Credit Card Payoff Calculator (2026)

See exactly how long it will take to pay off your credit card, how much interest you'll pay, and how much faster you'd be debt-free by paying a little extra each month.

Enter your balance, interest rate (APR) and what you pay each month. Results are an educational estimate, not financial advice.

Estimate your payoff time

Time until debt-free
0 mo
Months to pay off0 months
Monthly payment used$0
Total interest paid$0
Total you'll pay (balance + interest)$0

Estimate assumes a fixed monthly payment, no new charges, and a constant APR. Real cards compound daily and rates can change. Not financial advice.

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How the payoff calculator works

Credit card debt is expensive because interest is charged on your balance every month. If your payment is barely above the interest, almost nothing goes toward the balance — which is why debt can feel stuck. This tool shows the real timeline and cost.

1. Interest first

Each month, interest is added to your balance based on your APR. Only the part of your payment above that interest actually reduces what you owe.

2. The power of paying extra

Because interest compounds, even a small extra payment each month can cut months or years off your payoff and save a lot of interest. Try adding $50 or $100 in the "extra" box to see the difference.

3. Avoid the minimum-payment trap

Paying only the minimum can stretch a balance out for over a decade. See the minimum payment trap for why.

Tip: two proven strategies for multiple cards are the snowball and avalanche methods. Both work — pick the one you'll stick with.
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Guides & resources

Want to get out of debt faster? These plain-English guides help:

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Frequently asked questions

How accurate is this payoff calculator?

It uses standard amortization on a fixed payment, so it's a strong estimate. Real cards compound interest daily and your APR or spending may change, so treat it as a close guide rather than an exact figure.

Why does paying only the minimum take so long?

Minimum payments are set low — often near the monthly interest — so very little reduces the balance. See the minimum payment trap.

Should I use the snowball or avalanche method?

Avalanche (highest APR first) saves the most interest; snowball (smallest balance first) gives quick wins for motivation. Compare them in snowball vs avalanche.

Will paying off my card help my credit score?

Usually yes — lowering your balance improves your credit utilization, a major scoring factor. More in credit utilization.