The minimum keeps you current. It rarely gets you out.
Type in your balance and APR. See how many years the minimum could drag this out, how much you'd hand over in interest, and the smallest payment bump that actually moves the needle.
- No signup
- Real payoff time
- Real interest cost
- What $10–$50 more does
- Plain-English answer
What do you want to figure out?
Your card
Minimum-payment formulas vary by issuer. Common methods include a flat percentage of the balance, or about 1% of the balance plus interest and fees, often with a floor like $25 or $35. If your balance is smaller than the floor, the minimum is usually the full remaining balance.
Compare a stronger payment
Advanced options
The minimum keeps this debt around for years
About 19 yr 6 mo of payments. That's a lot of life to spend paying for things you bought a long time ago. A small bump changes that.
Best next step
Raising your payment by $10 (to $160.00/mo) cuts payoff by about 184 months and saves about $5,962 in interest.
If you only pay the minimum
What a bigger payment buys you
- Start payment
- $150.00
- Months
- 19 yr 6 mo
- Interest
- $8,886.95
- Total paid
- $13,886.95
- Monthly
- $150.00
- Months
- 4 yr 8 mo
- Interest
- $3,322.09
- Saved
- $5,564.86
- Target
- 24 mo
- Required
- $264.36
- Interest
- $1,344.53
- Total paid
- $6,344.53
Tiny bumps. Big returns.
Paying only the minimum keeps this balance around for about 19 yr 6 mo. You'd hand over roughly $8,886.95 in interest on top of what you already owe — $13,886.95 total out of pocket.
This is the same kind of warning the federal government requires on credit card statements.
Balance over time
- Minimum
- Fixed
Total interest by scenario
Where your minimum payments go
- Principal
- Interest
Cumulative interest vs principal on the minimum-payment path.
Month-by-month schedule
| Mo | Payment | Interest | Principal | Balance | Next min |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $150.00 | $100.00 | $50.00 | $4,950.00 | $148.50 |
| 2 | $148.50 | $99.00 | $49.50 | $4,900.50 | $147.02 |
| 3 | $147.02 | $98.01 | $49.01 | $4,851.50 | $145.54 |
| 4 | $145.54 | $97.03 | $48.51 | $4,802.98 | $144.09 |
| 5 | $144.09 | $96.06 | $48.03 | $4,754.95 | $142.65 |
| 6 | $142.65 | $95.10 | $47.55 | $4,707.40 | $141.22 |
| 7 | $141.22 | $94.15 | $47.07 | $4,660.33 | $139.81 |
| 8 | $139.81 | $93.21 | $46.60 | $4,613.72 | $138.41 |
| 9 | $138.41 | $92.27 | $46.14 | $4,567.59 | $137.03 |
| 10 | $137.03 | $91.35 | $45.68 | $4,521.91 | $135.66 |
| 11 | $135.66 | $90.44 | $45.22 | $4,476.69 | $134.30 |
| 12 | $134.30 | $89.53 | $44.77 | $4,431.92 | $132.96 |
| 13 | $132.96 | $88.64 | $44.32 | $4,387.61 | $131.63 |
| 14 | $131.63 | $87.75 | $43.88 | $4,343.73 | $130.31 |
| 15 | $130.31 | $86.87 | $43.44 | $4,300.29 | $129.01 |
| 16 | $129.01 | $86.01 | $43.00 | $4,257.29 | $127.72 |
| 17 | $127.72 | $85.15 | $42.57 | $4,214.72 | $126.44 |
| 18 | $126.44 | $84.29 | $42.15 | $4,172.57 | $125.18 |
| 19 | $125.18 | $83.45 | $41.73 | $4,130.84 | $123.93 |
| 20 | $123.93 | $82.62 | $41.31 | $4,089.53 | $122.69 |
| 21 | $122.69 | $81.79 | $40.90 | $4,048.64 | $121.46 |
| 22 | $121.46 | $80.97 | $40.49 | $4,008.15 | $120.24 |
| 23 | $120.24 | $80.16 | $40.08 | $3,968.07 | $119.04 |
| 24 | $119.04 | $79.36 | $39.68 | $3,928.39 | $117.85 |
| 25 | $117.85 | $78.57 | $39.28 | $3,889.11 | $116.67 |
| 26 | $116.67 | $77.78 | $38.89 | $3,850.22 | $115.51 |
| 27 | $115.51 | $77.00 | $38.50 | $3,811.71 | $114.35 |
| 28 | $114.35 | $76.23 | $38.12 | $3,773.60 | $113.21 |
| 29 | $113.21 | $75.47 | $37.74 | $3,735.86 | $112.08 |
| 30 | $112.08 | $74.72 | $37.36 | $3,698.50 | $110.96 |
| 31 | $110.96 | $73.97 | $36.99 | $3,661.52 | $109.85 |
| 32 | $109.85 | $73.23 | $36.62 | $3,624.90 | $108.75 |
| 33 | $108.75 | $72.50 | $36.25 | $3,588.65 | $107.66 |
| 34 | $107.66 | $71.77 | $35.89 | $3,552.77 | $106.58 |
| 35 | $106.58 | $71.06 | $35.53 | $3,517.24 | $105.52 |
| 36 | $105.52 | $70.34 | $35.17 | $3,482.07 | $104.46 |
| 37 | $104.46 | $69.64 | $34.82 | $3,447.25 | $103.42 |
| 38 | $103.42 | $68.94 | $34.47 | $3,412.77 | $102.38 |
| 39 | $102.38 | $68.26 | $34.13 | $3,378.65 | $101.36 |
| 40 | $101.36 | $67.57 | $33.79 | $3,344.86 | $100.35 |
| 41 | $100.35 | $66.90 | $33.45 | $3,311.41 | $99.34 |
| 42 | $99.34 | $66.23 | $33.11 | $3,278.30 | $98.35 |
| 43 | $98.35 | $65.57 | $32.78 | $3,245.51 | $97.37 |
| 44 | $97.37 | $64.91 | $32.46 | $3,213.06 | $96.39 |
| 45 | $96.39 | $64.26 | $32.13 | $3,180.93 | $95.43 |
| 46 | $95.43 | $63.62 | $31.81 | $3,149.12 | $94.47 |
| 47 | $94.47 | $62.98 | $31.49 | $3,117.63 | $93.53 |
| 48 | $93.53 | $62.35 | $31.18 | $3,086.45 | $92.59 |
| 49 | $92.59 | $61.73 | $30.86 | $3,055.59 | $91.67 |
| 50 | $91.67 | $61.11 | $30.56 | $3,025.03 | $90.75 |
| 51 | $90.75 | $60.50 | $30.25 | $2,994.78 | $89.84 |
| 52 | $89.84 | $59.90 | $29.95 | $2,964.83 | $88.94 |
| 53 | $88.94 | $59.30 | $29.65 | $2,935.18 | $88.06 |
| 54 | $88.06 | $58.70 | $29.35 | $2,905.83 | $87.17 |
| 55 | $87.17 | $58.12 | $29.06 | $2,876.77 | $86.30 |
| 56 | $86.30 | $57.54 | $28.77 | $2,848.01 | $85.44 |
| 57 | $85.44 | $56.96 | $28.48 | $2,819.53 | $84.59 |
| 58 | $84.59 | $56.39 | $28.20 | $2,791.33 | $83.74 |
| 59 | $83.74 | $55.83 | $27.91 | $2,763.42 | $82.90 |
| 60 | $82.90 | $55.27 | $27.63 | $2,735.78 | $82.07 |
| 61 | $82.07 | $54.72 | $27.36 | $2,708.43 | $81.25 |
| 62 | $81.25 | $54.17 | $27.08 | $2,681.34 | $80.44 |
| 63 | $80.44 | $53.63 | $26.81 | $2,654.53 | $79.64 |
| 64 | $79.64 | $53.09 | $26.55 | $2,627.98 | $78.84 |
| 65 | $78.84 | $52.56 | $26.28 | $2,601.70 | $78.05 |
| 66 | $78.05 | $52.03 | $26.02 | $2,575.69 | $77.27 |
| 67 | $77.27 | $51.51 | $25.76 | $2,549.93 | $76.50 |
| 68 | $76.50 | $51.00 | $25.50 | $2,524.43 | $75.73 |
| 69 | $75.73 | $50.49 | $25.24 | $2,499.19 | $74.98 |
| 70 | $74.98 | $49.98 | $24.99 | $2,474.19 | $74.23 |
| 71 | $74.23 | $49.48 | $24.74 | $2,449.45 | $73.48 |
| 72 | $73.48 | $48.99 | $24.49 | $2,424.96 | $72.75 |
| 73 | $72.75 | $48.50 | $24.25 | $2,400.71 | $72.02 |
| 74 | $72.02 | $48.01 | $24.01 | $2,376.70 | $71.30 |
| 75 | $71.30 | $47.53 | $23.77 | $2,352.93 | $70.59 |
| 76 | $70.59 | $47.06 | $23.53 | $2,329.40 | $69.88 |
| 77 | $69.88 | $46.59 | $23.29 | $2,306.11 | $69.18 |
| 78 | $69.18 | $46.12 | $23.06 | $2,283.05 | $68.49 |
| 79 | $68.49 | $45.66 | $22.83 | $2,260.22 | $67.81 |
| 80 | $67.81 | $45.20 | $22.60 | $2,237.62 | $67.13 |
| 81 | $67.13 | $44.75 | $22.38 | $2,215.24 | $66.46 |
| 82 | $66.46 | $44.30 | $22.15 | $2,193.09 | $65.79 |
| 83 | $65.79 | $43.86 | $21.93 | $2,171.16 | $65.13 |
| 84 | $65.13 | $43.42 | $21.71 | $2,149.45 | $64.48 |
| 85 | $64.48 | $42.99 | $21.49 | $2,127.95 | $63.84 |
| 86 | $63.84 | $42.56 | $21.28 | $2,106.67 | $63.20 |
| 87 | $63.20 | $42.13 | $21.07 | $2,085.60 | $62.57 |
| 88 | $62.57 | $41.71 | $20.86 | $2,064.75 | $61.94 |
| 89 | $61.94 | $41.29 | $20.65 | $2,044.10 | $61.32 |
| 90 | $61.32 | $40.88 | $20.44 | $2,023.66 | $60.71 |
| 91 | $60.71 | $40.47 | $20.24 | $2,003.42 | $60.10 |
| 92 | $60.10 | $40.07 | $20.03 | $1,983.39 | $59.50 |
| 93 | $59.50 | $39.67 | $19.83 | $1,963.56 | $58.91 |
| 94 | $58.91 | $39.27 | $19.64 | $1,943.92 | $58.32 |
| 95 | $58.32 | $38.88 | $19.44 | $1,924.48 | $57.73 |
| 96 | $57.73 | $38.49 | $19.24 | $1,905.24 | $57.16 |
| 97 | $57.16 | $38.10 | $19.05 | $1,886.18 | $56.59 |
| 98 | $56.59 | $37.72 | $18.86 | $1,867.32 | $56.02 |
| 99 | $56.02 | $37.35 | $18.67 | $1,848.65 | $55.46 |
| 100 | $55.46 | $36.97 | $18.49 | $1,830.16 | $54.90 |
| 101 | $54.90 | $36.60 | $18.30 | $1,811.86 | $54.36 |
| 102 | $54.36 | $36.24 | $18.12 | $1,793.74 | $53.81 |
| 103 | $53.81 | $35.87 | $17.94 | $1,775.80 | $53.27 |
| 104 | $53.27 | $35.52 | $17.76 | $1,758.05 | $52.74 |
| 105 | $52.74 | $35.16 | $17.58 | $1,740.47 | $52.21 |
| 106 | $52.21 | $34.81 | $17.40 | $1,723.06 | $51.69 |
| 107 | $51.69 | $34.46 | $17.23 | $1,705.83 | $51.17 |
| 108 | $51.17 | $34.12 | $17.06 | $1,688.77 | $50.66 |
| 109 | $50.66 | $33.78 | $16.89 | $1,671.88 | $50.16 |
| 110 | $50.16 | $33.44 | $16.72 | $1,655.17 | $49.65 |
| 111 | $49.65 | $33.10 | $16.55 | $1,638.61 | $49.16 |
| 112 | $49.16 | $32.77 | $16.39 | $1,622.23 | $48.67 |
| 113 | $48.67 | $32.44 | $16.22 | $1,606.01 | $48.18 |
| 114 | $48.18 | $32.12 | $16.06 | $1,589.95 | $47.70 |
| 115 | $47.70 | $31.80 | $15.90 | $1,574.05 | $47.22 |
| 116 | $47.22 | $31.48 | $15.74 | $1,558.31 | $46.75 |
| 117 | $46.75 | $31.17 | $15.58 | $1,542.72 | $46.28 |
| 118 | $46.28 | $30.85 | $15.43 | $1,527.30 | $45.82 |
| 119 | $45.82 | $30.55 | $15.27 | $1,512.02 | $45.36 |
| 120 | $45.36 | $30.24 | $15.12 | $1,496.90 | $44.91 |
| 121 | $44.91 | $29.94 | $14.97 | $1,481.93 | $44.46 |
| 122 | $44.46 | $29.64 | $14.82 | $1,467.11 | $44.01 |
| 123 | $44.01 | $29.34 | $14.67 | $1,452.44 | $43.57 |
| 124 | $43.57 | $29.05 | $14.52 | $1,437.92 | $43.14 |
| 125 | $43.14 | $28.76 | $14.38 | $1,423.54 | $42.71 |
| 126 | $42.71 | $28.47 | $14.24 | $1,409.30 | $42.28 |
| 127 | $42.28 | $28.19 | $14.09 | $1,395.21 | $41.86 |
| 128 | $41.86 | $27.90 | $13.95 | $1,381.26 | $41.44 |
| 129 | $41.44 | $27.63 | $13.81 | $1,367.45 | $41.02 |
| 130 | $41.02 | $27.35 | $13.67 | $1,353.77 | $40.61 |
| 131 | $40.61 | $27.08 | $13.54 | $1,340.23 | $40.21 |
| 132 | $40.21 | $26.80 | $13.40 | $1,326.83 | $39.80 |
| 133 | $39.80 | $26.54 | $13.27 | $1,313.56 | $39.41 |
| 134 | $39.41 | $26.27 | $13.14 | $1,300.43 | $39.01 |
| 135 | $39.01 | $26.01 | $13.00 | $1,287.42 | $38.62 |
| 136 | $38.62 | $25.75 | $12.87 | $1,274.55 | $38.24 |
| 137 | $38.24 | $25.49 | $12.75 | $1,261.80 | $37.85 |
| 138 | $37.85 | $25.24 | $12.62 | $1,249.19 | $37.48 |
| 139 | $37.48 | $24.98 | $12.49 | $1,236.69 | $37.10 |
| 140 | $37.10 | $24.73 | $12.37 | $1,224.33 | $36.73 |
| 141 | $36.73 | $24.49 | $12.24 | $1,212.08 | $36.36 |
| 142 | $36.36 | $24.24 | $12.12 | $1,199.96 | $36.00 |
| 143 | $36.00 | $24.00 | $12.00 | $1,187.96 | $35.64 |
| 144 | $35.64 | $23.76 | $11.88 | $1,176.08 | $35.28 |
| 145 | $35.28 | $23.52 | $11.76 | $1,164.32 | $34.93 |
| 146 | $34.93 | $23.29 | $11.64 | $1,152.68 | $34.58 |
| 147 | $34.58 | $23.05 | $11.53 | $1,141.15 | $34.23 |
| 148 | $34.23 | $22.82 | $11.41 | $1,129.74 | $33.89 |
| 149 | $33.89 | $22.59 | $11.30 | $1,118.44 | $33.55 |
| 150 | $33.55 | $22.37 | $11.18 | $1,107.26 | $33.22 |
| 151 | $33.22 | $22.15 | $11.07 | $1,096.19 | $32.89 |
| 152 | $32.89 | $21.92 | $10.96 | $1,085.22 | $32.56 |
| 153 | $32.56 | $21.70 | $10.85 | $1,074.37 | $32.23 |
| 154 | $32.23 | $21.49 | $10.74 | $1,063.63 | $31.91 |
| 155 | $31.91 | $21.27 | $10.64 | $1,052.99 | $31.59 |
| 156 | $31.59 | $21.06 | $10.53 | $1,042.46 | $31.27 |
| 157 | $31.27 | $20.85 | $10.42 | $1,032.04 | $30.96 |
| 158 | $30.96 | $20.64 | $10.32 | $1,021.72 | $30.65 |
| 159 | $30.65 | $20.43 | $10.22 | $1,011.50 | $30.35 |
| 160 | $30.35 | $20.23 | $10.12 | $1,001.39 | $30.04 |
| 161 | $30.04 | $20.03 | $10.01 | $991.37 | $29.74 |
| 162 | $29.74 | $19.83 | $9.91 | $981.46 | $29.44 |
| 163 | $29.44 | $19.63 | $9.81 | $971.64 | $29.15 |
| 164 | $29.15 | $19.43 | $9.72 | $961.93 | $28.86 |
| 165 | $28.86 | $19.24 | $9.62 | $952.31 | $28.57 |
| 166 | $28.57 | $19.05 | $9.52 | $942.78 | $28.28 |
| 167 | $28.28 | $18.86 | $9.43 | $933.36 | $28.00 |
| 168 | $28.00 | $18.67 | $9.33 | $924.02 | $27.72 |
| 169 | $27.72 | $18.48 | $9.24 | $914.78 | $27.44 |
| 170 | $27.44 | $18.30 | $9.15 | $905.63 | $27.17 |
| 171 | $27.17 | $18.11 | $9.06 | $896.58 | $26.90 |
| 172 | $26.90 | $17.93 | $8.97 | $887.61 | $26.63 |
| 173 | $26.63 | $17.75 | $8.88 | $878.74 | $26.36 |
| 174 | $26.36 | $17.57 | $8.79 | $869.95 | $26.10 |
| 175 | $26.10 | $17.40 | $8.70 | $861.25 | $25.84 |
| 176 | $25.84 | $17.22 | $8.61 | $852.64 | $25.58 |
| 177 | $25.58 | $17.05 | $8.53 | $844.11 | $25.32 |
| 178 | $25.32 | $16.88 | $8.44 | $835.67 | $25.07 |
| 179 | $25.07 | $16.71 | $8.36 | $827.31 | $25.00 |
| 180 | $25.00 | $16.55 | $8.45 | $818.86 | $25.00 |
| 181 | $25.00 | $16.38 | $8.62 | $810.24 | $25.00 |
| 182 | $25.00 | $16.20 | $8.80 | $801.44 | $25.00 |
| 183 | $25.00 | $16.03 | $8.97 | $792.47 | $25.00 |
| 184 | $25.00 | $15.85 | $9.15 | $783.32 | $25.00 |
| 185 | $25.00 | $15.67 | $9.33 | $773.99 | $25.00 |
| 186 | $25.00 | $15.48 | $9.52 | $764.47 | $25.00 |
| 187 | $25.00 | $15.29 | $9.71 | $754.75 | $25.00 |
| 188 | $25.00 | $15.10 | $9.90 | $744.85 | $25.00 |
| 189 | $25.00 | $14.90 | $10.10 | $734.75 | $25.00 |
| 190 | $25.00 | $14.69 | $10.31 | $724.44 | $25.00 |
| 191 | $25.00 | $14.49 | $10.51 | $713.93 | $25.00 |
| 192 | $25.00 | $14.28 | $10.72 | $703.21 | $25.00 |
| 193 | $25.00 | $14.06 | $10.94 | $692.27 | $25.00 |
| 194 | $25.00 | $13.85 | $11.15 | $681.12 | $25.00 |
| 195 | $25.00 | $13.62 | $11.38 | $669.74 | $25.00 |
| 196 | $25.00 | $13.39 | $11.61 | $658.14 | $25.00 |
| 197 | $25.00 | $13.16 | $11.84 | $646.30 | $25.00 |
| 198 | $25.00 | $12.93 | $12.07 | $634.22 | $25.00 |
| 199 | $25.00 | $12.68 | $12.32 | $621.91 | $25.00 |
| 200 | $25.00 | $12.44 | $12.56 | $609.35 | $25.00 |
| 201 | $25.00 | $12.19 | $12.81 | $596.53 | $25.00 |
| 202 | $25.00 | $11.93 | $13.07 | $583.47 | $25.00 |
| 203 | $25.00 | $11.67 | $13.33 | $570.13 | $25.00 |
| 204 | $25.00 | $11.40 | $13.60 | $556.54 | $25.00 |
| 205 | $25.00 | $11.13 | $13.87 | $542.67 | $25.00 |
| 206 | $25.00 | $10.85 | $14.15 | $528.52 | $25.00 |
| 207 | $25.00 | $10.57 | $14.43 | $514.09 | $25.00 |
| 208 | $25.00 | $10.28 | $14.72 | $499.37 | $25.00 |
| 209 | $25.00 | $9.99 | $15.01 | $484.36 | $25.00 |
| 210 | $25.00 | $9.69 | $15.31 | $469.05 | $25.00 |
| 211 | $25.00 | $9.38 | $15.62 | $453.43 | $25.00 |
| 212 | $25.00 | $9.07 | $15.93 | $437.50 | $25.00 |
| 213 | $25.00 | $8.75 | $16.25 | $421.25 | $25.00 |
| 214 | $25.00 | $8.42 | $16.58 | $404.67 | $25.00 |
| 215 | $25.00 | $8.09 | $16.91 | $387.77 | $25.00 |
| 216 | $25.00 | $7.76 | $17.24 | $370.52 | $25.00 |
| 217 | $25.00 | $7.41 | $17.59 | $352.93 | $25.00 |
| 218 | $25.00 | $7.06 | $17.94 | $334.99 | $25.00 |
| 219 | $25.00 | $6.70 | $18.30 | $316.69 | $25.00 |
| 220 | $25.00 | $6.33 | $18.67 | $298.02 | $25.00 |
| 221 | $25.00 | $5.96 | $19.04 | $278.98 | $25.00 |
| 222 | $25.00 | $5.58 | $19.42 | $259.56 | $25.00 |
| 223 | $25.00 | $5.19 | $19.81 | $239.76 | $25.00 |
| 224 | $25.00 | $4.80 | $20.20 | $219.55 | $25.00 |
| 225 | $25.00 | $4.39 | $20.61 | $198.94 | $25.00 |
| 226 | $25.00 | $3.98 | $21.02 | $177.92 | $25.00 |
| 227 | $25.00 | $3.56 | $21.44 | $156.48 | $25.00 |
| 228 | $25.00 | $3.13 | $21.87 | $134.61 | $25.00 |
| 229 | $25.00 | $2.69 | $22.31 | $112.30 | $25.00 |
| 230 | $25.00 | $2.25 | $22.75 | $89.55 | $25.00 |
| 231 | $25.00 | $1.79 | $23.21 | $66.34 | $25.00 |
| 232 | $25.00 | $1.33 | $23.67 | $42.66 | $25.00 |
| 233 | $25.00 | $0.85 | $24.15 | $18.52 | $25.00 |
| 234 | $18.89 | $0.37 | $18.52 | $0.00 | $0.00 |
Before you trust the minimum
• The minimum is built to keep your account in good standing — not to get you debt-free.
• Keep swiping the card and payoff slides further away. Every new charge resets the clock.
• A late payment, an over-limit hit, or a penalty APR can spike your minimum and your total cost.
• A small minimum feels easy this month. It quietly costs you for years.
How we calculated your minimum
This is an estimate, not your issuer's exact billing calculation. Minimum-payment formulas vary by issuer. Fees, past-due amounts, over-limit amounts, penalty APRs, and new purchases can change the result. This estimate assumes a typical monthly billing cycle.
How this calculator works
Minimum payments
Issuers typically calculate the minimum as a small percentage of the balance, or that percentage plus current interest and fees, with a fixed-dollar floor like $25 or $35. If your balance is below the floor, the minimum is usually the full remaining balance.
Why minimums shrink
When the minimum is a percentage of the balance, the dollar amount falls as the balance falls. That can stretch payoff out for many years.
How interest is added
We compound monthly using your APR divided by 12. Interest is added to the balance each month before the payment is applied.
Fixed and target comparisons
The fixed-payment view uses your chosen monthly amount until the balance reaches zero. The target view uses standard amortization to back-solve the payment needed to clear the balance in the months you choose.
FAQ
Want a payoff plan, not just a number?
Try our free payoff planner — same calm, practical approach.
This is an estimate for education only — not financial, legal, or tax advice. Your actual payments, interest, fees, and payoff dates depend on your issuer's terms, new charges, and any late or returned payments.
Calculations use simplified assumptions (for example, fixed APRs and no new spending). Real-world results may differ.
Use these numbers as guidance — not as a promise of approval, a specific score change, or a guaranteed payoff date. Always confirm the details with your card agreement or a qualified professional before acting.
Issuer minimum-payment formulas vary. Always check your statement and cardholder agreement for the exact terms.