Balance Transfer Calculator

Use the Balance Transfer Calculator

Your results

Estimated savings: $0.00
Balance transfer fee: $0.00
Current payoff cost: $0.00
Balance transfer payoff cost: $0.00
Transfer payoff time: 0 months

How this calculator works

What it does: Compare a current credit card payoff plan with a balance transfer that includes a transfer fee, promotional APR, and post-promo APR.
Inputs used: The estimate uses current card balance, current apr (%), monthly payment, promotional apr (%), promotional months, transfer fee (%), and post-promo apr (%).
Calculation approach: The calculator applies the relationships defined for the balance transfer calculator to those inputs and updates estimated savings, balance transfer fee, current payoff cost, balance transfer payoff cost, and transfer payoff time.
How to read the result: Treat the result as a scenario based on the values entered. Compare a few reasonable inputs and consider costs, taxes, timing, or risks that the calculator does not include.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter Current card balance, Current APR (%), and Monthly payment using values that match the scenario you want to evaluate.
Enter Promotional APR (%), Promotional months, and Transfer fee (%) using values that match the scenario you want to evaluate.
Enter Post-promo APR (%) using values that match the scenario you want to evaluate.
Review the assumptions for the balance transfer calculator, especially rates, time periods, and optional amounts.
Select Calculate to update the results, then adjust one input at a time to compare scenarios.

Understanding the Results

Estimated savings: The estimated savings estimated by the Balance Transfer Calculator using current card balance, current apr (%), and monthly payment and the other values entered.
Balance transfer fee: The balance transfer fee estimated by the Balance Transfer Calculator using current card balance, current apr (%), and monthly payment and the other values entered.
Current payoff cost: The current payoff cost estimated by the Balance Transfer Calculator using current card balance, current apr (%), and monthly payment and the other values entered.
Balance transfer payoff cost: The balance transfer payoff cost estimated by the Balance Transfer Calculator using current card balance, current apr (%), and monthly payment and the other values entered.
Transfer payoff time: The estimated time needed to reach the target under the current contribution, payment, and growth assumptions.

Common Mistakes

Treating an assumed return, growth rate, inflation rate, or yield as guaranteed.
Leaving out taxes, fees, inflation, or timing differences that can affect real-world results.
Mixing monthly and annual figures or entering percentages in the wrong units.
Relying on one projection instead of comparing a range of reasonable assumptions.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Balance Transfer Calculator compare offers?

It compares the current payoff schedule with a transferred balance that includes the transfer fee and promotional APR period.

Why can a balance transfer fee still be worth paying?

A fee can be outweighed by lower interest during the promotional period if the payment plan reduces the balance quickly enough.

What happens after the promotional APR ends?

Any remaining balance begins accruing interest at the post-promo APR entered in the calculator.

Does this include new purchases on the transfer card?

No. New purchases, late payments, penalty APRs, annual fees, and issuer allocation rules are not included.

What if the transfer plan does not pay off the balance?

If the payment cannot overcome interest after the promo period, the calculator reports that the transfer payoff is not finite under the current assumptions.

What does the Balance Transfer Calculator calculate?

Compare a current credit card payoff plan with a balance transfer that includes a transfer fee, promotional APR, and post-promo APR. The result is based only on the inputs and assumptions shown on the page.

How should I interpret the estimated savings from the Balance Transfer Calculator?

Use it as an estimate for the scenario entered, not as a guarantee or personal recommendation. Test changes to current card balance, current apr (%), and monthly payment to see which assumptions have the greatest effect.