Reference

Credit Card Minimum Payment by Balance

Pre-calculated reference for common balance sizes at 22% APR (the 2026 US average). Look up your balance, see both formula minimums, payoff time at the minimum, and the total interest cost.

Look up any balance

Your balance

APR

2% min

$100

first month

Int + 1% min

$142

first month

Pay min only (Int + 1%)

19 yr 2 mo

$8,100 interest

36-mo escape

$191/mo

debt-free in 3 yrs

Reference table

$500 to $20,000 at 22% APR

Balance	Min (2% flat)	Min (Int + 1%)	Payoff at min	Total interest	Total paid
$500	$25	$25	2 yr 2 mo	$129	$629
$1,000	$25	$28	5 yr 10 mo	$766	$1,766
$2,000	$40	$57	11 yr 7 mo	$2,600	$4,600
$3,000	$60	$85	15 years	$4,433	$7,433
$5,000	$100	$142	19 yr 2 mo	$8,100	$13,100
$7,500	$150	$213	22 yr 7 mo	$12,683	$20,183
$10,000	$200	$283	24 yr 11 mo	$17,266	$27,266
$15,000	$300	$425	28 yr 4 mo	$26,433	$41,433
$20,000	$400	$567	30 yr 8 mo	$35,600	$55,600

Payoff time and interest figures use the interest-plus-1% method with a $25 floor (the more realistic of the two common formulas at 22% APR; flat 2% can drift into negative amortisation at high APRs). Below balances of about $1,250, the floor binds and the actual minimum is $25 regardless of balance.

Worked examples

The questions readers actually search

What is the minimum payment on a $2,000 credit card balance?

2% flat

$40

Int + 1%

$57

Payoff at min

11 yr 7 mo

Total interest

$2,600

At the 2026 US average APR of 22%, paying only the minimum on a $2,000 balance turns the original purchase into roughly $4,600 paid back. The 36-month escape payment for the same balance is the lever to flip.

What is the minimum payment on a $5,000 credit card balance?

2% flat

$100

Int + 1%

$142

Payoff at min

19 yr 2 mo

Total interest

$8,100

At the 2026 US average APR of 22%, paying only the minimum on a $5,000 balance turns the original purchase into roughly $13,100 paid back. The 36-month escape payment for the same balance is the lever to flip.

What is the minimum payment on a $10,000 credit card balance?

2% flat

$200

Int + 1%

$283

Payoff at min

24 yr 11 mo

Total interest

$17,266

At the 2026 US average APR of 22%, paying only the minimum on a $10,000 balance turns the original purchase into roughly $27,266 paid back. The 36-month escape payment for the same balance is the lever to flip.

What is the minimum payment on a $15,000 credit card balance?

2% flat

$300

Int + 1%

$425

Payoff at min

28 yr 4 mo

Total interest

$26,433

At the 2026 US average APR of 22%, paying only the minimum on a $15,000 balance turns the original purchase into roughly $41,433 paid back. The 36-month escape payment for the same balance is the lever to flip.

Questions

Frequently asked

What is the minimum payment on a $5,000 credit card balance?

At a 2% flat method: $100. At interest plus 1% on a 22% APR card: about $142. Both well above the $25 floor. Paying only the interest-plus-1% minimum on $5,000 at 22% takes about 19 years 2 months and costs roughly $8,100 in interest.

What is the minimum payment on a $10,000 credit card?

$200 at the 2% flat method. About $283 at interest plus 1% on a 22% APR card. Paying only the interest-plus-1% minimum takes about 25 years and costs over $17,000 in interest, more than the original balance.

What is the minimum payment on a $1,000 credit card balance?

$25 to $35 (the floor range) for both formulas at most balances under about $1,250 to $1,750. The 2% calculation produces $20, which is below the typical $25 floor, so the floor takes over.