Estimate car payments, total interest, and loan affordability before you step into a dealership. Free, accurate tools to help you finance smart.
Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases most people make, and the financing details — interest rate, term, down payment, and taxes — can cost or save you thousands. Our auto loan calculators help you understand the true cost before you sign, so you walk into the dealership informed and confident.
Calculate your monthly car payment, total interest, and full payback cost. Includes down payment, trade-in tax credit, sales tax, APR, and a complete amortization schedule.
Most PopularBuying a home too? Calculate your monthly mortgage payment including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance (PITI).
RelatedDealerships are experts at focusing your attention on the monthly payment — because a low monthly payment can hide an expensive loan with a long term and lots of interest. An auto loan calculator flips the script, showing you the total interest and total cost, not just the payment, so you can make a decision based on the full picture.
By experimenting with different down payments, terms, and interest rates before you shop, you'll know exactly what you can afford and what a fair deal looks like. That knowledge is your best negotiating tool.
| Term | Payment Size | Total Interest |
|---|---|---|
| 36 months | Highest | Lowest |
| 48 months | Higher | Low |
| 60 months | Moderate | Moderate |
| 72 months | Lower | High |
| 84 months | Lowest | Highest |
The shorter the term, the more you pay monthly but the less you pay overall. Use our Auto Loan Calculator to see your exact numbers.
For full calculations and money-saving tips, use our Auto Loan Calculator.
Yes, completely free with no signup. All calculations run in your browser and no data is stored or transmitted.
Yes. The calculator handles sales tax and applies the trade-in tax credit used by most US states (you're taxed on the price minus your trade-in value). It also factors in your down payment to show the true amount financed.
The calculator uses whatever APR you enter. Your actual rate depends on your credit score, the lender, the loan term, and whether the car is new or used. Get a quote or pre-approval for the most accurate rate, then enter it here.
Total cost rather than the monthly payment, since a longer term lowers the payment while raising the interest you pay overall. Arranging a rate with a bank or credit union before visiting the dealer gives you a benchmark. Our auto loan calculator shows both figures side by side.
Know your real monthly payment and total cost before you visit the dealership. Free and instant.
Open Auto Loan Calculator →Car loans are usually sold on the monthly payment, which is the number a buyer can most easily picture and the one most easily manipulated. Extending a term from four years to seven reduces the monthly figure noticeably and increases the total interest paid substantially. The payment goes down; the cost goes up.
The figure worth comparing between offers is total cost: the sum of all payments plus any fees, against the price of the car. That number is harder to make look attractive, which is precisely why it is the honest basis for comparison.
| Loan Term | Effect on Monthly Payment | Effect on Total Interest |
|---|---|---|
| 36 months | Highest | Lowest |
| 48 months | Lower | Higher |
| 60 months | Lower still | Higher still |
| 72 to 84 months | Lowest | Substantially highest |
Cars depreciate faster than a long loan pays down principal. On a seven-year loan it is common to owe more than the vehicle is worth for several years, which becomes a problem if you need to sell, or if the car is written off after an accident.