What does the balance transfer calculator show?

It estimates how your repayments and costs could differ if you keep your current credit cards versus moving balances to a 0% promotional card, taking into account inputs like transfer fee, promotional length and post-promo APR.

Will this calculator tell me exactly what I’ll repay?

No. It provides illustrative estimates using standard assumptions. Your actual repayments depend on your lender’s specific terms (including minimum payment formulas and how repayments are allocated) and your repayment behaviour.

Can I add more than one balance?

Yes. You can enter multiple balances with different APRs. The calculator aggregates them so you can see an overall projection for timing and potential interest.

Does using this calculator affect my credit score?

No. This tool does not run a credit check. If you use an eligibility checker from a provider, many use soft searches that typically do not impact your credit score; always check the provider’s terms.

What happens if I don’t clear the balance before the promo ends?

Any remaining balance is usually charged at the card’s standard post-promotional APR until repaid. The calculator helps you estimate how much may remain at the end of the 0% period based on your inputs.

Are there limits on how much I can transfer?

Yes. Providers may cap transfers at a percentage of your credit limit and many do not allow transfers within the same banking group. Fees and transfer windows may also apply.

Can I get a balance transfer card with bad credit?

Some providers offer credit-builder products that include balance transfer features, often with shorter promotional periods or different fees. Check the specific terms carefully before applying.

Is this financial advice?

No. This page and calculator are for information only and do not constitute personal advice. If you’re unsure or struggling with debt, consider free, impartial help from organisations such as StepChange, National Debtline or MoneyHelper.

Balance Transfer Calculator

Q: Which are the best balance transfer credit cards?

The right option depends on your circumstances, including fees, promotional length, approved limit and post-promo APR. See our guide to leading balance transfer cards and consider an eligibility check to view options without affecting your credit score.

Dark Light

Use Mintify’s free Balance Transfer Calculator to see whether moving your credit card balance could save you money. Enter your balance, promotional 0% period, transfer fee and your monthly repayment budget. This calculator will show how much of your balance you can pay off during the promotional period, what balance may remain beyond that period, and provide a downloadable personalised repayment schedule based on the information you input.

Existing Credit Card Balances

Amount (£)	APR % (p.a.)

Tip: Add each existing card balance with its current purchase APR.

Your Monthly Payment Budget (£)

Minimum Payment (%) Current Cards

Minimum Payment (£) Current Cards

Payment Strategy (Current Cards)

New Credit Card Details

0% Intro Period (Months)

Transfer Fee % (of amount transferred)

APR After Intro (%)

Minimum Payment (%) New Card

Minimum Payment (£) New Card

Results Summary

Keep current cards – months to payoff

–

Keep current cards – total interest

–

Transfer to new card – months to payoff

–

Transfer to new card – transfer fee

–

Transfer to new card – total interest

–

Illustrative Savings (cost & time)

–

Balance Over Time

Payoff Schedule

Month	Balance start (£)	Interest (£)	Payment (£)	Fees (£)	Balance end (£)

Find the right Credit Card for you

Does not impact your credit score

Find out which credit cards you’re eligible for

34.4% Representative APR (variable)

Check Eligibility

Mintify Limited, trading as Mintify, is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Creditec Limited who acts as a credit broker, not a lender.

Why use this balance transfer calculator

Balance transfers can reduce the interest you pay, but only if you clear enough of the debt during the 0% period. Transfer fees, credit limit rules and the APR after the introductory period can affect outcomes. This calculator helps you assess whether a balance transfer may be suitable for your budget by modelling these factors against your monthly repayment.

Key things to check before you apply

Transfer fee: Typically a percentage of the amount transferred is added to the balance. Ensure any fee does not outweigh potential savings.

Promotional period: The 0% length. Interest applies to any remaining balance after this ends.

APR after promo: The rate charged on the remaining balance once the intro period ends.

Credit limit: Issuers may cap transfers below your limit (e.g., up to a stated percentage of the limit).

Same issuer rules: Many providers do not allow transfers within the same banking group.

Transfer window: You may need to complete transfers within a set timeframe (often 60–90 days).

Minimum monthly payment: Lender terms may require a % or £ minimum that can differ from your inputs.

How this calculator works

The tool compares (1) keeping your existing card(s) and APR(s) with the same monthly payment versus (2) moving balances to a 0% promotional card, using your inputs for balances, APRs, promo months, transfer fee (if any) and post-promo APR. It returns total cost estimates, months to clear, any remainder after the 0% period, and a downloadable repayment schedule.

The output indicates potential interest differences and whether the balance may clear faster or slower than staying on your current card(s). You can compare both scenarios side by side.

Limitations: Results assume no new spending, fees or charges beyond those you input, and that payments are made on time. Lenders may calculate minimum payments and allocate repayments differently, which can change actual costs. Figures are estimates only.

Example of how a balance transfer works

This is an illustration, not a quote.

Assumptions: You transfer £2,500 to a balance transfer card with 0% interest for 20 months and a 3% transfer fee (£75). You make fixed monthly payments, do not make new purchases, and payments are applied after monthly interest. Any balance left after month 20 is charged at your card’s post-promo APR per your agreement.

Example A: Pay £150 per month

Opening balance at 0%: £2,575 (includes the £75 fee).
At £150/month, the balance is projected to clear within the 20-month promo period, so interest is £0 and the total cost is the £75 fee.

Example B: Pay £100 per month

After 20 months at 0%, a balance of approximately £575 remains.
After month 20, the remainder is charged at your post-promo APR until cleared. Paying £100/month means you’ll incur interest after the promo, increasing total cost versus Example A.

What this shows

A balance transfer avoids interest only if you clear within the 0% period (a fee may still apply).
Higher monthly payments generally reduce time to clear and overall cost.
Outcomes depend on your approved limit, fees, promo length, post-promo APR and what you can afford to repay.

Important: This example is informational only and not personal advice. Lenders may calculate costs and minimum repayments differently. Always check the terms provided by the lender.

Common mistakes when applying for a balance transfer credit card

Applying within the same issuer group.

Missing the transfer window set by the provider.

Assuming you can transfer 100% of your new credit limit.

Ignoring transfer fees when estimating potential savings.

Using the balance transfer card for purchases without understanding how interest is applied.

Paying only the minimum and not clearing the balance before the promo ends.

Different ways to prioritise debt repayments

Making only the minimum repayments can keep you in debt for years as interest builds. Aim to pay more than the minimum and choose a method you’ll stick with:

Avalanche (cost-first): Put extra repayments to the highest APR balance first, then the next highest. Usually results in the lowest total interest when monthly payments are the same.
Snowball (motivation-first): Put extra to the smallest balance first, then the next smallest. Can feel faster because accounts close sooner, but may cost more in interest than avalanche.

No single approach suits everyone. You can even mix methods (e.g., start with your smallest high-APR debt). If your debts feel unmanageable or you’re unsure where to begin, free, confidential help is available from organisations such as StepChange, National Debtline or MoneyHelper.

What is a balance transfer calculator?

A balance transfer calculator estimates how much you might clear during a 0% promotional period and what could happen if you don’t clear the balance in time. It’s an estimate, not a quote.

Does using a calculator affect my credit score?

No. This tool is informational only and does not run a credit check, so there is no impact on your credit score.

Can I transfer multiple balances?

Usually yes, subject to your credit limit and the card’s terms. You can add multiple cards and balances in the calculator to model this.

What happens if I don’t clear the balance in time?

Any remaining balance moves to the card’s standard APR and you’ll incur interest until cleared. The calculator helps you see how much you might clear during the promo and what could be left.

Which are the best balance transfer credit cards?

Read our guide to the top balance transfer credit cards, including options for different profiles. You can also check your eligibility without impacting your credit score.

Can I still get a balance transfer credit card with bad credit?

Some lenders offer balance transfer credit-builder cards. These may have shorter promos or different fees—check the terms carefully.