Auto loan affordability calculator

Calculating your monthly auto loan payment can help you determine exactly how much car you can afford before you even set foot at the dealership. Our car loan calculator can both help you estimate your monthly payment and the total interest you’ll pay over your loan term.

How to use the loan calculator

Your monthly payment depends on the total amount you borrow, your trade-in value, your loan term and your interest rate.

1. Select your loan term and interest rate

Enter your preferred auto loan term in years. You can pick from 24- to 72-months when you apply for a car loan, although 84-month terms aren’t uncommon for new cars.

The length of your loan will impact your monthly payments. The longer your term, the lower your monthly payments will be — but the more you’ll pay in interest. On the other hand, a shorter term means a higher monthly car payment but less paid in interest.

Your interest rate also plays a role in how much you can afford to spend. The better your credit score, the lower your interest rate will be — and the more car you’ll be able to buy.

2. Enter your income

You can enter your annual or monthly income to estimate how much car you can afford. And if you have any untaxed income or income from rental properties, enter them. These may mean you have extra flexibility when buying a car.

3. Enter your other expenses

Since your car loan should ideally be no more than 20% of your overall budget, enter any other loan or credit card payments into the car loan affordability calculator.

If you have dependents, enter them as well. This will help you get a more accurate estimate before you start shopping for a vehicle.

How much are the payments on a car loan?

To make the most out of our auto loan calculator, you’ll need to know your loan amount, term and potential interest rate. However, your monthly payments will also be affected by the sales tax in your state, your down payment, dealership fees, DMV fees and the trade-in value of your previous vehicle.

Current auto loan interest rates by credit score

_{Source: Experian’s State of the Automotive Finance Market Report — Q1 2021}

Compare auto loans

Select your credit score and state from the table to see lenders you might qualify for.

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Name	Product	Filter Values	Minimum credit score	APR	Loan term	Requirements
Carvana			No minimum credit score	3.9% to 27.9%	Varies	18+ years old, annual income of $4,000+, no active bankruptcies	Get pre-qualified for used car financing and receive competitive, personalized rates.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
car.Loan.com Car Loans			300	Varies by network lender	Varies by lender	Must be a US citizen with a current US address and employed full-time or have guaranteed fixed income.	Apply with a simple online application to get paired with a local auto lender. No credit and bad credit accepted.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
CarsDirect auto loans			No minimum credit score	Varies by network lender	Varies by network lender	Must provide proof of income, proof of residence, and proof of insurance.	Save time and effort with this lending service specializing in beginner-friendly or subprime car loan.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Auto Credit Express Car Loans			300	Varies	Varies	Must be employed full-time or have guaranteed fixed income of at least $1,500/month and be a current resident of the US or Canada.	Get connected with an auto lender near you, even if you have bad credit.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Monevo Auto Loans			500	3.99% to 35.99%	3 months to 12 years	Credit score of 500+, legal US resident and ages 18+.	Quickly compare multiple online lenders with competitive rates depending on your credit.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
LendingTree			Good to excellent credit	Starting at 0.99%	Varies by lender	18+ years old, good to excellent credit, US citizen	Compare multiple financing options for auto refinance, new car purchase, used car purchase and lease buy out.	More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
myAutoloan.com Car Loans			550	Starting at 1.89%		550+ credit score, no open bankruptcies, $24,000+ annual income, US citizen or permanent resident, 18+ years old	Get up to four offers in minutes through one simple application. Multiple financing types available including new cars, used cars and refinancing.	Go to site More Info	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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How do lenders determine my borrowing power?

Lenders consider your monthly living costs and weigh them against your monthly income to see if you can afford loan payments. However, it gets more involved when you factor in multiple incomes, credit card and other loan debts and financial dependents. And if this is your second vehicle, you may not qualify if you don’t have sufficient cash flow in your budget.

How can I increase my chances of approval?

If you want to qualify for a prime interest rate, you’ll need to demonstrate a strong ability to repay your loan. Here are a few tips:

• Spend less. Opting for a used car or a new car with a lower price tag will reduce the amount you need to finance. This means a lower monthly payment and may help you score a lower interest rate.
• Save for a larger down payment. Not only will a large down payment show you can handle your finances, it also helps you save on total vehicle costs.
• Pay down your debts. A lower debt-to-income ratio increases your cash flow and may improve your credit score — helping you qualify for lower rates on an auto loan.
• Add a cosigner. A cosigner can help increase your chances of qualify for an auto loan, especially if you have bad credit or insufficient income.
• Shop around. Don’t just rely on dealer financing. Get preapproved for a loan from multiple lenders to see what kind of auto loan rates you may qualify for.

Bottom line

Remember to take into account fees and sales tax when determining how much you can spend on a car. You can compare more auto loans to find the best lender to finance your next ride.