Compare a 60-month and 72-month loan
Use the same loan amount at two common terms to see how a smaller payment can still raise the total interest materially.
Auto Tools
Auto Loan Interest Calculator
Estimate monthly payment, total interest paid, and total amount paid on a car loan from the financed amount, APR, and term.
Why this page exists
A car loan can feel manageable when you focus only on the monthly payment. This calculator helps you look past that first number and estimate the monthly payment, total interest, and total amount paid so the real borrowing cost is easier to compare.
Interactive tool
Run the estimate
Enter your numbers and read the result first, then use the sections below to understand what affects the outcome.
Calculator
Auto loan interest calculator
Estimate monthly payment, total interest, and total amount paid on a car loan from the financed amount, APR, and term.
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Planning note
Last updated April 11, 2026. Use this tool to compare scenarios and plan ahead, then confirm important details with the lender, employer, insurer, contractor, or other qualified provider involved in the final decision.
How it works
What the calculator is doing
Enter the financed vehicle loan amount, APR, and loan term in months.
The calculator uses standard amortized-loan math to estimate the monthly payment and total cost over the full term.
Review the monthly payment next to total interest so you can see whether the term still fits your budget and long-term cost tolerance.
Understanding your result
Monthly payment matters for budgeting, but total interest often decides whether the loan still feels reasonable. Looking at both makes it easier to compare a lower payment against the true long-term cost.
Browse more auto toolsExamples
Ways people use this tool
Example scenarios help turn a quick estimate into a more useful comparison or planning step.
Check a loan offer before signing
Run the financed amount, APR, and term to estimate the total cost before focusing on the monthly payment alone.
Use the result with a vehicle budget
Compare the payment here with the car affordability calculator if you want to see whether the loan really fits your monthly cash flow.
FAQ
Common questions
Should I enter the vehicle price or the loan amount?
Enter the financed loan amount after any down payment, rebate, or trade-in has already reduced the balance being borrowed.
Does this include taxes and dealer fees?
Only if those charges are already built into the financed amount you enter. Otherwise, this estimate focuses on principal and interest only.
Why does a longer term cost more even with a lower payment?
Because interest has more months to build, which can make the total paid meaningfully higher even when the payment feels easier month to month.
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