions
Is this car loan calculator free and private?
Yes. It's completely free with no account, email, or usage limits, and every calculation runs locally in your browser. The numbers you enter are never uploaded to any server.
How is the monthly car payment calculated?
It uses the standard amortizing loan (PMT) formula on the amount financed: M = P x r x (1 + r)^n / ((1 + r)^n - 1), where P is the amount financed, r is the monthly rate (APR divided by 12), and n is the number of monthly payments. The amount financed is the vehicle price plus sales tax, minus your down payment and trade-in.
How are sales tax, down payment, and trade-in handled?
Sales tax is added to the vehicle price, while your down payment and trade-in are subtracted, to arrive at the amount you finance. Tax rules vary by region, and some places reduce the taxable amount by your trade-in, so treat the tax figure as an estimate and confirm your local rules.
What's the difference between APR and interest rate?
The interest rate is the cost of borrowing the principal. APR is broader and can include certain lender fees, so it's usually slightly higher. This calculator applies the rate you enter directly, so for the closest result, enter the APR your lender quotes.
Does a longer loan term save me money?
A longer term lowers each monthly payment but means more payments and more interest overall, so the car costs more in total. Try a few terms to see the trade-off between an affordable payment and the lowest total cost.
Why might my dealer quote differ from this estimate?
Dealers may add title, registration, documentation, and other fees, plus optional add-ons like warranties or gap insurance, and exact rate rounding. This tool covers price, tax, down payment, trade-in, and interest, so treat the result as a close estimate.
Is this financial advice?
No. It's an educational planning tool only, and the results are estimates. Your actual rate, fees, and taxes depend on your lender, region, and situation, so confirm any real numbers with the lender or a qualified advisor.
Last updated