.calc-container {
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 20px auto;
padding: 25px;
border: 1px solid #e1e1e1;
border-radius: 12px;
background-color: #ffffff;
box-shadow: 0 4px 15px rgba(0,0,0,0.05);
}
.calc-header {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 30px;
}
.calc-header h2 {
color: #2c3e50;
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.calc-grid {
display: grid;
grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
gap: 20px;
}
.input-group {
margin-bottom: 15px;
}
.input-group label {
display: block;
font-weight: 600;
margin-bottom: 8px;
color: #34495e;
font-size: 14px;
}
.input-group input {
width: 100%;
padding: 12px;
border: 1px solid #ccd1d9;
border-radius: 6px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.calc-btn {
grid-column: span 2;
background-color: #27ae60;
color: white;
padding: 15px;
border: none;
border-radius: 6px;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
cursor: pointer;
transition: background 0.3s;
}
.calc-btn:hover {
background-color: #219150;
}
.results-box {
margin-top: 30px;
padding: 20px;
background-color: #f8f9fa;
border-radius: 8px;
border-left: 5px solid #27ae60;
}
.result-row {
display: flex;
justify-content: space-between;
margin-bottom: 10px;
font-size: 16px;
}
.result-row.total {
font-size: 22px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #27ae60;
border-top: 1px solid #ddd;
padding-top: 10px;
}
.article-section {
margin-top: 40px;
line-height: 1.6;
color: #444;
}
.article-section h3 {
color: #2c3e50;
border-bottom: 2px solid #eee;
padding-bottom: 10px;
}
@media (max-width: 600px) {
.calc-grid { grid-template-columns: 1fr; }
.calc-btn { grid-column: span 1; }
}
Vehicle Price (MSRP) ($)
Down Payment ($)
Residual Value (%)
Lease Term (Months)
Money Factor
Sales Tax (%)
Calculate Monthly Payment
Monthly Depreciation:
$0.00
Monthly Rent Charge:
$0.00
Monthly Sales Tax:
$0.00
Total Monthly Payment:
$0.00
How to Calculate a Car Lease
Leasing a vehicle is often more complex than a standard car loan. Instead of paying for the entire value of the car, you are paying for the depreciation that occurs during the period you drive it, plus interest (known as the money factor) and taxes.
Key Leasing Definitions
Gross Capitalized Cost: The agreed-upon price of the vehicle plus any additional fees.Residual Value: The estimated value of the car at the end of the lease term. This is set by the bank.Money Factor: This is the interest rate on a lease. To find the equivalent APR, multiply the money factor by 2400.Lease Term: The duration of the lease, typically 24, 36, or 48 months.
The Mathematical Formula
Our calculator uses the industry-standard leasing formula:
Monthly Depreciation = (Net Cap Cost – Residual Value) / Lease TermRent Charge = (Net Cap Cost + Residual Value) × Money FactorBase Payment = Monthly Depreciation + Rent ChargeTotal Payment = Base Payment + (Base Payment × Sales Tax Rate)
Example Calculation
Imagine a car worth $40,000 with a 60% residual value ($24,000) for a 36-month term. If you put $4,000 down, your Net Cap Cost is $36,000.
Depreciation: ($36,000 – $24,000) / 36 = $333.33
Rent Charge (at 0.0015 MF): ($36,000 + $24,000) × 0.0015 = $90.00
Subtotal: $423.33
With 8% tax: $457.20 per month.
function calculateLease() {
var msrp = parseFloat(document.getElementById('msrp').value);
var downPayment = parseFloat(document.getElementById('downPayment').value);
var residualPercent = parseFloat(document.getElementById('residual').value);
var leaseTerm = parseFloat(document.getElementById('leaseTerm').value);
var moneyFactor = parseFloat(document.getElementById('moneyFactor').value);
var salesTax = parseFloat(document.getElementById('salesTax').value);
if (isNaN(msrp) || isNaN(downPayment) || isNaN(residualPercent) || isNaN(leaseTerm) || isNaN(moneyFactor) || isNaN(salesTax)) {
alert("Please enter valid numbers in all fields.");
return;
}
// 1. Calculate Residual Value in Dollars
var residualValue = (residualPercent / 100) * msrp;
// 2. Net Capitalized Cost
var netCapCost = msrp – downPayment;
// 3. Monthly Depreciation
var monthlyDepreciation = (netCapCost – residualValue) / leaseTerm;
if (monthlyDepreciation < 0) monthlyDepreciation = 0;
// 4. Rent Charge (Interest)
var monthlyRentCharge = (netCapCost + residualValue) * moneyFactor;
// 5. Base Payment
var basePayment = monthlyDepreciation + monthlyRentCharge;
// 6. Tax
var monthlyTax = basePayment * (salesTax / 100);
// 7. Total
var totalPayment = basePayment + monthlyTax;
// Display Results
document.getElementById('resDepreciation').innerText = "$" + monthlyDepreciation.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resRent').innerText = "$" + monthlyRentCharge.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resTax').innerText = "$" + monthlyTax.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('resTotal').innerText = "$" + totalPayment.toLocaleString(undefined, {minimumFractionDigits: 2, maximumFractionDigits: 2});
document.getElementById('results').style.display = 'block';
}