Find the amount financed
Add the vehicle, tax, fees, and any financed add-ons. Subtract cash down and positive trade equity. Add negative trade equity when the old loan payoff is larger than the trade value.
Know the payment
before the parking-lot pitch.
Start with the actual deal: price, tax, fees, financed add-ons, cash down, trade equity, old-loan payoff, interest rate, APR, and term. Then see the monthly payment and what the loan really costs.
Your deal stays on this page. HandyPebble does not upload, save, or send these numbers to a dealer or lender.Version 2.0.1: Payments now use the contract interest rate, while APR stays visible for offer comparison. Financed add-ons and clearer input checks are included too.
Estimated monthly payment
60 months · $33,050 financed at 6.50% interest · 6.50% APR
Planning estimate—not a dealer worksheet, lender quote, or tax advice.
One click. Made right in your browser.
Vehicle$35,000
+Tax, fees + add-ons$3,050
−Cash + trade equity$5,000
=Amount financed$33,050
Amount financed$33,050
Total interest$5,750
Total of loan payments$38,800
Estimated sales tax$2,450
Out-the-door price$38,050
Trade equity$0
Optional add-ons$0
Out-the-door price is shown before cash down, trade equity, and finance charges. State starting rates do not include every county, city, district, vehicle, rebate, or transaction rule. The estimate excludes car insurance, fuel, maintenance, and any add-on you do not enter. Confirm the final numbers with your DMV, lender disclosure, and itemized buyer’s order.
03
Watch the loan shrink
The yearly view shows scheduled principal and interest. Your lender may round individual payments a little differently.
| Year | Principal | Interest | Ending balance |
|---|
The deal, unpacked01 02 03
Monthly payment is the last step.
Apply the rate and time
The payment uses the financed amount, contract interest rate, and number of months. APR stays visible so you can compare the broader cost of competing offers.
Compare total cost
A 72- or 84-month loan can look friendly each month while keeping you in debt longer and adding more interest.
Straight answers
U.S. auto loan questions.
How is the amount financed calculated?
Start with the vehicle price, vehicle tax, entered fees, and financed add-ons. Subtract the cash down payment and trade-in value, then add any amount still owed on the trade. The result is the estimated new loan principal.
Why are interest rate and APR separate?
The contract interest rate is used to estimate the scheduled payment. APR is a comparison measure that can include certain finance charges in addition to interest. Use both numbers from the lender’s disclosure when they differ.
Does choosing a state give me the exact vehicle tax?
No. It loads a state-level planning starting point and a trade-in setting. County, city, district, vehicle-type, purchase-type, rebate, cap, and special excise rules can change the actual number. Replace the starting rate with the tax shown by your official state agency or itemized buyer’s order.
Why is there a trade-in tax credit switch?
State rules differ. Some states tax the vehicle price after an eligible trade allowance; others tax the full price or apply different limits. The state selector provides a starting setting, and the switch stays editable for the actual transaction.
What is negative equity?
Negative equity means the old loan payoff is larger than the trade-in value. If that difference is rolled into the new deal, you borrow money for part of the old car as well as the new one.
Does a longer loan always save money?
No. A longer term usually lowers the required monthly payment, but often increases total interest and can keep the loan balance above the car’s value for longer.
Does this include car insurance?
No. Car insurance is an ownership cost, not normally part of the auto loan payment. Budget for insurance, fuel, maintenance, parking, and registration renewals separately.
Will this exactly match a dealer worksheet?
It should provide a useful planning estimate when the inputs match, but it is not a dealer worksheet, lender quote, or tax advice. Final documents may include rebates, add-ons, state-specific rules, lender fees, payment timing, or different rounding.