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Balance Transfer Calculator

Compare keeping your current card against transferring the balance to a 0% intro-APR card, fee included, to see which costs less and how fast you'd be debt-free.

$
$
—

If you keep your current card:

Payoff time
—
Total interest
$0

If you transfer the balance:

Transfer fee (added to balance)
$0
Interest paid
$0
Total cost (fee + interest)
$0
Payoff time
—

Estimates only — confirm the intro APR, transfer fee, and post-intro rate with the card issuer. New purchases may be charged differently.

How a balance transfer works

A balance transfer card gives you a promotional 0% (or low) APR for a fixed number of months. You move an existing high-interest balance over, pay a one-time transfer fee (usually 3–5%), and then race to pay down the balance before the intro period ends. Done right, it can save hundreds in interest; done carelessly, the fee and the post-intro rate eat the benefit.

Make a transfer work for you

  • Have a payoff plan. Divide your balance by the intro months to find the monthly payment that clears it in time.
  • Mind the fee. A 3% fee on $6,000 is $180 added to your balance — the calculator includes it.
  • Don't add new purchases to the card; new spending may not get the promo rate.
  • Don't miss a payment — it can void the promotional APR.

Not sure a transfer is right? The Debt Consolidation Calculator compares a personal loan instead, and the Credit Card Payoff Calculator shows the cost of staying put. New to the idea? Read What Is a Balance Transfer?

Frequently asked questions

How does a balance transfer save money?
A balance transfer moves high-interest debt to a card with a low or 0% introductory APR for a set number of months. While the intro rate lasts, all of your payment goes to principal instead of interest. The catch is a one-time transfer fee (typically 3–5% of the balance) and the higher rate that kicks in after the intro period.
Is the transfer fee worth it?
Often yes, if you carry a meaningful balance and can pay much of it off during the 0% window. This calculator adds the fee to your transferred balance and compares the total cost against keeping your current card, so you can see whether you come out ahead.
What happens if I don't pay it off before the 0% period ends?
Any remaining balance starts accruing interest at the post-intro APR, which is often similar to a standard credit card rate. The calculator accounts for this by switching to the post-intro rate after the intro months you enter.

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