Payoff time + minimum-due trap

Credit Card Interest Calculator

See how many months it takes to clear your card, the total interest you'll pay, and how much the minimum-payment trap really costs.

Results update live
% / month

≈ 42% per year

The amount you'll pay every month until the card is cleared.

Time to clear

Enter your balance, rate and payment

Quick Facts

  • • Typical Indian card rate: 3.0%–3.75%/month (≈ 36%–45% p.a.).
  • • Pay the full bill by the due date → zero interest.
  • • Paying only the minimum can keep you in debt for years.
  • • 18% GST applies on the interest charged.

How Credit Card Interest Works

Monthly Interest

Balance × (MPR ÷ 100)

e.g. ₹50,000 × 3.5% = ₹1,750 / month

Annual Rate (APR)

≈ MPR × 12

e.g. 3.5% × 12 = 42% per year

The Minimum-Payment Trap

The "minimum amount due" on your statement is typically just 5% of the outstanding balance. It is designed to keep your account regular — not to clear your debt. Because the monthly interest can be 3–4% of the balance, paying only the minimum means most of your payment goes to interest and the principal barely moves. On a ₹50,000 balance at 3.5% per month, paying only the minimum can take well over a decade and cost more in interest than the original spend.

Worked Example

Carry ₹50,000 at 3.5% per month. Pay a fixed ₹5,000 every month: the first month's interest is ₹1,750, so ₹3,250 reduces the principal. Repeat and the card clears in about 12 months with roughly ₹9,000–10,000 of total interest. Switch to paying only the 5% minimum and the same balance can take 100+ months. Use the two modes above to compare your own numbers.

Why It's Useful

  • See the true cost of revolving a balance instead of paying in full.
  • Find a fixed monthly payment that clears the card by a target date.
  • Decide whether converting the balance to a lower-rate EMI is worth it.
  • Avoid the minimum-due trap with eyes open.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common credit card interest questions

How is credit card interest calculated in India?
Indian credit cards charge interest as a monthly percentage rate (MPR), commonly 3.0%–3.75% per month, which is roughly 36%–45% per year. Interest applies to the unpaid balance (and often to fresh purchases too) once you stop paying the full bill, and it compounds monthly.
What is the minimum payment trap?
The minimum amount due is usually just 5% of your outstanding balance. Paying only that barely covers the interest, so the balance falls very slowly and you can stay in debt for years while paying interest many times over. Paying a fixed higher amount clears the card far faster and cheaper.
How can I pay off my credit card faster?
Pay a fixed amount well above the minimum every month, convert large balances to a lower-rate EMI, stop new spends on the card until it is cleared, and always pay before the due date to avoid late fees. Even a small increase in the monthly payment cuts both the time and total interest sharply.
Is there interest if I pay my full bill on time?
No. If you pay the total amount due by the due date, you enjoy an interest-free credit period (typically 20–50 days) and pay zero interest. Interest only starts once you carry a balance or pay less than the full amount.
Does the monthly rate include GST?
The interest charge itself attracts 18% GST, and so do fees. This calculator estimates the core interest on the monthly rate you enter; add roughly 18% GST on the interest portion for the all-in cost, plus any annual or late fees your bank levies.

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