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Monthly Payment

Total Interest

Total Payment

“Auto” and car loan use the same math. More: general loan, personal, mortgage.

Estimate only. Home · Mortgage · Personal

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How your auto loan monthly payment is calculated

An auto loan finances a vehicle and is repaid in fixed monthly installments. Each payment splits into interest (the cost of borrowing) and principal (reducing what you owe). Your monthly amount depends on the amount financed, annual rate, and term. At 7% for 60 months on $22,000, expect about $436/month. Try our car loan calculator, car loan for $20,000, 60 month auto loan, affordability calculator, or personal loan calculator.

How to use this calculator

  1. Choose your currency — USD, GBP, EUR, or another to match your auto loan.
  2. Enter the loan amount — The amount you’re financing (vehicle price minus down payment and trade-in).
  3. Enter the interest rate — The annual rate (APR) from your lender or dealer.
  4. Enter the term in months — 36, 48, 60, or 72 are typical for auto loans.
  5. Click Calculate — See your monthly payment, total repayment, and total interest.

Real-world example

A $22,000 auto loan at 7% for 60 months gives a monthly payment of about $436. Over five years you’d repay roughly $26,150 in total—$4,150 in interest. A 48-month term at the same rate raises the payment to $528 but cuts total interest to about $3,350. Use the calculator above to compare your options.

What affects your auto loan payment

Term comparison: $22,000 at 7% APR

How loan term affects monthly payment and total interest:

TermMonthly PaymentTotal Interest
48 months$528$3,350
60 months$436$4,150
72 months$376$5,050

See 48 month and 60 month auto loan calculators for dedicated tools.

What to know when you shop

Get pre-approved from a bank or credit union, then compare dealer offers. Look at total interest, not just the monthly payment—a longer term lowers the payment but costs more overall. If taxes or fees are rolled in, add them to the loan amount. Compare with our car loan calculator, mortgage calculator, personal loan calculator, business loan calculator, or main loan calculator.

Frequently asked questions

Is an auto loan the same as a car loan?
In practice, yes—both usually mean installment financing for a vehicle. This page and our car loan page use the same formula; choose based on which labels feel clearer to you.
How much auto loan can I afford?
Affordability is personal. Map the payment from this tool against your budget, emergency savings, and other debt. Many people also cap total car-related spending so insurance and fuel stay manageable.
Does this include tax, title, and dealer fees?
Only if you add them to the loan amount. Otherwise the result is principal and interest only.
Can I calculate a lease with this tool?
No. Leases use different math (residual value, mileage, money factor). This calculator is for traditional installment loans.
What if my rate changes later?
This tool assumes one fixed rate for the whole term. If you refinance, run a new calculation with the remaining balance, new rate, and remaining months.
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