Credit Card Payoff Calculator

See how long it takes to get rid of your credit card debt, and how much you actually pay in interest, with a fixed monthly payment.

Paid off in
18 months
1 year and 6 months
Total interest
$481
Total paid
$3,481

How to use the credit card payoff calculator

  1. Enter your credit card debt.
  2. Enter the card's annual interest rate (effective rate, check your card agreement).
  3. Enter how much extra you pay each month — the calculator shows the time and interest cost.

How the payoff is calculated

The calculator simulates the payoff month by month: each month, interest is deducted from the remaining balance, and the rest of your payment goes toward reducing the debt. Because credit card interest is normally very high (often 15–30% annually), a large share of a low monthly payment goes toward interest at first, not the debt itself.

Monthly interest = Annual rate ÷ 12
This month's payoff = Monthly payment − This month's interest
Note: The calculator assumes a fixed, unchanged interest rate and that you don't use the card for new purchases during the payoff period. The effective rate can vary in practice, and many credit cards also have an annual fee not included here.

Frequently asked questions

Why does it take so long even with a "high" monthly payment?

Because credit card interest rates are very high compared to other loans. With a 20% annual rate on $3,000, you pay over $30 in interest in the very first month alone — only what's left after interest actually reduces the debt.

What happens if my payment doesn't cover the interest?

Then the debt grows instead of shrinking, no matter how much you "pay" each month — the calculator warns you about this, since it means the debt will never be paid off at that amount.

Should I pay off credit card debt before saving?

As a rule of thumb, it's rarely worthwhile to save at a lower return than the credit card interest rate you're paying — getting rid of high-interest debt often gives a better "return" than most forms of saving.