How to Use the Auto Title Loan Calculator
An auto title loan is a short-term loan where you hand over your car's title as collateral in exchange for quick cash, without a credit check. This calculator estimates how much you could borrow based on your car's value and a typical loan-to-value ratio, then shows the first month's interest at a rate you enter.
Title loan lenders usually offer 25% to 50% of the vehicle's appraised value, and the car must be paid off (no existing loan) to qualify. What makes title loans different from a normal auto loan is the interest rate: many charge around 25% per month, which works out to roughly 300% APR — dramatically higher than a bank loan, credit union loan, or even most credit cards.
Because the lender holds your title, missing payments risks repossession of your vehicle. If you can't repay within the loan term (often 30 days), many lenders let you roll the loan over for an extra fee — a cycle that can balloon the total cost well beyond the amount you originally borrowed. Consider this a last-resort option and compare it against other borrowing alternatives first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lenders typically loan 25% to 50% of your car's appraised value, since it must be free and clear (fully paid off) to qualify. Your income is rarely checked — the vehicle title itself is the collateral.
Title loans are short-term, high-risk loans that commonly charge around 25% interest per month — equivalent to roughly 300% APR — far higher than a traditional auto loan or personal loan. Always compare the total repayment amount before signing.
The lender can repossess your car, since they hold the title as collateral. Many borrowers end up rolling the loan over and paying additional fees and interest, which can quickly increase the total cost far beyond the original loan amount.