Auto Loan Calculator
Estimate a car payment the way a dealer builds it: price, tax, fees, down payment and trade-in.
| Monthly payment | $431.93 |
|---|---|
| Amount financed | $26,062.50 |
| Sales tax | $1,562.50 |
| Total interest | $5,036.52 |
| Total of payments | $31,099.02 |
| Total cost (with down payment and trade-in) | $37,099.02 |
How to use it
- Enter the negotiated price, your cash down payment and the trade-in offer.
- If you still owe money on the trade-in, enter the payoff amount; it is added to the new loan.
- Enter your state's sales tax rate and the fees on the buyer's order.
- Pick the term and enter the APR from your lender or dealer.
Formula
Sales tax = (price − trade-in) × tax rateAmount financed = price + tax + fees − down payment − trade-in + amount owed on tradeMonthly payment M = P × i ÷ (1 − (1 + i)^−n), i = APR ÷ 12
Example
A $30,000 car with $2,000 down, a $5,000 trade-in that still has $1,000 owed, 6.25% tax on $25,000 ($1,562.50) and $500 in fees means financing $26,062.50. At 6% for 72 months that is $431.93 a month, with $5,036.52 in total interest.
Questions
Does every state tax the price after the trade-in?
No. Most states subtract the trade-in before tax, but a few tax the full price. If yours does, add the tax on the trade-in value (trade-in × tax rate) to the fees box.
Is a longer term a good idea?
It lowers the payment but raises total interest, and you can owe more than the car is worth for longer. Compare 60 and 72 months in the term box.
What about rebates?
Subtract a cash rebate from the price, or add it to the down payment, depending on how your dealer applies it.
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Last reviewed 2026-10-11. Found a mistake? Tell us.