How long does it take to pay off a credit card with minimum payments?

Take a $5,000 balance at 22.9% APR. A typical minimum is about 1% of the balance plus that month's interest, which works out to roughly $145 at the start. Even if you keep paying that same $145 every month and never let it shrink, it takes 4 years 9 months and about $3,231 in interest. Real minimums go down as the balance goes down, so the actual payoff takes even longer.

Pay a flat $250 instead and you're done in 2 years 2 months with about $1,358 in interest.

Try your own card above. The rule is simple: pick a fixed payment and don't let it fall when the minimum does.

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Not financial advice. These tools are for planning only. Numbers are illustrative; your lender's statements control.