0% Balance Transfer Calculator UK: Is the Fee Worth It?

Last checked: 4 November 2026. General information, not regulated financial advice.

Thinking about a 0% balance transfer? A balance transfer can save you hundreds of pounds in interest, but there’s usually a fee, and the 0% doesn’t last forever. Enter your numbers below and this free balance transfer calculator shows whether the fee is worth it, how much you’d save compared with staying put, and the monthly payment you need to clear the balance before the 0% period ends.

I’m not a financial adviser, and this is general information, not advice. I don’t recommend any particular card. If you’re struggling with debt, please speak to a free debt adviser before applying for new credit. See my financial disclaimer.

How to use the balance transfer calculator

1. Your current card: enter the balance you want to move, its APR (on your statement) and how much you can afford to pay each month.
2. The new card: enter the transfer fee (a percentage of the balance), the length of the 0% period in months, and the APR once the 0% ends. Use the figures from an offer you’ve been given, ideally from an eligibility checker.
3. Press the button to compare the total cost and see the monthly payment you need.

How a 0% balance transfer works

A balance transfer moves debt from one credit card to a new card that charges 0% interest on the transferred balance for a set time. Most cards charge a one-off transfer fee, added to your balance. When the 0% period ends, any balance left is charged at the card’s normal rate, which can be high.

My full guide to 0% balance transfer cards explains how they affect your credit score and when to avoid them.

When a balance transfer is worth it

A balance transfer usually makes sense when:

• The interest you’d save is clearly more than the fee (the calculator shows this).
• You can clear all, or nearly all, of the balance before the 0% ends.
• You’ll stop spending on the old card and won’t use the new card for purchases (purchases may not be at 0%).
• You can set up a Direct Debit so you never miss a payment.

It’s usually not worth it if the balance is small and you’ll clear it soon anyway, if you’d only pay the minimum, or if you’re likely to spend on the cleared card again.

The golden rule: clear it before the 0% ends

The most important number in the results is the monthly payment to clear the balance within the 0% period. That’s simply the balance plus the fee, divided by the number of 0% months. Set your Direct Debit to at least that amount, not the minimum.

If you can’t afford that, you can still save money, but plan what you’ll do when the 0% ends: pay off the rest, or look at another transfer (which means another fee and another credit check, and isn’t guaranteed).

Things to check before you apply

• Use an eligibility checker first. It’s usually a soft search, which doesn’t affect your credit score. A full application leaves a hard search.
• You might get a lower limit than your balance, so you may not be able to move it all.
• Most providers don’t let you transfer between their own cards or cards in the same banking group.
• Missing a payment can end the 0% deal early and may add fees.
• Check how long you have to make the transfer after opening the card to get the 0% rate.
• Keep paying your old card until the transfer shows as complete.

Other ways to pay off a credit card faster

A balance transfer isn’t the only option. You could also pay a fixed amount above the minimum, use the snowball or avalanche method, or ask your current provider for a lower rate. My debt snowball calculator compares methods across all your debts, and my guide to paying off a credit card faster has 8 practical ideas.

If you’re only managing the minimum payments, or using credit to pay bills, please talk to a free debt adviser before applying for another card. New credit isn’t always the answer.

Balance transfer calculator: people also ask

How do you calculate if a balance transfer is worth it?

Compare the transfer fee with the interest you’d pay if you stayed on your current card over the same time. If the interest saved is more than the fee, and you can clear most of the balance in the 0% period, it’s usually worth it.

How much is a balance transfer fee?

It’s usually a percentage of the amount you transfer, added to your balance. It varies between cards and offers, and some 0% periods are longer because the fee is higher. Check the exact fee in the offer you’re given.

How much should I pay each month on a balance transfer?

Divide the balance plus the fee by the number of 0% months. That’s the amount that clears it before interest starts. The calculator works it out for you.

What happens when the 0% balance transfer ends?

Any balance left is charged interest at the card’s standard rate. That’s why it’s important to clear it before the 0% period ends, or have a plan for what’s left.

Does a balance transfer affect your credit score?

Applying usually leaves a hard search, and a new card changes your available credit. Over time, paying the balance down on time can help. More in my 0% balance transfer guide.

Next step

If the numbers work, check your eligibility before applying, then set up a Direct Debit for the monthly amount the calculator gives you. For all your debts together, try the debt snowball calculator, or read the debt and credit UK guide.

General information only. I’m not a financial adviser. If you’re struggling with debt, please contact a free, confidential debt advice service such as MoneyHelper, StepChange or National Debtline.