Do the dealer's lease numbers actually add up?
Enter the figures from your lease worksheet and we'll calculate the real monthly payment, depreciation, rent charge, and APR, then check it against the dealer's quote. Manual entry runs in your browser with no account.
- EnterYour lease worksheet numbers
- We calculateDepreciation + rent charge
- You verifyDoes the quote add up?
Autofill from your worksheet
Reading a worksheet with AI requires a free account (Google or email), limited to 3 checks per 24 hours. Manual entry below always works with no account.
Paste the text of the dealer's lease worksheet, or upload a photo / PDF, and we'll read the numbers for you. Everything we extract is marked "from your document" for you to confirm — nothing is used in the math until you do.
Your lease worksheet
Six numbers from your worksheet. That's it.
Residual is always calculated from MSRP.
Money factor × 2400 = APR
Live breakdown
Here's what you'll get once the six numbers are in.
Get your first verdict
See your discount off MSRP and a first read on the deal.
General information, not legal, tax, or financial advice — verify against your actual contract and current state law. Learn more
These results are only as accurate as the figures you enter. Double-check every number against your actual contract.
Calculated monthly payment
0 of 6 filled
$—/mo
Plain-English answers to the terms car-lease shoppers ask about most.
How it works
Three simple steps between you and a car lease you actually understand.
Enter your lease numbers
MSRP, selling price, residual, money factor, term, and fees, straight from the worksheet.
See the math, live
We compute depreciation, rent charge, base payment, and effective APR as you type.
Check the dealer's quote
Compare your calculated payment against what the dealer quoted to catch inflated numbers.
Car lease questions we get most
Straight answers on money factor, fees, mileage and state tax — the four places a US lease quote goes wrong.
How is a car lease payment actually calculated?
A lease payment has two halves. Depreciation is (net capitalized cost − residual value) ÷ the number of months, and it pays for the value the car loses while you have it. The rent charge is (net cap cost + residual) × the money factor, and it is the interest. Add them, then add your state's tax. If a dealer's quote is higher than that, something in the worksheet is not what they told you.
What is a good money factor, and how do I convert it to APR?
Multiply the money factor by 2,400 to get the approximate APR. A money factor of .00125 is about 3% APR. Dealers are allowed to mark the money factor up above the bank's buy rate, and it is the single most common place a lease quietly gets more expensive. Ask for the buy rate in writing and compare it against the number on your worksheet.
Should I put money down on a lease?
Usually not. A capitalized cost reduction lowers your monthly payment but does not lower the total cost much, and if the car is totaled or stolen early, that cash is generally gone — gap coverage pays the lender, not you. In most states the down payment is also taxed when it is applied, so it does not reduce your tax bill either.
How much does going over the mileage limit cost?
Typically $0.15 to $0.30 per mile, set by your contract. On a 36-month lease with a 10,000-mile allowance, driving 13,000 miles a year at $0.25 per mile is $2,250 due at turn-in. Buying extra miles up front is usually cheaper than paying overage at the end — but unused prepaid miles are not refunded, so estimate honestly.
What fees are normal on a US lease worksheet?
Expect an acquisition (bank) fee, usually $595–$995; a disposition fee at turn-in, usually $350–$500; a dealer documentation fee, which several states cap by statute; plus tax, title, registration, and your first month's payment. Anything labeled 'dealer prep', 'market adjustment', or a second processing fee on top of the doc fee is negotiable.
Does my state change what the lease costs?
Significantly. Most states tax each monthly payment, but Texas taxes the vehicle's full price up front, and New York, Ohio, New Jersey and Georgia tax the total of all payments at signing. The same deal can differ by more than a thousand dollars across state lines. See the car lease tax guide for your state.
Not sure what a term means?
Browse our plain-English glossary of common car-lease terms, or read our car-leasing guides.