Calculer

Calculer

%

Updates as you type

Résultat

La formule

With monthly rate r = APR/12 and payment P > r×Balance, months n = ln(P / (P − rB)) / ln(1+r). We also simulate month-by-month for total interest and a possible final partial payment. If P ≤ monthly interest, principal never declines.

n = ln(P ÷ (P − rB)) ÷ ln(1+r) · r = APR ÷ 12

Exemple détaillé

  1. Balance $5,000, APR 22%, payment $200/mo
  2. Monthly rate r ≈ 0.01833; first-month interest ≈ $91.67
  3. Closed-form n ≈ 32 months; simulate for exact interest total

Résultat: Roughly 2–3 years depending on exact payment schedule

How payoff time is estimated

Revolving credit compounds monthly. Fixed payments above interest gradually retire principal.

Minimum payment trap

Card minimums are often a small percentage of balance plus interest. Paying only the minimum can stretch payoff for years. This tool uses a fixed dollar payment you choose.

Payment too low

If your payment is less than or equal to that month’s interest, the balance does not fall (and may grow). Raise the payment above monthly interest to make progress.

Assumptions

Fixed APR, no new charges, no fees, payment applied at month-end after interest accrues. Real statements may use daily balance methods — treat results as planning estimates.

Faits intéressants

Interest first

Each payment covers accrued interest first; only the remainder reduces principal.

APR vs daily rate

Issuers often use a daily periodic rate. Monthly APR/12 is a close planning approximation.

New purchases hurt

Adding charges while paying down resets the clock — this model assumes no new spending.

Avalanche vs snowball

With multiple cards, targeting highest APR first usually minimizes interest (avalanche method).

CFPB resources

Consumer agencies publish guidance on understanding credit card interest and payoff strategies.

Questions fréquentes

Enter balance, APR, and monthly payment. We estimate months to zero and total interest, or warn if the payment is too low.

Your payment does not exceed monthly interest, so principal never shrinks. Increase the payment above the interest amount shown.

No. It assumes you stop using the card and pay a fixed amount each month.

Monthly rate ≈ APR ÷ 12. A 24% APR is about 2% per month on the balance.

Références

  1. How to pay off credit card debt — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Consumer strategies for revolving debt.
  2. What is a credit card APR? — Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Plain-language APR explanation.