Balance Transfer Calculator
Find out whether moving a credit card balance to a 0% intro APR card is worth the transfer fee. Enter your balance, your current APR, and what you can pay each month, then the new card’s fee, intro rate, and how long the intro period lasts.
The calculator compares total interest and fees on both cards, shows how much you’ll still owe when the intro rate ends, and tells you the monthly payment that would clear the balance before it does.
Calculator
You’d save about
$1,530
in interest and fees vs. staying on your current card
- Transfer fee
- $180
- Paid off with transfer
- 1y 9m
- Interest with transfer
- $30
- Paid off on current card
- 2y 2m
- Interest on current card
- $1,739
$780 will still be owed when the 18-month intro rate ends. Paying $343 a month clears it in time.
Assumes no new purchases on either card and the same payment every month. Balance transfer fees are typically 3% to 5%, and the intro rate can end early if you pay late. New purchases on the transfer card may not get the intro rate.
Was this calculator helpful?
Calculation Formulas
The fee is added to the balance on the new card.
Example:
$6,000 × 1.03 = $6,180.
Uses the intro APR during the promo months, then the regular APR.
At a non-zero intro rate, a standard amortizing payment over the intro months.
Example:
$6,180 ÷ 18 = $343.33.
Key Figures
| Figure | Value | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Typical transfer fee | 3%–5% | Of the amount transferred. |
| Typical intro period | 12–21 months | Varies by card. |
Note: Results are estimates for planning purposes. Rates, fees, taxes, and insurance vary by lender and location — confirm exact figures with a licensed professional before making financial decisions.
Standards & Sources
Last verified: October 2026
- Credit CARD Act of 2009
Promotional rates must last at least six months, and payments above the minimum generally go to the highest-rate balance first.
- Assumptions
No new purchases on either card, the same payment each month, and no late payments.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the balance you’d transfer, its current APR, and your monthly payment.
- Enter the transfer fee, the intro APR, and the number of intro months.
- Enter the APR that applies after the intro period.
- Read your savings, the balance left at the end of the promo, and the payment needed to clear it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a balance transfer worth it?
Usually, if you can pay down most of the balance during the intro period. Moving $6,000 from a 24% card to an 18-month 0% card with a 3% fee and paying $300 a month costs $180 in fees and about $30 of interest, versus roughly $1,739 of interest staying put.
How much is a balance transfer fee?
Typically 3% to 5% of the amount transferred, added to your new balance. A few cards offer no-fee transfers, often with shorter intro periods.
What happens when the 0% APR ends?
Any remaining balance starts accruing interest at the card’s regular APR. To avoid it, divide the transferred balance plus fee by the number of intro months and pay at least that each month.
Can I lose the intro rate?
Yes. Paying late can end the promotional rate early. Many cards also apply the regular APR to new purchases, so avoid using the card for spending while you pay off the transfer.
Guides to go with this calculator
How to Calculate Debt-to-Income Ratio (DTI)
Lenders use your debt-to-income ratio to decide how much you can borrow. Here’s exactly what goes into it, how to calculate it in two minutes, and the limits for conventional, FHA, and VA loans.
Debt Snowball vs. Avalanche: Which Is Faster?
Both methods use the same money and the same discipline — they just differ on which debt you attack first. One saves the most interest; the other keeps you motivated. Here’s how to choose.
How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt Fast
Americans carry $1.25 trillion in credit card debt at over 20% interest — and paying the minimum keeps you there for years. Here’s a concrete plan to get out faster.
Related calculators
Credit Card Payoff Calculator
See how long it takes to pay off a credit card and the total interest you’ll pay, based on your balance, APR, and monthly payment.
Debt Consolidation Calculator
Compare paying off your credit cards and other debts as you are with one consolidation loan — monthly payment, total interest, origination fee, and payoff time.
Credit Card Minimum Payment Calculator
See how long paying only the minimum on a credit card takes and how much interest it costs — and how much a fixed payment or a 3-year payoff would save.