Balance Transfer Calculator
Moving a balance to a 0% card can save a lot, but the transfer fee eats into it. See whether a transfer actually comes out ahead, and what it takes to clear the balance before the promo ends.
Enter your balance, APR, and payment to see if a transfer is worth it.
How the math works
A balance transfer is worth it when the interest you avoid is bigger than the fee you pay to move the debt. The calculator compares two paths at the same monthly payment:
- Stay: keep the balance where it is and pay it down at your current APR.
- Transfer: add the transfer fee to the balance, pay 0% (or your intro rate) during the promo, then the regular rate on anything left over.
The difference between the two, after subtracting the fee, is your net savings. One important detail: a true 0% intro card does not charge retroactive interest when the promo ends, unlike a deferred-interest store promotion. Only the remaining balance gets charged, and only going forward.
Worked example
A $6,000 balance at 22.9% APR, paying $350 a month, transferred to a card with a 3% fee and 0% for 18 months:
- Transfer fee: $180
- Interest if you stay: about $1,336
- Interest if you transfer: $0 (the balance clears inside the 18-month window)
- Net savings: about $1,156
The $180 fee pays for itself in about two months of avoided interest. To be sure you finish before the 0% ends, aim to pay at least the balance plus fee divided by the intro months, here about $344 a month.
When a transfer is not worth it
Transfers do not always win. If your balance is small, your current APR is low, or you would clear the debt in a month or two anyway, the fee can cost more than the interest you save. A $2,000 balance at 12% APR that you would pay off in six months saves only about $62 in interest, so a 5% ($100) fee actually loses you money. The calculator will tell you plainly when that is the case.
Frequently asked questions
Is a balance transfer worth it?
When the interest saved beats the fee. With a current APR in the low twenties and a balance you will carry more than a couple of months, a transfer almost always comes out ahead. The calculator checks it for your numbers.
How is the transfer fee calculated?
A percentage of the amount transferred, typically 3% to 5% with a small minimum. On $6,000 at 3%, that is $180, added to the new balance upfront.
What happens when the 0% period ends?
Any balance still unpaid starts accruing interest at the card's regular APR. A true 0% intro card charges no retroactive interest, unlike a deferred-interest store promotion. Only the remaining balance is charged, going forward.
What payment clears it before the promo ends?
Divide the balance plus the transfer fee by the number of intro months. Pay at least that each month and you clear the debt at 0%, paying only the fee.
Disclaimer. This calculator is for educational and planning purposes only and is not financial advice. Offers, fees, and APRs vary and change often, and new purchases on a transfer card usually do not get the promo rate. Confirm the exact terms of any card before applying, and consider a qualified advisor or nonprofit credit counselor for help with debt.
Sources: transfer fee and 0% intro mechanics confirmed against Bankrate and NerdWallet, including the no-retroactive-interest distinction from deferred interest.