AUTO LOAN MATH

Car payment calculator

Change the purchase price, down payment, APR and loan term to see how the monthly payment and total interest move together.

INTERACTIVE EXAMPLE

Calculate the payment

These defaults use a 6.5% sales-tax assumption, $700 in fees, $186/month insurance, 1,000 miles/month, 25 MPG and a $900/year maintenance reserve.

Loan term
Estimated loan payment$617/mo
Estimated true monthly cost$1,012/mo
Total interest$6,226

What changes a car payment the most?

The amount financed, interest rate and number of months all matter. Reducing the amount financed lowers both the balance and the interest charged on that balance. Extending the term usually reduces the monthly payment because the balance is spread across more payments, but the longer payoff period can increase total interest.

PRICEChanges principal

A lower negotiated selling price reduces the amount that needs to be financed.

APRChanges borrowing cost

Even when the vehicle price stays the same, a different APR changes the payment and total interest.

TERMChanges the tradeoff

More months can lower the payment while keeping you in debt longer.

Payment versus out-the-door price

A listing price is not necessarily the amount financed. Taxes, title fees, dealer fees, a trade-in payoff and your down payment can all change the final balance. Use Advanced Details in the full calculator when you have the dealer's actual numbers.