How long to pay off $3,000 in credit card debt?
Paying only the minimum (about $92 a month at 24.99%), a $3,000 credit card takes about 4.5 years and costs $2,051 in interest. Adding $300 a month cuts that to 9 months and $302 in interest.
| You pay | Per month | Debt-free | Takes | Interest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum only | $92 | Mar 2031 | 4.5 years | $2,051 |
| +$100 a month | $192 | Apr 2028 | 1.5 years | $665 |
| +$200 a month | $292 | Aug 2027 | 1 year | $411 |
| +$300 a month | $392 | May 2027 | 9 months | $302 |
| +$500 a month | $592 | Feb 2027 | 6 months | $205 |
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 $3,000 at 24.99%, about $62 of the first $92 payment is interest, so only about $30 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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