1. Enter the transaction
Add vehicle price, cash down, trade-in value, payoff balance and financed title, registration or dealer fees.
Loans
Auto loan calculator
Estimate the amount financed and monthly car payment after cash down, trade-in equity, taxes and fees, then review the full amortization schedule.
Estimated monthly payment
$756.41
Amount financed
$38,200.00
Scheduled payment
$756.41
Total interest
$7,184.35
Estimated sales tax
$2,400.00
Trade-in equity
$0.00
Estimated payoff term
60 mo
Payment schedule
A breakdown of each payment into principal, interest and extra repayment.
| Month | Payment | Principal | Interest | Balance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $756.41 | $533.57 | $222.83 | $37,666.43 |
| 2 | $756.41 | $536.68 | $219.72 | $37,129.74 |
| 3 | $756.41 | $539.82 | $216.59 | $36,589.93 |
| 4 | $756.41 | $542.96 | $213.44 | $36,046.96 |
| 5 | $756.41 | $546.13 | $210.27 | $35,500.83 |
| 6 | $756.41 | $549.32 | $207.09 | $34,951.51 |
| 7 | $756.41 | $552.52 | $203.88 | $34,398.99 |
| 8 | $756.41 | $555.75 | $200.66 | $33,843.25 |
| 9 | $756.41 | $558.99 | $197.42 | $33,284.26 |
| 10 | $756.41 | $562.25 | $194.16 | $32,722.01 |
| 11 | $756.41 | $565.53 | $190.88 | $32,156.48 |
| 12 | $756.41 | $568.83 | $187.58 | $31,587.66 |
The first 12 months are shown initially.
Tax credits, fees, rebates and lender rules vary by state and transaction. Confirm the purchase worksheet before signing.
Calculation method
How the auto-loan payment is calculated
The amount financed equals vehicle price plus estimated tax and fees, minus cash down and net trade-in equity. The monthly payment and schedule use the standard amortized-loan formula.
Detailed guide
Car payment with trade-in, tax and fees
The amount financed can differ substantially from the advertised vehicle price. This calculator combines price, cash down, net trade-in equity, an estimated sales-tax base and financed fees before building the loan schedule.
If the amount owed on a trade-in is greater than its value, the negative equity increases the new loan. An optional extra monthly payment shows the potential interest and time savings.
Calculate an auto loan
2. Add tax and financing
Enter an estimated sales-tax rate, APR and term. Verify whether your state gives a trade-in tax credit.
3. Review total financing
Check the amount financed, scheduled payment, total interest and full downloadable schedule.
Amount financed and payment
Financed = Price + Tax + Fees − Down payment − (Trade value − Trade payoff)
The default tax estimate applies the tax rate to vehicle price minus trade-in value. State and local treatment varies.
The financed amount is amortized at the entered APR. Extra monthly principal shortens the modeled payoff term.
Auto-loan example
A $40,000 vehicle with $5,000 down, a $10,000 trade worth $7,000 after its payoff, $1,800 estimated tax and $800 in fees produces a $30,600 amount financed before interest.
Transaction details that change the payment
Negative equity
When trade payoff exceeds trade value, the difference is rolled into the new amount financed in this model.
Tax rules
Some states tax the full price, some allow a trade-in credit and rates may include local taxes. Replace the estimate with the dealer worksheet value when available.
Add-ons and rebates
Warranty products, GAP coverage, incentives and rebates affect financing. Add financed products to fees or subtract a cash rebate from price.
Decision guide
Calculate the financed price, not just the car price
Top auto-loan pages cover rebates, trade-ins, fees, dealer versus direct lending, and amortization. A low advertised rate can be offset by add-ons or the loss of a cash rebate, so compare complete transaction totals.
Reconcile the amount financed
Start with the negotiated vehicle price, add taxable fees and financed products, then subtract cash down, trade-in credit, and rebates that actually apply. Confirm how sales tax is handled in your jurisdiction rather than assuming every item is taxed the same way.
Separate financing from ownership
Insurance, registration, fuel, maintenance, repairs, and depreciation are outside the loan payment. Include them in the household budget. A used vehicle may have a lower purchase price but require a larger repair reserve.
Avoid an unnecessarily long term
A longer term lowers the scheduled payment but raises total interest and can leave the balance above the vehicle’s value. Compare a shorter term and an extra-payment case. Check whether financed add-ons or insurance receive a prorated refund after early payoff.
Offer comparison
- Use the same out-the-door price.
- Include financed fees and products.
- Compare total interest and term.
- Budget for ownership costs.
How to compare scenarios
Save a baseline, then change only one input at a time: amount, rate, term, or recurring payment. Record the supporting outputs as well as the headline result—contributions, interest, total cost, remaining balance, or target date. This isolates the assumption that actually changes the decision instead of hiding it inside several simultaneous edits.
Do not tune every assumption until the calculator produces a preferred answer. Start with a cautious case, follow with a central case, and treat the favorable case as an upside scenario. A calculator result is not a lender quote, market forecast, or tax determination; actual dates, rounding, fees, contract rules, and required payments must be checked in primary documents.
Keep enough precision in the inputs and round only the output used for a decision. If the estimate supports a transaction, loan, tax calculation, or long-term plan, repeat it with figures from the contract or official statement. Any difference helps identify the assumption that still needs verification.
Auto-loan calculator questions
What is trade-in equity?
It is trade-in value minus the remaining loan payoff. Positive equity reduces the new loan; negative equity increases it.
Does the calculator include sales tax?
Yes, using the rate and trade-credit assumption shown, but state rules may differ.
Are extra payments applied to principal?
Yes. The model applies the extra monthly amount after the scheduled payment.
Does the result include fuel, insurance or maintenance?
No. It estimates acquisition financing only, not the total cost of owning the vehicle.
Data sources
Updated: July 28, 2026
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