Credit Card Interest Calculator

Why credit card APR is expensive

Credit card interest is typically calculated daily and charged monthly, which means high APRs can add up quickly. When the monthly payment is close to the monthly interest charge, your balance declines slowly and you may pay a surprisingly large amount of interest.

This calculator uses a monthly payoff model: each month interest is applied to the current balance and then your payment reduces the balance. It’s a planning tool that helps you compare what happens when you increase your monthly payment or reduce your balance.

If your payment is too low to cover interest, you may not pay off the balance. The calculator will warn you so you can adjust inputs to a realistic payment level.

The payoff “danger zone” to avoid

If your payment is only slightly above the interest charged, the balance falls very slowly. In that zone, a small increase in payment can dramatically reduce payoff time. That’s because extra dollars go almost entirely to principal once interest is covered.

A good practical test is: does my payment reduce the balance in the first month? If not, the plan is not sustainable. Increase the payment, reduce the balance (for example via a one-time payment), or lower the APR (refinance or balance transfer) to move into a payoff-friendly trajectory.

How to use the results responsibly

The payoff months and total interest are estimates under a simple assumption: you stop adding new charges and pay a consistent amount each month. If you continue spending on the card, the actual payoff timeline can be longer.

Use the calculator to compare a baseline payment to an aggressive payment. The difference in total interest can help you justify prioritizing debt payoff. For many people, paying down high-APR debt can be a “risk-free return” that’s hard to match elsewhere.

APR, compounding, and minimum payments

Credit cards often advertise an APR, but interest can accrue daily. A monthly approximation is useful for planning, but your statement may differ slightly. The direction of the math is the same: higher APR and lower payments increase interest cost.

Minimum payments are designed to keep you current, not to minimize interest. Paying only the minimum can extend payoff time significantly. If you can, choose a fixed payment that is meaningfully above the minimum and revisit it as your balance declines.

Limitations and next steps

This calculator assumes a single, constant APR and a fixed monthly payment. In reality, APR can change, promotional rates can expire, and card issuers may compute interest using daily balances. Those details can shift the exact payoff date and interest total.

If you are exploring balance transfers or consolidation, compare the total cost: transfer fee, promotional APR period, and your ability to pay the balance before the promo ends. The best plan is the one you can execute consistently without new charges.

For a higher-confidence plan, use this calculator as a baseline, then verify against your statement’s interest calculation method and minimum payment rules.