Balance Transfer Savings Calculator
Calculate savings and break-even point for 0% APR balance transfers.
A 0% APR balance transfer can save interest, but transfer fees (typically 3–5%) eat into savings. Break-even is when interest saved equals the transfer fee. If you can pay off the balance before the 0% period ends, you come out ahead. This calculator shows savings and break-even so you can decide if a transfer makes sense.
Inputs
Results
Transfer fee: $150
Interest saved (0% period): —
Net savings: —
Break-even (months): —
Insights
Formula
Transfer fee = Balance * fee% Interest saved = sum of monthly interest that would have accrued Break-even = months until interest saved >= transfer fee
Input Definitions
What does each input mean?
- Balance
- The amount you plan to transfer to the new 0% APR card.
- Current APR
- Your current card's annual percentage rate. Interest you would pay if you didn't transfer.
- Transfer fee %
- One-time fee charged by the new card issuer, typically 3–5% of the transferred amount.
- 0% period
- Months the new card offers 0% APR on transferred balances.
- Monthly payment
- Fixed amount you'll pay each month toward the balance.
Related Calculators
Is a Balance Transfer Actually Worth It?
Balance transfer offers look compelling — 0% APR for 12–18 months — but they come with transfer fees, introductory period expiration dates, and the risk that you’ll need to pay off the balance before the rate resets. This calculator helps you model the total cost of a transfer versus staying with your current card, so you can make a data-driven decision rather than going on gut feel.
It’s most useful when you’ve received a balance transfer offer and want to know the actual savings after fees, when you’re trying to calculate whether you can realistically pay off the balance within the promotional period, or when you’re comparing multiple transfer offers with different rates and fee structures. A transfer that looks like a great deal can sometimes cost more than it saves.