USA: Loans & debt
Auto Loan Calculator
Work out your monthly car payment before you visit the dealer. Enter the price, down payment, trade-in, sales tax and fees, then the APR and loan term. See the amount financed, total interest and the full cost of the car.
How to use the Auto Loan Calculator
- Enter the car price, down payment and trade-in value.
- Add your sales tax rate and fees.
- Enter the APR you were offered.
- Choose a loan term and compare.
Formula
Example
A $35,000 car with $5,000 down, 6.5% tax and $800 fees at 7.5% for 60 months costs about $663 a month and about $6,700 in interest.
The 20/4/10 rule
A popular guideline: put at least 20% down, finance for no more than 4 years, and keep total car costs (payment, insurance, fuel) under 10% of gross income.
Get a better deal
- Get pre-approved by a bank or credit union first
- Negotiate the price, not the monthly payment
- Check the APR and term on the final contract
Related free tools
Frequently asked questions
Is 72 or 84 months a good idea?
It lowers the payment but costs more interest and risks owing more than the car is worth.
Is sales tax added to the loan?
Often yes, unless you pay it up front.
What APR is good?
It depends on credit score and whether the car is new or used. Compare credit union offers.
Does a trade-in reduce sales tax?
In most states, yes - you pay tax on the price minus the trade-in.
Results are estimates for planning, not financial advice. Confirm important decisions with a qualified professional. Your inputs stay in your browser and are not sent to Soft2Cloud.
Last updated: November 2026