Balance Transfer Calculator
Find out if moving a credit-card balance to a 0% promo card saves money after the transfer fee — interest both ways, payoff time and the payment that clears it within the promo.
Updated November 2026
This is an estimate for general information only and is not financial, tax or investment advice. Figures may differ from a lender or advisor.
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This balance transfer calculator tells you whether moving a credit-card balance to a card with a 0% (or low) promotional APR will actually save money once the transfer fee is counted. It runs two scenarios side by side with the same monthly payment: keep paying the balance at your current APR, or transfer it, pay the fee, enjoy the promo rate for the promo period, and then pay the new card's regular APR on whatever is left.
The key number is whether you can clear the transferred balance before the promo ends. If you can, the fee is the only cost and the saving is usually large; if you cannot, interest at the regular rate starts again on the remainder, and a long payoff can eat the benefit. Interest is accrued monthly at APR ÷ 12 on the outstanding balance, the standard simplified model for card interest.
How to use it
- 1Enter your current balance, the card's APR and the monthly payment you can afford.
- 2Enter the transfer offer: the fee (usually 3–5% of the balance), the promo APR and how many months it lasts, and the card's regular APR afterwards.
- 3Read the verdict, how long each option takes to pay off, and the payment needed to clear the balance within the promo window.
Frequently asked questions
Is a balance transfer worth it if there is a 3% fee?+
Usually yes when the balance is large, the current APR is high and you can pay most of it off during the promo. On a $5,000 balance at 24% APR, a 3% fee is $150, while a year of interest at 24% is roughly $1,000 — so the fee is small compared with the interest avoided. The calculator shows the exact comparison for your numbers.
What happens when the promo period ends?+
Any remaining balance starts accruing interest at the card's regular APR, which is often as high as the card you left. That is why the “payment to clear in promo” figure matters: paying at least that much each month means you never pay interest on the transferred balance.
Can I lose the 0% rate?+
Yes. Most issuers cancel the promotional APR if you miss a payment, and new purchases on the card may accrue interest immediately at the regular rate. The model assumes on-time payments and no new spending on the card.
Does a balance transfer hurt my credit score?+
Applying for the new card adds a hard inquiry and a new account, which can dip the score briefly; paying the balance down faster lowers your credit utilization, which tends to help over time. This calculator only covers the money side, not scoring.
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