When is my credit card payoff date?
Find your debt-free date and total interest for up to five cards, paying the highest APR first, and what an extra payment saves.
- Months until debt-free
- 25
Paying $250.00 a month clears every card in 25 months, with $1,059.31 of interest in total.
- Time to be debt-free
- 2 years, 1 month
- Debt-free in
- November 2028
- Total interest
- $1,059.31
- Total payments
- $6,059.31
- Paid each month
- $250.00
- Interest with minimums only
- $2,162.63
- Interest you save
- $1,103.32
- Months saved
- 23
- Months to pay off card 1
- 25
- Months
- 25
Answer for the example date Monday, October 5, 2026. It changes to today's date when the page loads.
Months until debt-free: 25. Paying $250.00 a month clears every card in 25 months, with $1,059.31 of interest in total.
How fast does each card’s balance fall?
What does every month look like?
The results are estimates for information only. They are not financial, tax, or legal advice. Check the numbers with your lender or a qualified professional before you decide. Terms of use
How to calculate
Computes the debt-free date, total interest, and payoff order for up to five credit cards paid by the avalanche method (highest APR first), and the interest an extra monthly payment saves.
Example with the default inputs (Card name Credit Card 1, Current balance $5,000.00, APR 18.99%, Minimum payment $150.00, Extra each month $100.00, Today’s date October 5, 2026) on the example date Monday, October 5, 2026: Paying $250.00 a month clears every card in 25 months, with $1,059.31 of interest in total.
Method: Each month, every card is charged balance × APR ÷ 12, then paid its minimum; the rest of the monthly total (all minimums plus the extra) goes to the card with the highest APR, then the next, until every balance is zero.
- Interest is charged monthly at APR ÷ 12 on the balance at the start of the month; card issuers charge daily, so a statement can differ a little.
- Each minimum payment stays the same every month. When a card is paid off, its minimum goes to the next card, so the monthly total stays the same.
- The extra goes to the card with the highest APR (the avalanche method); equal APRs are paid in the order entered.
- No new purchases, fees, or promotional rates.
- The page follows the cards for up to 50 years (600 months).
- Values are not rounded to the cent between months; only the display is rounded.
Worked examples
Each example is checked against the calculator on every build.
- Card name A, Current balance $3,000.00, APR 24.99%, Minimum payment $90.00, Card name B, Current balance $1,500.00, APR 15.99%, Minimum payment $45.00, Extra each month $100.00 gives Months until debt-free 24, Months to pay off card 1 20, Months to pay off card 2 24, Total interest $1,031.88, Interest you save $1,583.39.Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, How to reduce your debt (the highest interest rate method and the snowball method). https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/how-reduce-your-debt/
- Current balance $5,000.00, APR 18.99%, Minimum payment $150.00, Extra each month $100.00, Today’s date 2026-10-01 gives Months until debt-free 25, Total interest $1,059.31, Total payments $6,059.31, Interest you save $1,103.32, Months saved 23, Debt-free in 2028-11-01.Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, How to reduce your debt (the highest interest rate method and the snowball method). https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/how-reduce-your-debt/
- Current balance $5,000.00, APR 0%, Minimum payment $100.00, Extra each month $0.00 gives Months until debt-free 50, Total interest $0.00, Total payments $5,000.00.Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, How to reduce your debt (the highest interest rate method and the snowball method). https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/how-reduce-your-debt/
How the payoff is worked out
Enter up to five cards (open “Add card 2” and so on for more). A card counts when its balance is filled in; it then needs an APR and a minimum payment. The calculator follows your cards month by month. The monthly total is fixed: all the minimum payments plus the extra.
- Interest. Each card with a balance is charged balance × APR ÷ 12 (18.99% APR gives 0.1899 ÷ 12 = 1.5825% a month).
- Minimums. Each card is paid its minimum, or its whole balance if that is less.
- The rest. What is left of the monthly total goes to the card with the highest APR. When that card is paid off, the rest of the money goes to the card with the next highest APR, and so on. Cards with the same APR are paid in the order you entered them.
When a card is paid off, its minimum is not dropped: it stays in the monthly total and goes to the next card (the “rollover”). This is the debt avalanche method. It pays less interest than paying the smallest balance first (the snowball method), because the most expensive debt goes first.
The months to be debt-free are the months until every balance is zero. The total interest is the sum of the monthly interest on all cards, and the total payments are the balances plus that interest. “Months to pay off card N” is the month that card’s balance reaches zero; a card that starts at $0 is paid off at month 0. When every card is at $0, the answer is 0 months, with no interest and no payoff month.
To show what the extra saves, the calculator runs the same months with no extra (the minimums, still rolled over). “Interest you save” is that run’s interest minus yours, and “Months saved” is the difference in months. The savings appear only when the extra is above 0, and only when the run with no extra has an answer itself.
When there is no answer
- If the monthly total is no more than the interest on all cards in the first month, the balances never go down. Only the first month is checked: in a later month the interest can be higher than the monthly total for a while (for example when a high-APR card with a small minimum is left for last), and the plan still has an answer if it ends within the limit below.
- The calculator follows the cards for up to 50 years (600 months). Cards that take longer have no answer.
Assumptions
- Interest is charged once a month on the balance at the start of the month. Card issuers charge interest daily, so a statement can differ a little.
- Each minimum payment stays the same every month. On a real card the minimum often falls as the balance falls.
- No new purchases, fees, or promotional rates.
- The next payment is one month after today’s date.
- Values are not rounded to the cent from month to month. Only the display is rounded.
Worked examples by hand
The page’s default: one card, $5,000 at 18.99% APR, $150 minimum, $100 extra. The monthly total is $250 and the monthly rate is 1.5825%. Month 1: interest 5,000 × 0.015825 = $79.13, so the balance becomes 5,079.13 − 250 = $4,829.13. Repeating this, the card is paid off after 25 months, with $1,059.31 of interest and $6,059.31 paid in all. With the $150 minimum alone it takes 48 months and $2,162.63 of interest, so the extra saves $1,103.32 and 23 months. From October 1, 2026, the last payment is in November 2028.
Two cards and the rollover. Card A: $3,000 at 24.99%, $90 minimum. Card B: $1,500 at 15.99%, $45 minimum. Extra $100, so the monthly total is $235. Each month B gets its $45 minimum and A gets the other $190, because A has the higher APR. A is paid off after 20 months. From then on, all $235 goes to B, which is paid off after 24 months. The interest on both cards adds up to $1,031.88. With the minimums alone ($135 a month, still rolled over) the interest is $2,615.27, so the extra saves $1,583.39.
0% APR. $5,000 with a $100 minimum and no extra is paid off in 5,000 ÷ 100 = 50 months, with no interest.
Other questions people ask
How does the debt snowball method work?
The debt snowball method prioritizes paying off your smallest credit card balance first, regardless of interest rate. You pay the minimum on all cards except the smallest one, where you apply all extra payments. Once the smallest card is paid off, you roll that payment amount to the next smallest card, creating a 'snowball' effect that grows as you eliminate each debt.
Should I use the debt snowball or debt avalanche method?
The debt snowball method (paying smallest balances first) provides psychological wins and motivation through quick victories. The debt avalanche method (paying highest interest rates first) saves more money in interest. Our calculator uses the avalanche method because it pays the least interest. If quick wins keep you going, the snowball method is a fine choice too.
How accurate is this credit card payoff calculator?
Our calculator provides accurate estimates based on the debt avalanche method and monthly interest at your APR ÷ 12. However, actual results may vary due to factors like balance transfers, promotional rates, late fees, or changes in your credit card terms. Use this as a planning tool and always verify with your credit card statements.
What if I can't afford the extra payment amount?
Start with whatever extra amount you can afford, even if it's just $25 or $50 per month. The key is consistency. As you pay off cards and free up more money, you can increase your extra payment amount. The calculator shows you the impact of different payment amounts, so you can see how even small increases can significantly reduce your payoff time.
How do I calculate my minimum payment if I don't know it?
If you don't know your exact minimum payment, a common rule is 1% of your balance plus the month's interest, and many issuers set a floor such as $25 to $35. Enter the minimum from your statement for the most accurate results. Check your latest statement or call your credit card company for the exact amount.
What happens if I miss a payment?
Missing a payment can significantly impact your payoff plan by adding late fees, increasing your interest rate, and extending your payoff timeline. Always prioritize making at least the minimum payment on all cards. If you're struggling to make payments, contact your credit card companies immediately - many offer hardship programs or payment arrangements.
Should I consider a balance transfer to a 0% APR card?
A balance transfer to a 0% APR card can be beneficial if you can pay off the balance before the promotional period ends. However, be aware of balance transfer fees (typically 3-5%) and ensure you have a plan to pay off the debt before the regular APR kicks in. Enter the new card's balance and a 0% APR to see the effect while the promotion lasts.
How does this calculator handle multiple credit cards?
Our calculator can handle up to 5 credit cards. It pays the minimum on every card and sends the rest to the card with the highest APR (the debt avalanche method). When a card is paid off, its minimum goes to the next card. Open “Add card 2” and so on to add cards, or clear a card’s balance to leave it out, and the calculator will recalculate your payoff timeline and interest savings based on your specific situation.
What's the difference between APR and interest rate?
APR (Annual Percentage Rate) includes both the interest rate and any additional fees or costs associated with the credit card. For most credit cards, the APR and interest rate are the same. The APR gives you a more complete picture of the total cost of borrowing, which is why we use it in our calculations.
How can I stay motivated during my debt payoff journey?
Track your progress monthly, celebrate small wins (like paying off a card), and visualize your debt-free future. Use our calculator to see how each extra payment brings you closer to your goal. Consider setting up automatic payments and creating a visual debt tracker. Remember that becoming debt-free is a marathon, not a sprint - consistency is key.