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U.S. Vehicle Financing Planner

Auto Loan Calculator

Estimate a car payment with trade equity or negative equity, cash down, rebates, sales tax, fees and optional extra principal. Choose the tax basis that matches your local quote and export the full schedule.

✓ Full amortization✓ Extra-payment analysis✓ CSV export✓ No sign-up

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Build an auto-loan scenario

Start with the negotiated vehicle price—not only the advertised monthly payment. Enter the transaction details shown on your written quote.

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$
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Trade-in
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$
Tax, fees and financing
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State rules differ. Match the taxable amount shown on a current written quote.
Loan terms
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The tool does not know your state tax law. Confirm the taxable amount, government charges, dealer fees and optional add-ons from the actual purchase documents.

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What does this auto loan calculator estimate?

The calculator combines the negotiated vehicle price with cash down, rebate, trade-in value, trade payoff, estimated sales tax and entered fees. It then calculates the fixed monthly payment, total interest, planned payoff and amortization schedule.

Use the Loan Calculator for a generic installment loan or the Mortgage Calculator for a home payment with ownership costs.

Start with total price: The FTC recommends getting the out-the-door price in writing, including charges and fees, before focusing on financing.

How amount financed is calculated

Before financed costs = vehicle price − cash down − trade value + trade payoff − rebate

If the “finance tax and fees” option is selected, estimated sales tax and entered fees are added to that balance. Otherwise, they are shown as part of cash due upfront.

A positive trade value reduces the purchase balance, while the payoff settles the old loan. When payoff exceeds trade value, their difference is negative equity and increases the new balance unless paid separately.

Why the sales-tax basis is selectable

Sales-tax rules vary by state and transaction. Some scenarios tax the full price; others may allow trade-in or rebate treatment. Because a nationwide calculator cannot determine the correct local basis from a ZIP code alone, this tool lets you match the taxable amount on your written quote.

Government title and registration charges, dealer documentation charges, delivery fees, market adjustments and optional products can also affect the out-the-door price. Enter only costs that apply to the scenario being compared.

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Trade-ins and negative equity

Negative equity means the payoff on the old vehicle is greater than its trade-in value. The CFPB and FTC warn that rolling this difference into the new loan increases the amount borrowed and total loan cost.

Review the purchase contract and financing agreement carefully to see exactly how the old payoff, down payment and amount financed are treated.

Compare the complete offer

A lower monthly payment can come from a longer term and may increase total interest. Compare the amount financed, APR and interest rate, term, monthly payment, finance charge, total of payments, out-the-door price and every add-on.

This calculator assumes monthly compounding and does not model daily simple-interest servicing, prepayment penalties, late charges, optional insurance, depreciation or future operating costs.

Auto loan calculator FAQs

The tool starts with vehicle price, subtracts cash down, trade-in value and rebate, adds any trade payoff, then adds sales tax and fees when you choose to finance them.
Negative equity occurs when the payoff on the traded vehicle exceeds its trade-in value. Rolling it into the new loan increases the new amount financed.
Choose the method that matches the written quote or local rule: full price, price less trade-in, price less trade-in and rebate, a custom taxable amount, or no tax.
No. The result covers the entered loan transaction and does not include vehicle insurance, fuel, maintenance, repairs or registration renewals.
No. Also compare the out-the-door price, amount financed, APR, term, finance charge, add-ons and total of payments.

Sources and methodology

Consumer guidance comes from current official CFPB and FTC resources.

CFPB — Comparing auto loan offersExplains amount financed, APR, interest rate, term, payment and total-cost tradeoffs. CFPB — Trading a vehicle with a balanceOfficial guidance on payoff amounts, trade value and rolling negative equity into a new loan. FTC — Financing or leasing a carGuidance on out-the-door price, add-ons, rebates, APR and written contracts. FTC — Auto trade-ins and negative equityExplains how an unpaid trade balance may be added to new financing.
Educational estimate: Confirm every amount against the retail installment contract and Truth in Lending disclosure.
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