Debt Payoff Calculator

Find out how long it takes to clear a balance and how much interest you will pay.

Find Out When You Will Be Debt Free

This debt payoff calculator shows how long it will take to clear a balance, such as a credit card, and how much interest you will pay along the way. Enter the balance, the annual interest rate and the fixed amount you can pay each month to see your payoff time, total interest and total paid. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing is stored.

Why the minimum payment traps you

On high-interest debt, a large share of each minimum payment goes to interest, so the balance barely moves. Paying only the minimum can stretch a payoff over many years and multiply the total cost. Paying a fixed amount above the minimum is the fastest way to break the cycle.

How extra payments help

Every dollar above the interest charge goes straight to the principal, which lowers next months interest and accelerates the payoff. Even a small, consistent increase to your monthly payment can cut months or years off the timeline and save a large amount of interest.

Snowball versus avalanche

With multiple debts, the avalanche method targets the highest interest rate first to minimise total interest, while the snowball method clears the smallest balance first for quick motivating wins. Both work; pick the one you will stick with.

Estimates only — not financial advice. If your payment does not cover the monthly interest, the balance will never reduce, so increase the payment to make progress.

Frequently asked questions

How long will it take to pay off my debt?

Enter your balance, interest rate and fixed monthly payment and the calculator shows the number of months, along with the total interest and total paid.

Why does paying the minimum cost so much?

On high-interest debt most of the minimum payment goes to interest, so the balance barely falls and the payoff stretches over years.

What is the difference between snowball and avalanche?

Avalanche pays the highest interest rate first to save the most money, while snowball clears the smallest balance first for quick wins. Both reduce debt.

What if my payment does not cover the interest?

Then the balance will not go down. You need to pay more than the monthly interest charge for the debt to reduce.