How to use this calculator
- Enter your current credit card balance.
- Type the monthly interest rate shown on your statement.
- Enter how much you can pay each month.
- Optionally enter a target number of months to see the payment needed to be debt free by then.
- Read how many months it takes, how much interest you pay and how much a bigger payment saves.
How to pay off credit card debt faster
Credit card interest compounds every month, so a balance can stay for years if you pay only the minimum. The fastest way out is to pay more than the interest each month, so the balance actually goes down. Even a small increase can save months of payments and a lot of interest.
This calculator simulates your payments month by month. It shows the payoff time and total interest, then compares it with a plan that pays 20% more. The target plan tells you the monthly payment needed to be debt free by a date you choose.
Read our credit card debt tips and the guide to cashback credit cards so you use a card to save money, not to pay interest.
How the payoff is calculated
- Each month, interest is added to your balance at your monthly rate, then your payment is subtracted. The calculator repeats this until the balance reaches zero.
- If your payment is not larger than the monthly interest, your balance never goes down, and the calculator warns you.
- The extra payment comparison adds 20% to your monthly payment so you can see how much time and interest it saves.
- The target plan shows the monthly payment needed to clear the balance in the number of months you pick.
Tips to save more
- Always pay more than the minimum when you can.
- List your balances and clear the highest-interest one first.
- Avoid new charges while you pay down a balance.
- Use extra income, like a bonus, to make a one-time payment and shorten the payoff time.
Frequently asked questions
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This calculator gives estimates for planning only. It is not financial, tax or legal advice. Confirm exact figures with your employer, bank, lender or the relevant government agency.