Credit Card Interest & Payoff Calculator
Compare a simplified minimum-payment path with a fixed monthly payoff plan.
Not financial, tax, or lending advice. Confirm terms with your provider.
~2% minimum path
Est. min payment now: $254
36 months
Interest ≈ $2,504
Fixed payment path
37 months
Interest ≈ $2,566
Simplified model: no new purchases, constant APR. Issuer terms vary. Educational only.
Why minimums drag
Minimum formulas often cover interest plus a thin principal slice — balances can last years.
Raising to a fixed payment usually compresses months and total interest more than people expect.
Behavior risk
Payoff math fails if new purchases refill the balance. Model a clean runoff first.
Promotional APRs expire — re-run the tool when the go-to rate returns.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can minimum path never finish?
If the payment is near interest-only, principal barely falls.
Do promotional APRs change this?
Yes — use the APR that will actually apply during payoff.