Credit Card Payoff Calculator
See how long it takes to clear a card balance at a fixed monthly payment — and how much of that goes to interest. Change the payment to watch the payoff time and interest move.
Credit Card Payoff Calculator
Assumes a fixed monthly payment and a constant APR, with no new charges added to the balance. Estimate only — your issuer’s daily-balance method and compounding will differ.
Carrying a balance you want to move?
A 0% intro APR card can cut the interest on an existing balance. Run the numbers with the balance transfer savings calculator, or take the quiz to find your match among 0% APR and balance-transfer cards.
FAQ
Why does the same payment take longer some months than others?
It doesn't in this model — the calculator assumes a fixed monthly payment and a constant APR with no new charges, so each month's interest is simple interest on the remaining balance. A real statement can differ slightly because issuers often use an average daily balance over the billing cycle rather than a single month-end snapshot.
What does it mean when the calculator says the balance never pays off?
It means your monthly payment is smaller than the interest accruing on the balance that month, so the balance grows instead of shrinking — increasing the payment (or lowering the APR, e.g. via a balance transfer) is the only way to make progress.
Why is the interest total so much higher than I expected?
Interest compounds on whatever balance remains, so a low fixed payment on a high-APR card can mean years of payments where most of each dollar goes to interest, not principal. Raising the payment even modestly usually cuts both the payoff time and the total interest by more than the payment increase alone would suggest.
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.