Car loan calculator
Calculate your monthly car payment, total interest, and see a full amortization schedule. Includes trade-in value, down payment, and sales tax.
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How to use Car loan calculator
Enter your figures
Fill in Vehicle price, Down payment, Trade-in value and Sales tax rate. Values you change are used straight away, with no submit button.
Adjust the assumptions
Fine-tune Loan term and Interest rate (apr) to match your own situation.
Read the results
The totals and the breakdown below them update as soon as a value changes.
What this tool does
Monthly payment from the real price
Enter the vehicle price and the monthly payment, the total interest and the total cost come back as you type.
Down payment lowers what you borrow
Whatever you put down comes off the amount financed, so you can see straight away what another thousand up front saves you each month.
Trade-in counted like a down payment
Enter what the dealer is giving you for your current car and it comes off the amount financed alongside the down payment.
Sales tax included in the total
The sales tax rate is applied to the taxable amount, so the payment you see includes the tax rather than leaving it as a surprise.
Terms from two to six years
Loan term covers 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 months, so you can see what stretching the loan does to the payment and to the interest.
Runs fully in your browser with no upload and no sign-up
Nothing you enter is uploaded. The whole calculation runs in your browser, with no account and no sign-up.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good car loan interest rate in 2026?
As of 2026, average auto loan rates are approximately 5-8% for new vehicles and 7-12% for used vehicles, depending on credit score. Excellent credit (750+) typically qualifies for rates under 5% for new cars. Credit unions often offer lower rates than banks or dealer financing. Always get pre-approved before visiting a dealership.
Should I choose a longer or shorter loan term?
A shorter term (36-48 months) means higher monthly payments but dramatically less total interest. A longer term (72-84 months) lowers monthly payments but you pay significantly more interest and are more likely to go "underwater" (owe more than the car is worth). The average new car loan in the US is 68 months - financial advisors generally recommend keeping it under 60.
What is a good down payment for a car?
A common recommendation is 20% down for new cars and 10% for used. This reduces your loan-to-value ratio, lowers monthly payments, and reduces the risk of being underwater. A larger down payment also typically means a lower interest rate, since lenders see less risk.
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