Cernarus

Balance Transfer Calculator

This calculator estimates the timeline and total cost when moving a credit card balance into a promotional APR and then repaying at your regular APR after the promo. It includes the common balance transfer fee and optional other fees so you can compare the transfer scenario to keeping your current balance.

Results are estimates based on standard amortization math and numeric rounding conventions. Use the monthly payment you realistically expect to make; a lower payment increases time and interest. For compliance and reproducibility, the tool follows established numeric practices and documents assumptions below.

Updated Nov 5, 2025

Calculate payment and cost when transferring a single balance into a promotional APR for a fixed number of months, then repaying at your regular APR.

Inputs

Results

Updates as you type

Transfer fee

$150.00

Remaining balance after promo

$3,350.00

Months after promo

—

Total months to payoff

—

Total paid (includes fees)

—

Estimated total interest

—

OutputValueUnit
Transfer fee$150.00USD
Remaining balance after promo$3,350.00USD
Months after promo—months
Total months to payoff—months
Total paid (includes fees)—USD
Estimated total interest—USD
Primary result$150.00

Visualization

Methodology

We model the transfer as: new principal = original balance + transfer fee + other one-time fees. During the promotional period we apply the promotional monthly rate to any outstanding balance and subtract monthly payments. After the promo ends, remaining balance is amortized at the regular monthly rate using the standard loan amortization relationship.

To avoid misleading outputs the calculator: uses monthly compounding consistent with typical credit card practice, handles zero-interest promo or zero regular APR as a special case (simple division), and rounds months up to the next whole month when partial months remain.

Worked examples

Example: $5,000 balance, 3% transfer fee, 0% promo for 12 months, $150 monthly payment. The transfer fee adds $150 to the principal; payments during the promo reduce principal and any remaining balance is amortized at your regular APR.

Example: If your promotional APR is 0% and your monthly payment equals the minimum, you may still owe a remaining balance after the promo which will then accrue interest at the regular APR.

Further resources

Expert Q&A

Does the calculator guarantee exact results my bank will show?

No. This calculator provides estimates. Individual statements can differ due to daily interest conventions, minimum payment rules, rounding differences, billing cycles, grace periods, backdated fees, late fees, or promotional terms not captured here. Use values from your card agreement for best accuracy.

How does the tool handle a 0% promotional APR?

If the promotional APR is 0%, the calculator treats interest during the promo as zero and simply subtracts your monthly payments from principal. Any remaining balance at the end of the promo is amortized at the regular APR.

What if my monthly payment is less than the interest charged?

If the monthly payment is insufficient to cover interest after the promo, the model's amortization formula will produce very large or undefined payoff months. The calculator will show a high month count; increase the monthly payment to a level that covers accrued interest plus some principal to ensure payoff.

Are fees included in the totals?

Yes. Transfer fee and any other one-time fees entered are added to principal and included in total paid and total interest calculations.

Sources & citations