Credit Card Payoff Calculator
Find how many months it takes to pay off a credit card at a fixed monthly payment and APR, with total interest and a month-by-month balance chart.
Last updated: October 2026
Months to Pay Off
44 months
This calculator gives an estimate for general information only. It is not financial, tax or investment advice. Check the figures with a qualified professional before making decisions, and follow the rules that apply where you live.
Formula below · 2 sources (CFPB, federalreserve.gov) · Updated Oct 2026
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About this calculator
A credit card charges interest every month on the balance you carry, at roughly the APR divided by 12. Paying a fixed amount each month, the number of months to reach zero follows the standard loan-payoff formula:
months = −ln(1 − B × r / P) / ln(1 + r)
where B is the balance, P the monthly payment and r the monthly rate (APR / 100 / 12). The result is rounded up to whole months, since the last payment is a partial one. If the payment is not more than the first month's interest, B × r, the balance never falls and the calculator says so.
The chart below the result runs the same payoff month by month and adds up the interest. It assumes you make no new purchases and the APR does not change. Real cards compound interest daily on the average daily balance, so your statement can differ by a few dollars.
For comparison, the APR on U.S. credit card accounts that paid interest averaged about 21.5% in early 2026, according to the Federal Reserve. Your statement must also show how long paying only the minimum would take and what payment clears the balance in 3 years.
This is an estimate, not financial advice.
| Monthly payment | Months to pay off | Total interest |
|---|---|---|
| $150 | 72 | $4,653 |
| $200 | 44 | $2,685 |
| $250 | 32 | $1,914 |
| $300 | 25 | $1,496 |
| $400 | 18 | $1,051 |
| $500 | 14 | $817 |
How to use
Enter the current balance, the card's APR (on your statement) and the amount you will pay every month. Example (the defaults): $6,000 at 21.5% APR with $200 a month. The monthly rate is 0.215 / 12 = 0.01792, so the first month's interest is $107.50. Months = −ln(1 − 107.5 / 200) / ln(1.01792) = 43.4, rounded up to 44 months. Total interest comes to about $2,685. Raising the payment to $300 cuts that to 25 months and about $1,496 of interest. At $150 a month it takes 72 months and about $4,653.
Frequently asked questions
How long will it take to pay off my credit card?
It depends on how far your payment is above the monthly interest. On $6,000 at 21.5% APR, $200 a month takes 44 months and $300 takes 25. The table below shows more payment levels.
Why does paying only the minimum take so long?
Minimum payments are usually a small percentage of the balance plus interest, so most of each payment goes to interest and the minimum shrinks as the balance shrinks. The CFPB notes it can take years, even decades, to pay off a high balance this way. Your statement shows the minimum-payment payoff time.
Does this include new purchases?
No. It assumes you stop using the card. Any new charges add to the balance and push the payoff date back by about the amount charged divided by your payment, plus interest.
Should I pay off the highest-rate card first?
If you have several cards, putting extra money on the highest-APR card first (the avalanche method) costs the least interest. Paying the smallest balance first (the snowball method) clears accounts sooner. The Debt Avalanche and Debt Snowball calculators compare both.
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Sources & references
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