Balance Transfer Savings Calculator
Moving a balance to a 0% intro APR card can save real money — but the transfer fee and the go-to rate after the intro window eat into it. This compares both paths on the same balance and monthly payment, so you can see the net savings after the fee.
Balance Transfer Savings Calculator
Stay on current card
$1,871
interest paid
Paid off in 2y 11m
Transfer the balance
$294
interest + $150 fee
Paid off in 2y 3m
Transferring saves you an estimated $1,577 after the $150 transfer fee, and clears the balance 8 mo sooner.
The transfer fee is added to the balance upfront and the intro APR applies for the intro window; after it ends, any remaining balance is modeled at your current APR as the go-to-rate proxy. Estimate only — real go-to APRs, fees, and terms vary by issuer.
Looking for a 0% intro APR card?
See our best 0% APR & balance-transfer cards, or take the quiz to find your match. Want the payoff timeline first? Use the payoff calculator.
FAQ
Does the transfer fee get added to my balance, or paid separately?
This calculator adds it to the balance upfront, which is how most issuers structure it — a 3% fee on a $5,000 transfer means you start the intro period owing $5,150, not $5,000. That's baked into the transfer-path total shown here.
What happens if I still have a balance when the intro period ends?
The calculator models any remaining balance reverting to your current card's APR, used as a stand-in go-to rate, for the rest of the payoff. Real go-to APRs vary by issuer and are often higher than your current rate — check the card's rate table before you commit.
Is a 0% intro APR transfer always worth the fee?
No — it depends on how much interest you'd pay staying put during the intro window versus how much of the transfer fee that interest offsets. On a small balance you'd pay off quickly anyway, the fee can cost more than it saves; on a larger balance carried for months, transferring usually wins by a wide margin. Run your own numbers above rather than assuming either way.
This calculator is for general education, not financial, legal, or tax advice. Results are estimates based on the numbers you enter and standard month-by-month amortization; your actual interest depends on your issuer’s balance-calculation method, compounding, and the exact APR, fees, and terms of your card, which vary by issuer. Confirm current numbers with your card issuer before making a decision. ClearValue Cards earns compensation through our CardRatings partnership, paid when a reader clicks out to CardRatings from our match tool, and through separately labeled, paid partner placements (marked "Advertiser Disclosure · Sponsored") that sit outside our card rankings.