Title loan calculator
Title loan calculator: what the monthly fee adds up to
Enter the amount, the monthly fee and how long you'll need it to see what a car title loan costs, the APR, and how much of your car's value is on the line.
The title loan
The FTC says title loans often charge as much as 25% a month.
Fees you pay
$250
over 1 month
APR
304%
the fee as a yearly rate
| Fee each month | $250 |
|---|---|
| Total fees | $250 |
| Total to repay | $1,250 |
| Car value on the line | $6,000 |
Your car is the collateral: if you can't repay, the lender can take it, and it's worth $6,000 against a $1,000 loan. The Military Lending Act caps title loans for covered service members at 36%.
A payment plan, a credit union loan or a card advance usually costs far less, and none puts your car at risk.
Compare optionsHow this works
- Each month's fee is the amount borrowed times the monthly fee.
- The APR is the total fees divided by the amount, scaled from the loan's months (30 days each) to a 365-day year.
- The starting monthly fee is 25%: the FTC says title loans often charge that much, which comes to about 300% APR.
- Your car is the collateral, so the tool shows its value next to what you owe.
- The Military Lending Act limits title loans for covered service members to 36%.
Sources
- FTC: what to know about payday and car title loans
- Regulation Z §1026.22: annual percentage rate (CFPB)
- 32 CFR §232.4: Military Lending Act rate limit (Cornell LII)
Awaiting expert reviewEstimates only; not financial, tax or legal advice.
Common questions
How much does a title loan cost?
The FTC says title loans often have monthly fees as high as 25%, about 300% APR. On $1,000 that's $250 in fees each month.
What happens if I can't repay a title loan?
The lender can take your car, because the car is the collateral for the loan.
What costs less than a title loan?
A payment plan with the company you owe, a paycheck advance, a credit union payday alternative loan or even a credit card cash advance usually costs less, and none puts your car at risk.
Does DebtCheckUSA get paid for what this tool shows?
The costs are the same no matter what. Some short-on-cash tools can show loan offers from a paid partner, labeled Paid partner and placed below the cheaper options. Nothing you type is sent to them.
Is the information I enter saved or sent anywhere?
No. What you type stays on this page. It isn't saved or sent anywhere, and it clears when you leave or reload the page.