Auto Loan Calculator
Enter your vehicle price, trade-in value, down payment, and loan terms to estimate your monthly payment, including sales tax.
Last updated: September 21, 2026
Frequently asked questions
How does a trade-in affect my auto loan?
A trade-in reduces both your amount financed and, in most states, the taxable amount - a $5,000 trade-in on a $32,000 car with 6.5% tax saves you $325 in sales tax compared to paying tax on the full price.
Should I finance the sales tax on my car loan?
Many buyers roll sales tax into the loan rather than paying it upfront - this increases your amount financed and total interest paid, but keeps more cash on hand at purchase.
Is it better to put more money down or take a longer loan term?
A larger down payment reduces both your monthly payment and total interest paid, while a longer term only lowers the monthly payment while increasing total interest - a bigger down payment is almost always the better deal if you can afford it.
What's a reasonable loan term for a car purchase?
Shorter terms (36-60 months) mean higher payments but less total interest and less risk of owing more than the car is worth; longer terms (72-84 months) lower the payment but often mean paying significantly more in interest over the life of the loan.
Is a car loan calculator the same as an auto loan calculator?
Yes - "car loan," "automobile loan," and "auto loan" all describe the same type of financing, so a car loan calculator, automobile loan calculator, and auto loan calculator are interchangeable names for the same estimate: your monthly payment including trade-in value and sales tax.