How this is worked out
- On-road price = ex-showroom price + road tax, registration and other charges.
- Your EMI comes from the loan amount (on-road price minus down payment), the interest rate and the tenure.
- Lifetime cost = down payment + every EMI + fuel + insurance + servicing + parking + tolls for the years you keep the car, minus what you sell it for.
- Yearly cost = lifetime cost ÷ years you keep it. If that's within your comfort limit, the car is affordable; up to a quarter over is a stretch.
- The year-by-year view spreads the purchase evenly over the years, raises running costs by inflation, and raises your pay by the pay rise you enter.
Questions people ask
Why 20% of take-home pay?
It's a common rule of thumb so a car doesn't crowd out savings, rent or EMIs on a home. If you already pay other EMIs, or have a family depending on your income, set a lower limit like 10–15%.
Should I pay a bigger down payment?
Usually yes, if it doesn't empty your emergency fund. Every rupee you don't borrow saves the interest on it. Try raising the down payment and watch the interest figure fall.
Does this include resale value?
Only if you enter one. Cars in India often sell for 25–40% of their price after about 7 years, depending on brand, fuel type and condition. Leaving it at zero gives the most cautious answer.
Can I use it for an electric car?
Yes. Put mileage in km per kWh and the electricity price per kWh in the fuel price box. EVs usually have lower running and servicing costs, which often offsets a higher price.
Is my data saved anywhere?
No. Everything is worked out in your browser. Your last numbers are kept on your own device so you can come back to them, and the page link holds them so you can share them.