USA: Loans & debt
Car Lease Calculator
Check a dealer's lease quote yourself. Enter MSRP, the negotiated price, down payment, residual value and money factor. The calculator splits the payment into depreciation and rent charge, adds tax and converts the money factor to an APR so you can compare it with a loan.
How to use the Car Lease Calculator
- Enter MSRP and the negotiated price.
- Enter down payment and fees.
- Enter residual % and money factor from the dealer.
- Enter term and your sales tax rate.
Formula
Example
$38,000 price, $2,000 down, 58% residual on a $40,000 MSRP, 0.0025 money factor, 36 months: about $568 a month with tax.
Lease or buy?
- Lease - lower payment, new car every few years, mileage limits
- Buy - own the car, no mileage limits, cheapest over many years
Negotiate
- The selling price (cap cost) is negotiable
- Ask for the buy rate money factor
- Avoid large down payments on a lease - they can be lost if the car is totaled
Related free tools
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert money factor to APR?
Multiply by 2,400. 0.0025 × 2,400 = 6% APR.
What is a good residual?
Higher is better for leasing - 55-65% for 36 months is common.
What about mileage?
Leases often allow 10,000-15,000 miles a year; extra miles cost 15-30 cents each.
Is tax charged on the whole car?
In most states only on the monthly payments.
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