Free Credit Card Interest Calculator
See how much interest a credit card balance racks up, and roughly how long it takes to clear if you only pay the minimum — no signup, nothing sent to a server. Considering a personal loan to pay it off instead? Check the Personal Loan EMI Calculator.
Interest this billing cycle
—
Balance due after this cycle
—
If you pay only the minimum each month
—
Total interest paid by then
—
How to calculate credit card interest
-
1
Enter your outstanding balance
Use the amount currently unpaid on your statement.
-
2
Enter your card's APR
This is usually printed on your statement or card agreement.
-
3
Set the billing cycle length
Most cards bill monthly, so 30 days is a reasonable default.
-
4
Read the interest and payoff estimate
See this cycle's interest, plus how long payoff takes at the minimum-payment percentage you set.
Example use cases
Deciding whether to carry a balance
See exactly what carrying forward instead of paying in full actually costs.
Comparing to a balance-transfer or loan
Weigh the payoff timeline here against a personal loan's fixed EMI and shorter payoff period.
Understanding the minimum payment trap
See how a small minimum payment percentage stretches payoff out for years.
Frequently asked questions
How is credit card interest calculated?
Most issuers charge daily interest on the outstanding balance: Interest = Balance × (Annual rate ÷ 365) × Number of days, then add that to the balance. This calculator approximates that using the days you enter.
Why is the payoff time so long even with regular minimum payments?
The minimum payment is usually a small percentage of the balance, and most of it goes toward interest rather than principal at high APRs — so the balance shrinks very slowly, and interest keeps compounding on what remains.
Why is my card's APR so much higher than a personal loan rate?
Credit cards are unsecured, revolving credit with no fixed repayment schedule, so issuers price in more risk. If you're carrying a balance for months, a personal loan at a lower rate is usually cheaper.
Is my financial information sent to a server?
No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser — nothing is transmitted or logged.