Part of the Automotive collection — 4 tools available
Car Loan Calculator — Monthly Payment Calculator
Calculate your monthly car payment and total interest. Enter loan amount, interest rate, and term to see the full cost of financing your next vehicle.
About This Calculator
Before you sign the paperwork at the dealership, know exactly what that car will cost you every month — and how much interest you'll pay over the life of the loan. On a $30,000 vehicle financed at 6.5% for 72 months, you'll pay over $6,200 in interest alone, bringing the true cost to more than $36,000. A shorter loan term saves thousands but raises the monthly payment. Our car loan calculator uses standard amortization math to show your monthly payment, total interest paid, and full cost of financing so you can negotiate with confidence.
The Formula Behind This Calculator
Monthly = P * [r(1+r)^n] / [(1+r)^n - 1] P = Price - Down payment r = Annual rate / 12 n = Years * 12.
Understanding the math helps you verify results and make better decisions for your project.
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How to Use
- 1Enter the total vehicle price (loan amount).
- 2Enter the annual interest rate (APR) from your lender or pre-approval.
- 3Enter the loan term in months (36, 48, 60, 72, or 84).
- 4Enter your down payment amount.
- 5Click Calculate for monthly payment and total interest.
When to Use
- →Comparing monthly payments across different loan terms before negotiating at the dealership
- →Deciding whether to take a 60-month or 72-month loan by seeing the total interest difference
- →Getting pre-approved and wanting to know your budget ceiling before shopping for a car
Tips
- ✓Get pre-approved for a loan before visiting the dealer — it gives you a rate to beat and negotiating leverage
- ✓Put at least 20% down on new cars and 10% on used to avoid being upside-down on the loan in the first year
- ✓Don't focus only on the monthly payment — dealers can extend the term to make any car look affordable while you pay thousands more in interest
FAQ
Is a 72-month car loan a good idea?
Shorter terms save significant interest. A 60-month loan is often the sweet spot. 72+ months means you may be upside-down on the loan for years.
How much should I put down on a car?
At least 20% for new cars and 10% for used. This covers first-year depreciation and helps you avoid being underwater on the loan.
Should I get pre-approved for a car loan?
Always. Pre-approval gives you a rate to beat at the dealership and keeps you from being pressured into dealer financing with higher rates.
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