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Finance calculator

Car Payment Calculator

Estimate a dealer-style auto-loan payment with taxes, government and dealer fees, optional products, cash down, trade equity, and negative equity.

Change any value to update the estimate. Values stay in your browser.

Your estimate$534.63

estimated monthly car payment

Base loan payment
$534.63
Amount financed
$27,000.00
Net trade equity
$3,000.00
Taxes, title & registration
$0.00
Dealer fees & optional products
$0.00
Estimated cash due
$5,000.00
Estimated finance charge
$5,077.94
Total of loan payments
$32,077.94
Estimated payoff
60 months
Monthly payment breakdown

Every payment through payoff, split between principal and interest.

Months 1–12 of 60
MonthPaymentPrincipalInterestBalance
1$534.63$377.13$157.50$26,622.87
2$534.63$379.33$155.30$26,243.54
3$534.63$381.55$153.09$25,861.99
4$534.63$383.77$150.86$25,478.22
5$534.63$386.01$148.62$25,092.21
6$534.63$388.26$146.37$24,703.95
7$534.63$390.53$144.11$24,313.42
8$534.63$392.80$141.83$23,920.62
9$534.63$395.10$139.54$23,525.52
10$534.63$397.40$137.23$23,128.12
11$534.63$399.72$134.91$22,728.41
12$534.63$402.05$132.58$22,326.36

Formula used

Amount financed = vehicle price + taxes/title + dealer fees + chosen add-ons + trade-in payoff − down payment − trade-in value. The fixed payment uses the standard monthly amortizing-loan formula.

Worked example

A $35,000 vehicle with $2,950 of financed taxes and fees, $5,000 down, $3,000 trade value, and a $1,000 trade payoff creates a $30,950 amount financed. At 7% for 60 months, the estimated base payment is about $612.85.

How to understand the result

The result separates the base payment, amount financed, net trade equity, government costs, dealer fees and optional products, finance charge, total of payments, and every monthly principal-interest balance through payoff.

Assumptions and limits

  • Fixed APR and equal monthly payments
  • Entered add-ons and fees are included only when selected by the user
  • Sales-tax treatment and government fees vary by state
  • Extra principal is applied monthly without a prepayment penalty

Frequently asked questions

Should I enter the sticker price or out-the-door price?

Enter the negotiated vehicle price, then list taxes, government fees, dealer fees, and chosen add-ons separately in Advanced mode so they are not counted twice.

How does negative equity affect the payment?

If the current trade-in loan payoff exceeds the trade value, the difference reduces net trade equity and increases the amount financed when rolled into the new loan.

Does a longer term lower total cost?

A longer term usually lowers the monthly payment but can increase total interest.

Related guides

Browse every Kalcue guide.

Sources and review

Formula and explanatory content reviewed August 31, 2026. See the Kalcue methodology and editorial policy.