Balance transfer calculator
A 0% balance transfer can save a lot of interest, but it costs a fee up front and the rate jumps when the intro period ends. Compare staying on your current card with transferring, using the payment you can actually afford.
Save this plan
Debt Sunset turns these numbers into a plan you can follow: every card and loan, real billing cycles, what to pay each month, and progress as balances fall. Free for 30 days, no card needed.
When a balance transfer is worth it
The fee, usually 3% to 5% of the balance, is added to what you owe on day one. It pays for itself when the interest you avoid during the intro period is bigger than the fee, which is most of the time if you carry a balance at 20% or more and can pay a real chunk each month.
The trap is the deadline. Whatever is left when the intro period ends starts collecting the regular APR. The calculator shows the payment that clears the whole balance in time; if that is out of reach, a longer intro period can matter more than a lower fee.
Questions
Can I transfer a balance between two cards from the same bank?
Almost never. Issuers only accept transfers from other banks’ cards, so pick an offer from a different issuer.
Can I lose the 0% rate early?
Yes. A late payment can end the promotion and trigger a penalty APR on many cards. Set up at least the minimum as an automatic payment.
Do new purchases get 0% too?
Only if the card also has a 0% purchase offer. Otherwise new purchases collect interest at the regular APR. This calculator assumes no new charges.
Will a balance transfer hurt my credit score?
Applying adds a hard inquiry, which usually dips a score slightly for a few months. Paying the balance down lowers your credit utilization, which tends to help more over time.
Estimates assume fixed APRs, no new charges and on-time payments, with interest charged monthly at APR ÷ 12. Card issuers calculate interest daily, so real totals can differ slightly. A calculator, not financial advice.