Auto Loan Calculator

The Auto Loan Calculator shows your monthly car loan payment, total interest, and total cost. It helps you budget for one of the most common consumer loans.

Auto Loan Calculator

Currency
$
$
%
years

What the result means

Your monthly payment is calculated on the loan amount (car price minus down payment). Car loans have shorter terms than mortgages, so the total interest is lower, but the monthly payment is higher for the same loan amount.

How to use this calculator

  1. 1Enter the car price in rupees.
  2. 2Enter your down payment amount.
  3. 3Enter the annual interest rate.
  4. 4Enter the loan term in years (typically 3-7 years).
  5. 5Press Calculate to see your monthly payment, loan amount, total interest, and total cost.

The formula

The calculation uses a standard, verifiable formula. Here it is in its simplest form.

Loan amount = Car price − Down payment EMI = P × r × (1 + r)^n ÷ ((1 + r)^n − 1) Where: P = Loan amount r = Monthly rate (annual ÷ 12 ÷ 100) n = Number of months

What each variable means

SymbolNameDescription
PLoan amountCar price minus your down payment.
rMonthly rateThe annual interest rate divided by 12 and 100.
nMonthsThe loan term in months.

Step-by-step example

Example: ₹8,00,000 car with ₹1,00,000 down, 9% for 5 years

Car price:₹8,00,000Down payment:₹1,00,000Interest rate:9%Loan term:5 years
  1. 1Loan amount = 8,00,000 − 1,00,000 = ₹7,00,000
  2. 2Monthly rate = 9% ÷ 12 = 0.75% = 0.0075
  3. 3Months = 5 × 12 = 60
  4. 4EMI ≈ ₹14,531
  5. 5Total payment = 14,531 × 60 = ₹8,71,860
  6. 6Total interest = 8,71,860 − 7,00,000 = ₹1,71,860

Result

≈ ₹14,531/month, ₹1.7 lakh interest

What changes the result

  • Car loan terms are shorter (3-7 years), reducing total interest.
  • A larger down payment reduces the loan amount and monthly payment.
  • Car loan rates are often higher than home loans.
  • Cars depreciate quickly, so the loan can exceed the car's value early on.

Edge cases to be aware of

Unusual situations handled correctly

  • If the down payment equals the car price, the loan amount is zero.
  • Very short terms (1-2 years) have high payments but low interest.
  • Some lenders offer balloon payments at the end of the term.

Common mistakes

Avoid these errors

  • Using the annual rate directly instead of dividing by 12.
  • Forgetting to include insurance and registration costs in your budget.
  • Choosing a term too long for a depreciating asset.

Assumptions

  • The interest rate is fixed for the loan term.
  • Payments are made monthly.
  • No prepayments or restructuring occur.

Limitations

  • Does not include insurance, registration, or maintenance costs.
  • This is an estimate, not a loan quote.
  • Actual rates vary by lender and credit profile.

Frequently asked questions

How much down payment should I make on a car?+
A down payment of 20-30% of the car price is recommended. This reduces your loan amount, monthly payment, and total interest, and helps avoid being 'upside down' on the loan.
What is a good car loan term?+
Most car loans are 3-7 years. A shorter term means higher payments but less total interest. Since cars depreciate, avoid terms longer than the car's useful life.
Can I prepay my car loan?+
Yes, most lenders allow prepayment, though some charge a penalty. Prepaying reduces the principal and saves on future interest.