Auto Loan Calculator (2026)
Estimate monthly car payments with vehicle price, down payment, interest rate and loan term.
United States Calculator
Adjust Your Inputs
Move the sliders or type exact numbers. Results update instantly.
Instant Estimate
Your Results
Monthly Payment
$601
Based on your selected auto loan calculator assumptions. Try different sliders to compare scenarios.
Loan Amount
$30,000
Total Interest
$6,068
Total Paid
$36,068
These are planning estimates, not tax, legal or investment advice. Country rules, lender policies and tax rates can change.
How to Use the Auto Loan Calculator
Enter vehicle purchase price
Enter the negotiated car price including dealer options and taxes.
Subtract down payment and trade-in
Deduct cash down payment and net trade-in value.
Set loan APR & term length
Choose loan term (36, 48, 60, or 72 months) and financing interest rate.
Formula & Calculation Methodology
Monthly Payment = Loan Amount amortized over termThis calculator uses standard United States financial formulas, IRS thresholds, and amortization schedules. All results compute instantly in your browser with zero data stored or transmitted.
Calculation Examples & Scenarios
60-Month New Car Loan
$35,000 vehicle price, $5,000 down payment ($30,000 loan), 6.5% APR over 60 months.
48-Month vs. 72-Month Comparison
$30,000 loan at 7.0% APR.
Key Benefits
- Identify monthly payments before speaking to dealership finance managers
- Understand total interest cost differences between 48, 60, and 72-month loans
- Determine the optimal down payment to avoid negative equity (being underwater)
Common Use Cases
- New or used car shopping and budgeting
- Comparing dealer promotional 0% financing vs. cash rebate incentives
- Refinancing an existing high-interest car loan
The 20/4/10 Rule for Car Buying
Financial advisors frequently recommend the 20/4/10 rule when financing a vehicle in the US: put down at least 20%, finance for no more than 4 years (48 months), and ensure total vehicle expenses (loan payment, insurance, gas, and maintenance) do not exceed 10% of your gross monthly income.
Extending car loans to 72 or 84 months lowers the monthly payment on paper, but causes you to pay thousands more in interest and remain underwater longer.
Frequently Asked Questions
For borrowers with prime credit (scores 720+), new car rates typically range between 5.5% and 7.0%, while used car rates range from 6.5% to 9.0%. Subprime borrowers may see rates from 12% to 20%+.
Financial advisors recommend terms of 48 to 60 months. While 72 and 84-month terms lower monthly payments, they dramatically increase total interest and increase the risk of negative equity (owing more than the car is worth).
Put at least 20% down, finance the vehicle for no longer than 4 years (48 months), and keep total vehicle expenses (payment, insurance, fuel) under 10% of your gross monthly income.
Yes. Every $1,000 added to your down payment typically reduces your monthly auto loan payment by approximately $18 to $22 per month on a 60-month loan.
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