Finance · free · no sign-up
Auto Lease Calculator
Estimate the monthly payment on a car lease from the price, residual value and money factor, and see how much of it is depreciation versus finance charge.
A lease payment looks simple in the advertisement and gets complicated at the dealership. This calculator rebuilds the payment from its real parts, depreciation and finance charge, so you can check any lease quote before you sign.
How to use this calculator
- Enter the car's negotiated price and any down payment or trade-in credit.
- Add the lease term in months and the residual value percentage.
- Enter the money factor from the dealer (or convert an APR by dividing it by 2400).
- Press calculate to see the monthly payment and its breakdown.
The two halves of a lease payment
You pay for the value the car loses while you use it (price minus residual), plus a finance charge on that amount. A higher residual lowers the payment, which is why slow-depreciating cars lease cheaply. Always negotiate the car price first, exactly as if you were buying it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a money factor?
It is the lease equivalent of an interest rate, written as a small decimal like 0.00125. Multiply it by 2400 to see the roughly equivalent APR.
Is leasing cheaper than buying?
Monthly payments are usually lower, but you build no ownership and mileage limits apply. Over many years, buying and keeping a car is normally cheaper overall.
What fees should I expect on a lease?
Common ones are an acquisition fee, a disposition fee at return, and charges for excess mileage or damage. Ask for each in writing before signing.