0% Balance Transfer Calculator
A 0% balance transfer moves card debt to a new card that charges no interest for a promotional period, usually 12 to 21 months, in exchange for a fee of about 3% to 5% of the amount moved. It is cheaper than staying put whenever the fee is less than the interest you would otherwise pay, and you clear the balance before the promo ends.
This calculator moves your highest-APR card balances first, up to the credit limit, adds the fee, and shows the monthly payment needed to reach zero before the promo expires: on $8,000 at a 3% fee over 18 months that is $458. It also shows the cost if you pay only minimums and let the post-promo rate kick in, and what any untransferred debts still cost.
Results
To clear it before the promo ends, pay
$555 a month
Moving $9,700 with a 3% fee ($291) gives a $9,991 balance at 0% for 18 months. Paid that way the whole thing costs $291, versus $2,717 in interest staying put at $490 a month.
A 3% fee on $9,700 is $291 up front. Paying $555 a month clears the balance inside the 18-month promo and saves about $2,426 compared with staying on the current cards, if you qualify and add no new charges.
Enable JavaScript to edit the numbers above and see your own plan, charts, and month-by-month schedule.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a balance transfer cost?
The fee, typically 3% to 5% of the amount moved, added to the new balance. Moving $8,000 at 3% costs $240 and gives you an $8,240 balance at 0%. If you clear it during the promo, that $240 is the entire cost. Some cards offer no fee for a shorter promo; the calculator lets you enter either.
What monthly payment clears the balance before the promo ends?
Divide the transferred balance plus fee by the number of promo months. For $8,240 over 18 months that is $458 a month. Paying less leaves a remainder that starts accruing interest at the regular rate, often 24% or more, the day the promo expires. The calculator shows both outcomes side by side.
What happens if I only pay the minimum during the 0% period?
Most of the balance is still there when the promo ends, and it then accrues interest at the post-promo APR. On the example, paying minimums leaves the bulk of the balance and turns a $240 cost into well over a thousand dollars. The promo only saves money if you treat it as a deadline.
Does a balance transfer hurt my credit score?
Applying causes a small temporary dip from the hard inquiry, and a new account lowers your average account age. But moving a balance from a maxed-out card to a new one usually lowers utilization on the old card, which helps. Keep the old card open with a zero balance and the net effect is often neutral or positive.
Can I transfer more than the new card's credit limit?
No. Issuers typically approve a limit below the amount you asked to transfer, and some cap transfers at a percentage of the limit. The calculator moves your highest-rate balances first up to the limit you enter and keeps the rest on the original cards, run through the avalanche order, so the total picture is realistic.
Should I pick a balance transfer or a consolidation loan?
A transfer is cheaper when you can clear the balance inside the promo and the fee is low; a loan wins for larger balances, longer timelines, or when the limit you can get is too small. Use the consolidation calculator for the loan side and compare total cost, not monthly payment.