What percentage of total balance is minimum payment?
Andrew Campbell
Updated on February 12, 2026
Some credit card issuers calculate the minimum payment as a percentage of your total statement balance, including interest and fees, usually between 1% and 3%. For example, say your minimum payment is calculated as 2% of the balance, which is $5,000. You would owe a minimum payment of $100.
What percentage of credit card balance is minimum payment?
On some cards, issuers use a flat percentage — typically 2% — of your statement balance to determine your minimum. If your balance (including interest and fees) were $10,000, for example, you’d owe a minimum of $200.
What is the total of the minimum payments?
The minimum payment is the smallest amount of money that you have to pay each month to keep your account in good standing. The statement balance is the total balance on your account for that billing cycle. The current balance is the total amount of your most recent bill plus any recent charges.
Why is the minimum payment for credit cards so much less than your total balance?
Linda Sherry, director of national priorities at Consumer Action explains that “a minimum payment on a credit card is the least amount you must pay by the due date to avoid a late fee.” While paying less than your full balance may save you money this month, it costs you more in the long run.
How long will it take you to pay off your credit card if you only make the minimum payment?
With minimum payments only, you’ll pay off the debt in about 6 years and 11 months. If you pay an extra $50 each month with the minimum payment, the time can be shortened by about three years. The amount paid in interest will also decrease significantly from $3,294 to $1,656.
How is the minimum payment on a credit card calculated?
Credit card minimum payments are usually calculated based on your monthly balance. The minimum payment could be a percentage of your balance, plus new interest and late fees. Or it could be a flat percentage of your entire balance. And in some cases, the minimum payment could include past-due amounts.
Do you have to pay the full balance on a credit card?
Your interest rate has increased. In certain instances, your credit card issuer may require you to pay your balance in full. If your balance is below a certain amount, like $25, for example, your minimum payment may be the full balance. If you have a charge card, your minimum payment is the full balance on the credit card.
What’s the minimum payment on a Barclaycard credit card?
This means it can take a long time to clear your balance. For example, on a card with 19.9% annual interest rate, the minimum payment in the first month on a balance of £3,000 would be around £75 (assuming you don’t make any other purchases). However, in the last few months it would only be a few pounds.
What happens if you dont pay minimum payments on credit card?
If you pay the minimum amount and make fewer purchases with your card, you might be able to pay down the balance on the card. And a lower balance could mean less interest charged, which can lead to lower minimum payments. But if you don’t pay your account balance in full every month, you could be charged interest.