This calculator tells you exactly how long it will take to pay off a credit card balance at your current payment, and how much total interest you will pay along the way. Enter your balance, APR, and monthly payment. The results also show what changes if you add $50 a month.
What to do with this number
If your payoff timeline is measured in years, you have three levers. Pay more per month (even $25 matters; rerun the numbers above). Pay less interest: if your credit is rough, balance transfer with bad credit is still sometimes possible, and debt consolidation with bad credit can cut a 25% card APR meaningfully. Or address multiple cards in the most efficient order. The snowball vs. avalanche calculator compares both methods on your actual debts.
How this calculator works
We simulate your balance month by month: each month, interest accrues at your APR divided by 12, your payment is applied, and the remainder rolls forward. This matches how card issuers amortize a non-revolving balance when you stop adding charges. Real statements use average daily balance with daily compounding, so your actual figures may differ slightly — always in the issuer’s favor. The calculator assumes you make no new purchases on the card, which is the only way any payoff plan works.
Frequently asked questions
Why does paying the minimum take so long?
Minimum payments are typically set around 1%–3% of your balance plus interest, a structure that keeps the account open for decades. Our minimum payment calculator shows the full cost.
Should I save or pay off the card first?
Keep a small emergency buffer, then direct extra funds to the card. No savings account pays anything close to the 20%+ APR your card charges — paying it down is a guaranteed return at that rate.
Does paying off a card hurt my credit score?
Paying a card to zero doesn’t hurt; closing it can, because you lose that card’s credit limit from your utilization math. Pay it off, keep it open, and see utilization calculator for where your ratio lands.