Credit card payoff calculator: balance, APR, and monthly payment → months to pay off, total interest, and amortization chart. See if minimum-style payments trap you in debt.
How it works
Credit cards charge interest on the remaining balance every month. If your payment is less than the interest charged, the balance grows—you are in a debt trap. Example: $6,500 at 22.9% APR with $250/month pays roughly $2,400+ in interest and takes about 34 months. Raising the payment to $350 often saves over a year and thousands in interest.
Frequently asked questions
What if my payment is too low to ever pay off the card?
When monthly interest ≥ your payment, the balance never shrinks. The calculator shows 0 months in that case—increase payment, transfer to a lower APR card, or ask the issuer for a hardship plan.
Is avalanche or snowball better than a fixed payment?
This tool models one card with a steady payment. If you have multiple debts, mathematically paying highest APR first (avalanche) saves the most interest; snowball (smallest balance first) wins on motivation. Use our debt snowflake calculator for extra micro-payments.
Does this include new charges on the card?
No—it assumes you stop adding new balance and pay the same amount each month. If you keep charging, real payoff takes longer.