Credit Card Payoff Calculator
See exactly how long your cards take to clear — and what minimum payments really cost.
Credit cards carry some of the highest interest rates of any debt, and paying only the minimum can keep you trapped for years. This calculator shows exactly how long your cards take to clear at your chosen monthly budget, how much interest you pay, and how much you save by paying more than the minimum. Add your cards below.
Your debts
Pre-filled with an example — edit the numbers to match your own.
Minimums total £325 / month.
Applied in month 1 (e.g. a bonus or tax refund).
Debt-free date
July 2029
3 yr 1 mo
Total interest paid
£3,645.62
avalanche method
Total amount paid
£18,145.62
principal + interest
Interest you could save
£91.61
avalanche vs other method
Snowball vs Avalanche — side by side
Snowball
- Time to debt-free
- 3 yr 1 mo
- Total interest
- £3,737.23
- First debt cleared
- Credit Card B
Avalanche
Lowest interest- Time to debt-free
- 3 yr 1 mo
- Total interest
- £3,645.62
- First debt cleared
- Credit Card A
Total balance over time
How your combined debt falls under each strategy.
Payoff order
The order your debts clear under the avalanche method.
- 1Credit Card A
- 2Credit Card B
- 3Personal Loan
Payoff schedule
37 months total| Month | Interest | Remaining balance | Credit Card A | Personal Loan | Credit Card B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £198.54 | £14,198.54 | £4,010.15 | £8,403.54 | £1,784.85 |
| 2 | £193.66 | £13,892.2 | £3,816.68 | £8,306.08 | £1,769.45 |
| 3 | £188.7 | £13,580.9 | £3,619.51 | £8,207.6 | £1,753.79 |
| 4 | £183.65 | £13,264.56 | £3,418.58 | £8,108.1 | £1,737.88 |
| 5 | £178.52 | £12,943.07 | £3,213.82 | £8,007.56 | £1,721.7 |
| 6 | £173.29 | £12,616.37 | £3,005.15 | £7,905.97 | £1,705.25 |
| 7 | £167.98 | £12,284.35 | £2,792.5 | £7,803.32 | £1,688.53 |
| 8 | £162.58 | £11,946.92 | £2,575.79 | £7,699.61 | £1,671.53 |
| 9 | £157.08 | £11,604 | £2,354.95 | £7,594.81 | £1,654.25 |
| 10 | £151.49 | £11,255.49 | £2,129.89 | £7,488.92 | £1,636.68 |
| 11 | £145.8 | £10,901.28 | £1,900.53 | £7,381.93 | £1,618.82 |
| 12 | £140.01 | £10,541.29 | £1,666.8 | £7,273.83 | £1,600.67 |
Should you consolidate?
Compare a single consolidation loan against your DIY avalanche plan.
Your DIY plan (avalanche)
- Time to clear
- 3 yr 1 mo
- Total interest
- £3,645.62
- Total cost
- £18,145.62
Consolidation loan
- Monthly payment
- £378.07
- Total interest
- £3,212.52
- Total cost (incl. fee)
- £18,147.52
Ready to lower your interest rate?
If your plan shows consolidation could save you money, compare real, regulated lenders and 0% balance-transfer cards before you apply. Always check the representative APR, fees, and eligibility.
Affiliate disclosure: these are sponsored comparison links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you. This is not financial advice — check each provider's terms before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How is credit card interest calculated?
Card interest is typically charged monthly on your outstanding balance. We use balance × (APR ÷ 12) each month. For example, £2,000 at 22.9% APR accrues about £38 of interest in the first month. Paying only the minimum means most of your payment goes to interest, not principal.
Why does paying the minimum take so long?
Minimum payments are usually set as a small percentage of the balance, so as the balance falls, so does the minimum — stretching the payoff over many years and piling up interest. Paying a fixed amount above the minimum dramatically shortens the timeline. Try it in the calculator.
Should I consider a balance transfer card?
A 0% balance transfer card can pause interest for an introductory period, letting more of your payment hit the principal. Watch for the transfer fee and the rate after the intro period ends. Our planner includes a consolidation comparison to help you weigh it up.
More calculators
Debt Snowball Calculator
Knock out your smallest balance first and build unstoppable momentum.
Open →Debt Avalanche Calculator
Target your highest interest rate first to pay the least interest possible.
Open →Debt Consolidation Calculator
Compare the true cost of a consolidation loan against your DIY payoff plan.
Open →Loan Payoff Calculator
Work out your payoff date, total interest, and how much you save by paying extra.
Open →