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Credit Card Payoff Calculator

Calculate how long to pay off credit card debt or how much to pay monthly. Compare snowball vs avalanche strategies for multiple cards.

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Calculator Mode

Card Details

Results

Months to Payoff

35

Payoff Date

March 2029

Total Interest

$1,871.08

Payment Schedule

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How to Use Credit Card Payoff Calculator

  1. 1

    Choose mode

    Select 'How long to pay off?' or 'How much to pay monthly?' based on your question.

  2. 2

    Enter card details

    Enter your balance and APR. For the first mode, enter your monthly payment. For the second, enter your target payoff timeline.

  3. 3

    Compare strategies

    Enable multiple cards to compare snowball (smallest balance first) vs avalanche (highest APR first) payoff strategies.

  4. 4

    Review schedule

    View the month-by-month payment schedule showing principal, interest, and remaining balance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The avalanche method pays off the card with the highest interest rate first, saving the most money. The snowball method pays off the smallest balance first, providing quicker psychological wins. Both are effective — avalanche saves more money, snowball can be more motivating.

If your payment barely covers the monthly interest charge, almost nothing goes toward the principal. The calculator will warn you if your payment is too low to ever pay off the balance.

The calculator simulates month-by-month payments, applying your payment to interest first and then principal, until the balance reaches zero. This accounts for the declining interest as your balance decreases.

Use the purchase APR on your credit card statement. If you have a promotional 0% APR, enter 0 for that period. Most credit cards charge between 15% and 30% APR.