Car Affordability Calculator
Start from what you can comfortably pay each month and find the car price that fits — instead of falling for a sticker you’ll regret.
Free, instant, and currency-agnostic — choose your currency inside the tool.
A common rule of thumb: keep all car costs under 10–15% of your take-home pay, and aim for a term of 48 months or less.
Budget from the payment up, not the price down
The safest way to set a car budget is to decide what you can pay each month without strain, then see what price that supports. This tool does the maths in reverse: your comfortable payment, deposit, rate and term become a clear maximum price to shop within.
Keep the term short. A four-year loan on a modest deposit protects you from owing more than the car is worth, which is where many buyers get stuck.
Don’t forget the cost of running it
The payment is only half the story. Insurance, fuel, servicing and tax can add as much again. Run your shortlist through the running cost calculator before you commit, and once you have a price, the auto loan calculator confirms the exact monthly figure.
Frequently asked questions
How much car can I really afford?
Work backwards from a monthly payment you are comfortable with rather than a sticker price. Enter that payment, your deposit, the APR and term, and the calculator shows the highest car price those numbers support.
What is the 20/4/10 rule?
A simple guideline: put at least 20 percent down, finance for no more than 4 years, and keep total monthly transport costs under 10 percent of your gross income. It keeps you out of negative equity and stress.
Should I budget for more than the payment?
Yes. Insurance, fuel, maintenance and tax can rival the loan payment. Use the running cost calculator alongside this one so the full picture fits your budget.
Does a bigger deposit increase my budget?
Directly. Every unit of deposit adds to the maximum price on top of what you can finance, and it reduces the interest you pay.