Auto Loan Calculator
The full, honest cost of a car loan — not just the monthly payment. See your out-the-door price, the amount you'd actually finance, the total interest, the loan-term trap, and how many months you'd owe more than the car is worth.
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Why the monthly payment hides the real cost
Car shopping is built around one number: the monthly payment. But that number can be made to look small in ways that quietly cost you thousands — a longer term, rolled-in fees, or negative equity from a trade-in you still owe on. This calculator pulls every piece apart so you can see the whole deal at once.
It starts with the out-the-door price: the negotiated price plus sales tax and upfront fees. Subtract your down payment and trade-in equity (and add back anything still owed on the trade, plus financed add-ons like gap or an extended warranty) and you get the amount financed — the figure the interest actually runs on.
The two things a basic payment calculator never shows you:
- The loan-term trap: stretching the term from 36 to 84 months drops the payment, but the total interest climbs steeply — the calculator lines up all five standard terms so the trade-off is impossible to miss.
- The underwater stretch: a new car depreciates fastest in year one, so a long loan with little down can keep your balance above the car's value for years. The chart plots both lines and marks the month you finally surface.
None of it is uploaded anywhere — every number runs in your browser, and you can export the full amortization schedule (with the car's estimated value alongside each payment) to CSV.
Common questions
- What's the difference between the sticker price and the out-the-door price?
- The out-the-door price is what you really pay: the negotiated vehicle price plus sales tax and upfront fees like doc, title, and registration. The calculator shows it as its own line so the tax and fees can't hide inside a monthly payment.
- Does a trade-in lower my sales tax?
- In most states, yes — you're taxed on the price minus the trade-in value. A few states tax the full price regardless. Use the "tax credit on trade-in" toggle to match your state, and the tax line updates instantly. If you still owe more on the trade than it's worth, that negative equity rolls into the new loan.
- How long will I be underwater on the loan?
- It depends on your down payment, term, and how fast the car depreciates. With little down and a long term you can stay underwater for years. The calculator estimates the car's value over time, plots it against your balance, and marks the month you break even — the larger your down payment and the shorter your term, the sooner that happens.
- Is anything saved or sent anywhere?
- No. Every number runs in your browser. Nothing you type is uploaded, stored, or shared — and you can export the full amortization schedule to CSV with one click.
Knowing the payment is the easy part
Taly auto-splits every paycheck across your budget — so you can see whether a car payment actually fits before you sign, instead of finding out at the third statement. Your paycheck does the math.