Monthly Car Ownership Cost Calculator
Add up what the car really costs each month: fuel from monthly miles, MPG, and price per gallon, plus insurance, maintenance, annual vehicle tax (split over 12 months), depreciation, loan payment, and parking. Leave at zero what does not apply.
Your monthly costs
Fuel (monthly)
Your data is not stored. Everything runs in your browser.
Total monthly cost
0
What the car costs per month
Annual projection
0
Guidance only, based on the numbers you enter. Depreciation, consumption, and taxes vary by model, use, and country. Not a substitute for an accountant or vehicle appraiser.
What true monthly cost means
It is everything the car takes from your budget in a typical month, not just the last fill-up. Annual costs such as vehicle tax are spread over 12 months so you can compare with your paycheck.
Why add it all up
Two cars with the same payment can have very different totals because of insurance, fuel, or depreciation. Seeing the monthly total helps you decide whether to keep the car, switch models, or use other transport.
When to use it
Use it when comparing owning a car with ride-hailing, negotiating a loan, or building a household budget. For one specific trip stretch, the fuel trip calculator is more direct.
How to read the result
- The hero shows the monthly total and annual projection (× 12).
- Cards and the list show how much each line weighs on the total.
- Depreciation is an estimate: enter a value that makes sense for your car.
How we calculate
Monthly fuel = mileage ÷ economy × price. Annual tax is divided by 12. Other lines are monthly amounts you enter.
Generic symbols: d monthly distance, E economy, p price, T annual tax, other lines in monthly amounts.
Practical tips
- Use average miles from the last three months, not just this week's tank.
- For yearly maintenance, add planned services and divide by 12.
- Depreciation can be market value today minus value in one year, divided by 12.
Related tool
To estimate fuel for one trip or stretch, use the fuel trip calculator →
Limitations
Does not include tickets, daily tolls, car wash, or accessories. Taxes and insurance vary by region. The result depends on the numbers you type.
Frequently asked questions
How do I estimate depreciation?
A simple approach: look up how much the model loses in one year and divide by 12. New cars lose more early on. If unsure, leave it at zero and review the rest.
Do I need to fill in fuel?
No, if you only want insurance, tax, and payment. If you start fuel, enter monthly mileage, economy, and price together.
Can I leave fields at zero?
Yes. Zero means that line is not included. Just do not leave everything at zero.
Does the payment already include interest?
Enter the amount that leaves your account each month. To split interest and principal, use the loan amortization calculator.