Paying "just the minimum" feels cheap but is the most expensive money you will ever borrow: interest keeps accruing on nearly the full balance every month, while the required payment shrinks as the balance does.
This calculator simulates the real payoff month by month at your card's APR and minimum-payment formula, then contrasts it with a fixed monthly payment — the difference in both years and interest is usually startling.
Frequently asked questions
How do card issuers set the minimum?
Commonly the larger of a percentage of the balance (1%–3%) plus the month's interest, or a small absolute floor (e.g. $35–50). The exact formula varies by issuer; the percentage-only simplification here errs on the optimistic side.
Why is paying a fixed amount so much faster?
A fixed payment keeps the principal reduction constant instead of shrinking with the balance, so each month less interest accrues. The same budget, allocated steadily, can cut the payoff time by years.
中文说明
"只还最低"看似轻松，实则是你能借到的最贵的钱：利息每个月都按几乎全部欠款本金计息，而最低还款额却随本金减少而越降越低。
本计算器按信用卡真实年化利率与最低还款规则逐月模拟清偿过程，并与固定月还款方案对照——两者在时长和利息上的差距通常令人吃惊。
常见问题
银行是怎么算最低还款额的？
常见规则为"欠款的一定比例 (1%~3%) + 当月利息 与小额绝对下限 (如 35~50 元) 取较大者"。各行公式略有差异；本工具采用纯比例口径，结果已属乐观估计。
为什么固定月还款能快这么多？
固定月还使每月冲抵的本金保持恒定，而不是随欠款减少而缩水，利息因此逐月递减。同样的预算总额，只要稳定投入，就能把清偿时间缩短数年。