How long will it take to pay off your credit card?
When you make fixed monthly payments on a credit card, each payment first covers that month’s interest charge, with the rest reducing your principal balance. As the balance shrinks, more of each payment goes toward principal.
How this calculator works
We simulate your balance month by month: each month we calculate interest on the remaining balance, subtract it (and the principal portion) from your fixed payment, and repeat until the balance reaches zero. If your payment doesn’t exceed the monthly interest charge, the balance will never be paid off.
This calculator is for general planning purposes and assumes no new charges are added to the card.
Last reviewed August 2026