Auto Loan Calculator
Estimate car loan payments including down payment, trade-in, sales tax, and fees.
Monthly Payment
Total Loan Amount
Total Interest
Sales Tax
Total Cost
Upfront vs Financed Breakdown
| Vehicle Price | |
| Sales Tax | |
| Other Fees | |
| Down Payment (upfront) | |
| Trade-in (upfront) | |
| Total Upfront | |
| Amount Financed |
How the Auto Loan Calculator Works
An auto loan calculator estimates your monthly car payment based on the vehicle price, your down payment, any trade-in value, sales tax, and fees. The monthly payment is calculated using the standard amortization formula M = P · r · (1 + r)n / ((1 + r)n − 1), where P is the amount financed, r is the monthly interest rate, and n is the number of monthly payments.
How Sales Tax and Trade-in Affect the Amount Financed
In many regions, a trade-in reduces the taxable amount of your purchase. This calculator applies sales tax to the vehicle price minus the trade-in value (taxable amount = max(0, price − trade-in)). The amount financed is then vehicle price + sales tax + fees − down payment − trade-in. A larger down payment or trade-in lowers the amount financed, which reduces both your monthly payment and the total interest you pay over the life of the loan.
Upfront vs Financed Costs
Your down payment and trade-in are paid upfront and are not financed. Everything else — the remaining vehicle price, sales tax, and fees — is rolled into the loan. The total cost of the vehicle combines your upfront payments with the sum of all monthly payments, including interest.
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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates for educational purposes only. Actual loan terms, interest rates, taxes, and fees vary by lender and location. Consult with a qualified lender or financial advisor before making financing decisions.