Credit cards charge the highest interest rates of any consumer debt — 18–29% APR. Enter your balance and payment to see your exact payoff date and how much interest you'll save by paying more.
Strategy
Strategy comparison
| ❄ Snowball | 📉 Avalanche | |
|---|---|---|
| Payoff date | Mar 2028 | Mar 2028 |
| Total interest | $1,121 | $1,121 |
| Months to payoff | 20 | 20 |
| You save | $0 | — |
Balance over time
Payment schedule
| Month | Debt | Payment | Principal | Interest | Remaining |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mo 1 | Credit Card | $335 | $232 | $103 | $5,168 |
| Mo 2 | Credit Card | $335 | $236 | $99 | $4,932 |
| Mo 3 | Credit Card | $335 | $241 | $94 | $4,692 |
| Mo 4 | Credit Card | $335 | $245 | $90 | $4,447 |
| Mo 5 | Credit Card | $335 | $250 | $85 | $4,197 |
| Mo 6 | Credit Card | $335 | $255 | $80 | $3,942 |
| Mo 7 | Credit Card | $335 | $259 | $76 | $3,683 |
| Mo 8 | Credit Card | $335 | $264 | $71 | $3,419 |
| Mo 9 | Credit Card | $335 | $270 | $65 | $3,149 |
| Mo 10 | Credit Card | $335 | $275 | $60 | $2,874 |
| Mo 11 | Credit Card | $335 | $280 | $55 | $2,594 |
| Mo 12 | Credit Card | $335 | $285 | $50 | $2,309 |
Strategy
The minimum payment is designed to keep you in debt forever. Even $50–100/month extra dramatically changes your payoff date. See the slider in the calculator above.
Call your card issuer and ask for a rate reduction. Success rate is 65–70% for customers with 12+ months of on-time payments. Script: 'I've been a customer since [year] and always paid on time — can you lower my rate?'
If your credit score is 680+, a 0% intro APR card for 15–21 months stops interest compounding entirely. Every payment goes to principal. Transfer fee (3–5%) pays for itself in 2–3 months of saved interest.
Tax refunds, bonuses, and side income should go directly to your highest-rate card. A $2,000 lump sum on a $6,000 balance at 22% APR cuts your remaining payoff time almost in half.
Shocked by how long minimums take? See the full breakdown — exactly how much each extra dollar saves you in interest and time.
Minimum vs. Extra →Multiple credit cards? The order you pay them off matters. See snowball vs. avalanche compared — interest saved, time to payoff, and which to pick.
Snowball vs. Avalanche →Thinking about consolidating your cards first? See debt consolidation vs. payoff strategy — when rolling balances into one loan beats paying them off directly.
Consolidation vs. Payoff →Following Ramsey's Baby Steps or questioning them? See Dave Ramsey vs. avalanche — his snowball vs. the math-optimal approach for credit card debt.
Ramsey vs. Avalanche →Thinking about consolidating your cards into a personal loan? See the personal loan payoff calculator — compare your payoff timeline at a lower fixed rate.
Personal Loan Calculator →Also carrying medical bills? See the medical debt guide — most hospital bills are 0% interest and should be handled differently from credit card debt.
Medical Debt Guide →Also carrying student loans? See the student loan payoff calculator — federal loans have different rules from credit cards and may belong at the back of your payoff order.
Student Loan Calculator →Balance too large to see a realistic payoff date? See all debt relief options compared — credit counseling, settlement, and what each actually costs.
Debt Relief Options →Want to stop interest compounding while you pay off? Compare the top 0% balance transfer cards — intro periods, transfer fees, and credit requirements side by side.
Compare Cards →Have your payoff plan — now track it. Print the free debt payoff worksheet — debt list, 12-month payment log, and milestone checkboxes.
Print Worksheet →Want a fuller planning tool? Download the free 9-page PDF planner — monthly logs, a debt thermometer to color in, and milestone tracker.
Get PDF Planner →Want to run the numbers yourself? Download the free debt payoff spreadsheet — plug in your balances and rates, and it maps out your full payoff timeline.
Get Spreadsheet →Not sure whether to transfer your balance or take out a loan? See balance transfer vs. personal loan compared — the math on which saves more for your balance size and timeline.
Compare Options →Curious how others paid off credit card debt? Read real debt payoff stories — real balances, real timelines, and what made the difference.
Read Stories →Want your exact payoff date? Use the free debt payoff calculator— enter your balance, rate, and payment and see how long until you're free.
Try the Calculator →Want deeper guides on paying off credit card debt? Browse the debt payoff blog — strategy breakdowns, method comparisons, and step-by-step guides.
Read the Blog →Carrying credit card balances spikes your debt-to-income ratio. Use the free DTI calculator — see how your current balances affect loan eligibility and what payoff does to your ratio.
DTI Calculator →Credit card debt is the fastest way to shrink your net worth. Track your progress with the net worth calculator — watch assets minus liabilities improve with every payment you make.
Net Worth Calculator →High credit card APRs make the avalanche method especially powerful here. Use the avalanche payoff calculator — see how much total interest you save by targeting the highest rate first.
Avalanche Calculator →Prefer quick wins to keep momentum? Use the snowball calculator — clear your smallest credit card balance first and watch the domino effect build.
Snowball Calculator →Moving your balance to a 0% card could eliminate interest entirely. Use the balance transfer calculator— enter your balance and see exactly how much you save and when you'll be free.
Balance Transfer Calculator →Not sure what APR, utilization, or minimum payment really means? Browse the debt payoff glossary— plain-English definitions for every term you'll encounter.
Debt Glossary →Ready to move fast? Read: How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt Fast — the three moves that stack together to cut your payoff timeline in half.
Pay Off Debt Fast →FAQ