A 0% balance transfer offer can save real money, but only if the savings are larger than the fee and you can pay most of the balance before the promotion ends. Enter your numbers below to compare keeping your balance where it is with moving it to a new card, using the same monthly payment in both cases.
How the comparison works
For the current card, the calculator applies your APR to the remaining balance each month and subtracts your payment. For the new card, it adds the transfer fee to the balance, charges no interest during the intro period, and then applies the regular APR to whatever is left. The total cost is the interest plus the fee, so you can compare the two options on equal terms.
Assumptions and limits
- It assumes a fixed APR, the same monthly payment in both scenarios, and no new purchases on either card.
- Many offers charge the fee as a percentage of the transferred amount, often with a minimum dollar amount. Check the exact terms of the offer.
- A late payment can end a promotional rate early on some cards, which would raise the cost of transferring.
- Approval and your credit limit are not guaranteed, so you may not be able to transfer the full balance.
- Results are for education only and are not personalized financial advice.
Before you transfer a balance
- Compare the fee with the interest you would save, which is what this calculator does.
- Check how long the 0% period lasts and what the APR becomes afterwards.
- Plan to pay down as much as possible before the promotion ends.
- Avoid putting new purchases on the card, since they may not get the same 0% rate.
- Read our guide: Balance Transfers Explained: How They Work and When They Make Sense.
- Run the numbers for your current card with our credit card payoff calculator.
Official resources
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau provides guides on credit cards and their fees. Always read the offer’s terms and your cardholder agreement before you transfer a balance.