Know the drive-away cost

Auto Loan Calculator

Work out your monthly car payment including sales tax, title and registration fees, your down payment and any trade-in credit.

Vehicle & loan

Your results

$621.81

per month for 60 months

Total loan amount
$32,950
Total interest paid
$4,358
Total of payments
$37,308
Total cost of car
$42,308

Loan vs interest

How the loan amount is built

  • Vehicle price: $35,000
  • Less down payment: −$5,000
  • Less trade-in: −$0
  • Plus sales tax: +$2,450
  • Plus title & registration fees: +$500
  • Amount financed: $32,950

Amortization schedule

60 payments.

Payment-by-payment amortization schedule
Payment #DatePaymentPrincipalInterestBalance
1Oct 21, 2026$621.81$484.52$137.29$32,465.48
2Nov 21, 2026$621.81$486.53$135.27$31,978.95
3Dec 21, 2026$621.81$488.56$133.25$31,490.39
4Jan 21, 2027$621.81$490.60$131.21$30,999.79
5Feb 21, 2027$621.81$492.64$129.17$30,507.15
6Mar 21, 2027$621.81$494.69$127.11$30,012.46
7Apr 21, 2027$621.81$496.76$125.05$29,515.70
8May 21, 2027$621.81$498.83$122.98$29,016.88
9Jun 21, 2027$621.81$500.90$120.90$28,515.97
10Jul 21, 2027$621.81$502.99$118.82$28,012.98
11Aug 21, 2027$621.81$505.09$116.72$27,507.90
12Sep 21, 2027$621.81$507.19$114.62$27,000.70

Figures exclude dealer add-ons and any insurance products financed separately.

How Auto Loan Payments are Calculated

Your monthly car payment is based on the total amount you finance — not the sticker price of the vehicle. The calculator starts with the vehicle price, subtracts your down payment and trade-in credit, then adds the costs that most buyers finance:

  • Sales tax. Most states collect sales tax on the vehicle price, and it is usually rolled into the loan rather than paid up front. A 7% tax on a $35,000 car adds $2,450 to what you borrow — and you pay interest on that amount for the whole term.
  • Dealer and DMV fees. Title, registration, documentation and other dealer fees are commonly financed too. Every dollar of fees increases the loan balance, so you pay interest on them as well.
  • A bigger financed amount means a bigger payment. Once the total loan amount is set, the payment follows from your interest rate and term: longer terms lower the monthly payment but increase the total interest you pay.

Compare the "Total loan amount" figure above with the vehicle price to see exactly how much tax and fees add to your financing.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Usually, yes. In most US states, sales tax on a financed vehicle is added to the amount you borrow and repaid as part of your monthly payment. This calculator follows that convention: sales tax is computed on the vehicle price and added on top of the price after your down payment and trade-in are subtracted.