$35k car, $5k down, 7% tax, 6.5% APR, 72 months
- Loan = (35k − 5k) × 1.07 = $32,100
- Payment ≈ $532.22
- Total paid ≈ $38,320
finance calculator
Car Payment Calculator
Enter vehicle price, down payment, trade value, tax rate, and APR to estimate your monthly car payment.
Results
- Monthly payment
- $540 USD
- Total paid over term
- $38,851 USD
How to use this calculator
- Enter vehicle price, down payment, and trade-in value.
- Enter sales tax %, APR, and term in months.
- We compute the financed amount, monthly payment, and total paid over the term.
Inputs explained
- Vehicle price
- Sticker or negotiated price before taxes/fees.
- Down payment
- Cash you’re paying upfront.
- Trade-in value
- Value of your trade; reduces amount financed.
- Sales tax %
- Local tax rate applied to the taxable price.
- Interest rate (APR)
- Annual percentage rate of the auto loan.
- Term (months)
- Number of monthly payments (e.g., 36–84 months).
How it works
We subtract your down payment and trade value from the sticker price, apply sales tax, then calculate the payment using the APR and term.
Outputs include monthly payment and the total you’ll spend across the full term.
Formula
Loan amount = (Price − Down − Trade) × (1 + tax) Monthly payment = Loan * [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n − 1]
When to use it
- Comparing dealer or bank offers with different rates and terms.
- Seeing how a larger down payment or higher trade value lowers payments.
- Budgeting monthly cost before visiting the dealership.
Tips & cautions
- Longer terms lower monthly payments but increase total paid—check both outputs.
- Add fees or negative equity into the vehicle price for a conservative estimate.
- Tax rules vary by state; adjust the tax rate or taxable amount if needed.
- Does not include registration, documentation fees, or add-ons unless added to price.
- Assumes fixed-rate, fully amortizing monthly payments.
- Simple tax treatment; some states tax price minus trade or have caps/exemptions.
Worked examples
Same car with $7k down
- Loan = (35k − 7k) × 1.07 = $29,960
- Payment drops to ≈ $463
Deep dive
This car payment calculator estimates monthly payment and total cost after down payment, trade value, sales tax, APR, and term. Enter your deal details to see what you’ll really pay each month.
Use it to compare offers and spot the total cost of stretching the term. Add fees or negative equity into the price for a conservative estimate.
FAQs
- Does this include registration or dealer fees?
- No. Add them to the vehicle price before running the calculation, or include them as part of the sales tax percentage.
- Can I compare multiple terms?
- Yes. Adjust the term input to 36, 48, 60, or 72 months to see how payments change.
Related calculators
finance
Mortgage Payment Calculator
Estimate your monthly mortgage payment, total interest, and payoff schedule with one input-driven tool.
finance
Mortgage Payoff Calculator
Estimate how many months it will take to pay off your mortgage when you make a fixed monthly payment.
finance
Loan Payment Calculator
Calculate the monthly payment for any personal, auto, or student loan using the principal, APR, and term.
finance
Compound Interest Calculator
See how fast your savings grow when interest compounds daily, monthly, quarterly, or annually.
Estimates only. Dealership financing programs may include additional fees or incentives.