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Balance transfer calculator
Compare the total cost of keeping your balance where it is with moving it to a card with a 0% intro APR, including the transfer fee.
Balance transfer calculator
Runs in your browser. Nothing is stored.Usually 3% to 5%.
- Interest if you stay
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- Fee + interest if you transfer
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- Transfer fee
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- Payment to clear it during the intro period
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Longest 0% balance transfer offers right now
Terms last checked September 30, 2026
These offers were last checked more than 45 days ago and may have changed. Confirm terms on the issuer's site.
| Card | Intro offer | Transfer fee | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Citi Diamond Preferred CardCiti | 0% for 21 monthsTransfer within 4 months | 3% ($5 min) in the first 4 months, then 5% | Official site |
| BankAmericard credit cardBank of America | 0% for 21 billing cyclesTransfer within 60 days | 5% of each transfer | Official site |
| Wells Fargo Reflect CardWells Fargo | 0% for 21 monthsTransfer within 120 days | 5% ($5 min) | Official site |
| U.S. Bank Shield Visa CardU.S. Bank | 0% for 21 billing cyclesTransfer within 60 days | 5% or $5, whichever is greater | Official site |
| Citi Simplicity CardCiti | 0% for 18 monthsTransfer within 4 months | 3% ($5 min) in the first 4 months, then 5% | Official site |
Sorted by length of the 0% period, then by fee. We don't get paid for this list. Regular APRs after the intro period depend on your credit, typically from the mid-teens to the high 20s; check each issuer's rates and fees before applying. Approval isn't guaranteed.
How the comparison works
The calculator runs two month-by-month simulations with the same monthly payment:
- Stay: your balance at your current APR.
- Transfer: your balance plus the transfer fee, at the intro APR for the intro period and the regular APR afterward.
transfer cost = balance × fee % + interest after the intro periodWhen a balance transfer makes sense
- You can pay off most or all of the balance before the intro period ends.
- The interest you'd save is clearly larger than the fee, usually 3% to 5% of the amount transferred.
- You won't add new purchases to either card while you pay it down.
Transfers generally need good credit, and the amount you can move is limited by the new card's credit limit. Most cards don't allow transfers between cards from the same bank.
Want to know how long payoff takes either way? Use the payoff calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Is a balance transfer worth it?
Usually, if you can pay off most of the balance during the 0% period. A 3% fee on $6,000 is $180, while a year of interest at 24% on that balance is well over $1,000.
Does a balance transfer hurt my credit?
Applying for a new card adds a hard inquiry, a small and temporary dip. Over time, the extra credit limit and a falling balance can help your utilization.
What happens when the intro period ends?
Any remaining balance starts accruing interest at the card's regular APR. Paying the balance divided by the number of intro months each month clears it in time.