Credit Utilization Calculator
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Minimum Payment Calculator
Estimate your credit card minimum payment.
Minimum payment
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This month.
| Interest portion | — |
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| Principal portion | — |
| Balance | — |
| — |
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Enter your figures above to see the step-by-step working.
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How the Minimum Payment Calculator Works
Most credit-card minimum payments are the month’s interest plus a small percentage of the balance (commonly 1%), with a floor of around $25. On a $5,000 balance at 20% APR, that’s about $83 interest plus $50 principal, so a $133 minimum. Paying only the minimum stretches the debt out for years because so little goes to principal.
Card issuers set their own formula, but this captures the common approach. Paying more than the minimum is the fastest way to cut the interest you pay.
minimum ≈ monthly interest + 1% of balance (min ~$25)
Frequently Asked Questions
How is a credit card minimum payment calculated?
Usually the month’s interest plus about 1% of the balance, with a floor near $25. Issuers vary.
Why is paying the minimum bad?
Most of it goes to interest, so the balance barely falls and the debt lingers for years.
What is the minimum on a $5,000 balance?
Roughly $133 at 20% APR with a 1% principal component.
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