Balance transfer calculator
Low-rate transfer offers look good, but the fee and the rate after the promo can shrink the saving. This runs both cases at the same payment.
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Processing and privacy: The result is calculated inside your browser and your data is not sent to any server.
How to use it
- Enter balance, current apr, monthly payment, transfer fee, promo apr and promo length.
- The result appears straight away and updates as you edit.
- Copy the result, or copy a link that keeps the same values to share it.
How it is calculated
Current: pay the balance at the current APR. Transfer: balance × (1 + fee %), at the promo APR for its months, then the later APR. Saving = current interest − (transfer interest + fee).
Example
Inputs: Balance = 5,000, Current APR = 22 %, Monthly payment = 300, Transfer fee = 4 %, Promo APR = 0 %. Result: Saving from the transfer: 277.60; Months to pay off without transfer: 21 months; Interest without transfer: 1,021.60.
Limits and caveats
- Assumes the fee is added to the transferred balance and no new purchases.
- A negative saving means the transfer costs more than staying.
Questions about this tool
When is a transfer not worth it?
When the fee is high and the promo is short compared with your payoff time, the later interest can wipe out the saving.
Do I pay the same amount after transferring?
The calculator uses the same payment for a fair comparison. Paying more during the promo raises the saving.
What happens when the promo ends?
Any balance left is charged the later APR you entered until it is paid.