How long to pay off $1,000 in credit card debt?
Paying only the minimum (about $31 a month at 24.99%), a $1,000 credit card takes about 4.5 years and costs $684 in interest. Adding $300 a month cuts that to 4 months and $44 in interest.
| You pay | Per month | Debt-free | Takes | Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum only | $31 | Mar 2031 | 4.5 years | $684 |
| +$100 a month | $131 | May 2027 | 9 months | $101 |
| +$200 a month | $231 | Jan 2027 | 5 months | $59 |
| +$300 a month | $331 | Dec 2026 | 4 months | $44 |
| +$500 a month | $531 | Oct 2026 | 2 months | $31 |
At 24.99% APR, starting Sep 2026. The minimum is estimated the way most cards set it: 1% of the balance plus that month's interest. Your card's real rate and minimum are on your statement.
Why the minimum takes so long
A card minimum is mostly interest. On $1,000 at 24.99%, about $21 of the first $31 payment is interest, so only about $10 touches the balance. That's why every extra dollar matters: all of it goes to the balance.
Snowball or avalanche?
With more than one card, the snowball pays the smallest balance first for a quick win; the avalanche pays the highest rate first to save the most interest. The difference is often smaller than people expect, and a first card paid off early is what keeps people going.
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