How long does a $5,000 card balance take to clear? At 19.99% APR and $200 a month, 2.8 years, and $1,521.02 of that is interest. Put in your own balance, rate and payment in the credit card payoff calculator and you’ll get your date.
What the calculator does each month
It adds one twelfth of the yearly rate to your balance, takes off your payment, and repeats until nothing is left. A second line runs the same debt with a bit more paid each month, so you can see what the extra money buys.
Pay less than the month’s interest and the balance grows. The result then reads Never. On the default card, the first month’s interest is $83.29.
How much does the monthly payment matter?
A lot, and the table shows it. The balance stays at $5,000 and the rate at 19.99%. Only the payment moves.
| Monthly payment | Time to pay off | Total interest |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | 9.1 years | $5,830.34 |
| $150 | 4.2 years | $2,357.06 |
| $200 | 2.8 years | $1,521.02 |
| $250 | 2.1 years | $1,132.29 |
| $300 | 1.7 years | $906.25 |
| $500 | 12 payments | $514.93 |
What does an extra $50 a month buy?
Start with $200 a month. The card clears in 33 payments and you pay $6,521.02 in all. Make it $250 and the debt ends in 25 payments, with interest down to $1,132.29. So $50 more each month saves you $388.72.
Go to $100 extra and the payoff drops to 20 payments, saving $614.76 in interest. The first extra dollars do the most work, because they shrink the balance that interest is charged on.
Why the minimum payment costs so much
Paying only the minimum is the dearest way to do it. At $100 a month the same card takes 109 payments and $5,830.34 in interest, more than the original debt. Any payment close to that first month’s interest of $83.29 barely dents the balance.
Two things the estimate can’t see. Real cards usually charge interest daily, so the true cost runs a little higher, and new purchases add to the balance, which means that if you keep spending on the card while you repay, the payoff date slides further out.
Fees and rate changes aren’t included either.
How can I pay it off faster?
Find the payment you can really keep up every month, then round it up. A fixed amount beats a vague plan to pay extra when cash allows. Use the extra field to try a few sizes, such as $25, $50 or $100, and compare the interest saved.
Got a tax refund or a bonus? Send it straight to the balance. Interest is charged on what you still owe, so a lump sum early saves more than the same money late in the plan. Rerun the calculator with the smaller balance and you’ll see the new date.
Where the numbers come from
The monthly rate is your APR divided by 12, and every figure comes from what you type. Nothing is looked up from a card issuer. Your statement has the exact balance and rate, and the last payment is trimmed to whatever remains. This site has no link with any card issuer or government body.
If the rate is what hurts, a fixed-term loan may cost less, and the personal loan calculator shows how much. You can test a revolving credit line with the line of credit calculator. The monthly budget calculator shows what’s left after your bills, and the interest calculator shows what a rate does to any sum.
Frequently asked questions
How long will my card take to pay off?
That depends on the balance, the APR and your payment. $5,000 at 19.99% with $200 a month takes 2.8 years.
What if my payment is below the interest?
Then the balance grows and the result shows Never. On the default card, the first month brings $83.29 of interest.
How much does an extra payment help?
Adding $50 a month cuts the payoff to 2.1 years and saves $388.72 in interest.
Why is my real cost higher?
Cards usually charge interest daily, so the real interest runs slightly above this estimate.
Does the calculator include new purchases?
No. New spending would add to the balance and push the payoff date back.
Sources and updates
Updated: . How we check rates · Editorial team · Updates
Estimate only. These figures are a planning estimate, not tax, legal or accounting advice. Tax-Services.ca is an independent publisher: we don't prepare or file tax returns, and we don't offer tax, legal or accounting services. We have no connection with the Canada Revenue Agency, Revenu Québec or any provincial government. Your real amounts depend on details this tool cannot see, so confirm them with an official source or a qualified professional before you act.