Auto Loan Calculator – Payment, Budget & Payoff

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Taxes & Fees
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Monthly Payment

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Payoff Date: -
  • Principal $0
  • Interest $0
  • Tax & Fees $0
Amortization Schedule
Year Principal Interest Balance

Auto Loan Payment Calculator

This free auto loan calculator works as a complete auto loan payment calculator so you can estimate your monthly car payment before you ever talk to a dealer. Enter the vehicle price, down payment, trade-in value, sales tax, title and registration fees, APR, and loan term to see your estimated monthly payment and total loan cost in seconds.

Unlike simple car payment estimators that ignore taxes and dealer fees, this calculator includes those costs by default. That means the payment you see is much closer to the real number you will see on your final paperwork.

Auto Loan Budget & Affordability Calculator

If you are not sure how much car you can afford, switch to the Calculate Budget tab. In this mode the tool acts as an auto loan budget and affordability calculator: you start with a comfortable monthly payment and your expected down payment or trade-in, and the calculator estimates a realistic target vehicle price.

Auto Loan Payoff Calculator & Amortization Schedule

Every time you run a calculation, the results panel also behaves like an auto loan payoff calculator

Many drivers search for an "auto loan calculator with extra payments". This tool does not yet have a dedicated extra payment field, but you can still see how paying more each month changes your payoff timeline. Try shorter loan terms or a higher down payment to simulate extra payments and reduce total interest.

  • Compare 36, 48, 60, 72, or 84 month terms side by side.
  • See how a larger down payment or trade-in lowers interest costs.
  • Use the amortization schedule to understand how quickly you build equity.

How to Use This Auto Loan Calculator

  1. Choose a mode: Select Calculate Payment if you already have a car in mind and want to estimate the monthly payment. Select Calculate Budget if you only know how much you can pay each month.
  2. Fill in the fields: Enter the vehicle price or desired payment, down payment, trade-in value, sales tax rate, title and registration fees, documentation fees, APR, and loan term. You can use the preset term buttons to quickly switch between common options.
  3. Review the breakdown: Click Calculate and check the monthly payment, payoff date, total interest, and total cost. Expand the cost breakdown and amortization sections to see how each part of the loan contributes to the final amount you pay.

FAQs About Auto Loans and Car Payments

How much car can I afford based on my salary?

A common rule of thumb is the 20/4/10 rule: put at least 20% down, finance the car for no more than 4 years, and keep your total monthly auto expenses (including insurance and gas) under 10% of your gross monthly income. Using the budget mode in this calculator helps you stay within those limits.

Does a trade-in reduce sales tax?

In many regions, a trade-in can reduce the amount of sales tax you pay. If you buy a car for $30,000 and your trade-in is worth $10,000, you may only be taxed on the difference ($20,000). That tax credit effectively makes your trade-in more valuable than selling the car privately for the same amount.

Is a 72-month car loan a bad idea?

A 72-month loan can lower your monthly payment, but it usually increases your total interest cost and keeps you “upside down” (owing more than the car is worth) for longer. When possible, it is usually better to stick with 60 months or less, even if that means choosing a less expensive vehicle.

What fees should I include in the calculator?

Beyond the sticker price, you should include sales tax, title and registration fees, and any dealer documentation (doc) fees. This calculator has dedicated fields for these items so your estimate is closer to the real monthly payment you will see at the dealership.