By Ben Luthi
Edited by Samuel MountjoyCurrent Credit Card Interest Rates
By Ben LuthiEdited by Samuel Mountjoy
Quick Answer
The current credit card interest rate averages 19.20% as of March 2026. However, your rate can vary significantly based on your credit profile, the type of card you have and even your card's issuer.
The average credit card interest rate is 19.20% as of March 2026, according to Curinos data, but it can range from 11.54% to 34.50% across different types of credit cards and card issuers.
Understanding how your card's rate compares and what alternatives might offer lower costs can help you make smarter decisions about managing debt. Here's what you need to know.
Current Credit Card Interest Rates
The average credit card interest rate is 19.20%, and that's stayed roughly the same throughout the year. However, recent Federal Reserve rate cuts will likely lead to that average decreasing in the coming months.
Remember that rates vary widely depending on the card type, issuer and whether the card offers rewards. Here's a look at how average rates can vary across categories.
Consumer Credit Cards
Credit union cards and student credit cards usually have lower interest rates than traditional bank-issued consumer cards. Credit unions are not-for-profit institutions, so they often pass savings on to members through reduced lending rates and lower fees.
| Personal Credit Card | Student Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | 15.89% | 19.16% |
| Credit union | 12.41% | 14.71% |
Source: Curinos data from March 2026
Rewards credit cards include those that provide rewards in the form of cash back or miles as a percentage of purchases made using the card.
| Personal Credit Card | Student Credit Card | |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | 19.20% | 17.61% |
| Credit union | 15.10% | 14.90% |
Source: Curinos data from March 2026
Student cards, meanwhile, are designed for borrowers with limited credit history, offering modest limits and simpler terms to help build credit responsibly. In contrast, large banks typically charge higher APRs to offset broader operating costs, marketing expenses and the risk associated with offering higher credit limits or more premium rewards programs.
Learn more: Are Credit Cards Rewards Worth It?
Business Credit Cards
Business credit card rates tend to fall between consumer and student credit card rates, reflecting their unique risk profile and usage patterns. The lower credit union rates align with their not-for-profit model and member-focused approach. At the same time, banks often charge more to offset higher administrative costs and the broader range of perks business cards typically offer.
| Reward | Non-Reward | |
|---|---|---|
| Bank | 16.99% | 14.93% |
| Credit union | 16.70% | 14.52% |
Source: Curinos data from March 2026
Transaction Types
Credit cards assign different APRs to different types of transactions because each transaction type carries a different level of risk for the lender. Cash advances typically come with the highest APRs because borrowers who take cash advances are often in more urgent financial situations, resulting in a greater risk of nonpayment.
Average Credit Card APR by Transaction Type
| Issuer | Purchase APR | Balance Transfer APR | Cash Advance APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank | 19.20% | 18.43% | 28.56% |
| Credit Union | 15.10% | 15.12% | 19.73% |
| Internet Bank | 22.04% | 19.31% | 26.82% |
| Issuer | Purchase APR | Balance Transfer APR | Cash Advance APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank | 17.62% | 17.64% | 28.47% |
| Credit Union | 14.90% | 15.03% | 15.21% |
| Internet Bank | 16.99% | 17.43% | 28.23% |
| Issuer | Purchase APR | Balance Transfer APR | Cash Advance APR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bank | 16.99% | 17.43% | 28.23% |
| Credit Union | 16.70% | 16.73% | 27.69% |
Source: Curinos
Best credit cards of 2026
Compare cards from our partners with intro bonuses, cash back or points offers, and annual fees as low as $0.
Offers from our partners
Citi Double Cash® Card
Intro APR:0% for 18 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express
Intro bonus:You may be eligible for as high as $200 cash back after spending $2,000 in purchases on your new Card in the first 6 months. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Cash back is received as Reward Dollars, redeemable for statement credit or at Amazon.com checkout. Terms Apply.
Intro APR:0% on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 3% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Wells Fargo Reflect® Card
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 21 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49%, 23.99%, or 28.24% Variable APR
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$0
Revel® Platinum Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.90% Fixed
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$75 - $125
Citi® Diamond Preferred® Card
Intro APR:0% for 21 months on Balance Transfers and 12 months on Purchases
Ongoing APR:16.49% - 27.24% (Variable)
Rewards:N/A*
Annual Fee:$0
American Express Platinum Card®
Intro bonus:You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $12,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.
Ongoing APR:See Pay Over Time APR
Rewards:1x - 5x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$895
Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card
Intro bonus:Earn a $200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers
Ongoing APR:18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Rewards:2% (Cash Rewards)
Annual Fee:$0
Discover it® Cash Back
Intro bonus:INTRO OFFER: Unlimited Cashback Match for all new cardmembers. Discover will automatically match all the cash back you’ve earned at the end of your first year! There’s no minimum spending or maximum rewards. You could turn $150 cash back into $300.
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1% - 5% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
The opensky® Secured Visa® Credit Card
Ongoing APR:23.89% Variable
Rewards:10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$35
American Airlines AAdvantage® MileUp® Card
Intro APR:0% for 15 months on Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
Credit One Bank® Secured Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Citi Strata Premier® Card
Intro bonus:Earn 60,000 bonus ThankYou® Points after spending $4,000 in the first 3 months of account opening, redeemable for $600 in gift cards or travel rewards at thankyou.com.
Ongoing APR:19.49% - 27.49% (Variable)
Rewards:1x - 10x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$95
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0*
Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi
Ongoing APR:18.74% - 26.74% (Variable)
Rewards:1% - 5% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
First Latitude Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards
Ongoing APR:27.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0
Citi® / AAdvantage® Platinum Select® World Elite Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:19.49% - 29.49% (Variable)
Rewards:2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$99, waived for first 12 months
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$39*
Credit One Bank® Platinum X5 Visa® Metal Card
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% - 5% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$95
First Progress Prestige Secured Mastercard® Cash Back Rewards
Ongoing APR:13.49% Variable
Rewards:1% - 10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$49
Credit One Bank® Wander® American Express® with Dining, Gas & Travel Rewards
Ongoing APR:29.74% Variable
Rewards:1% - 10% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$95
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
Intro bonus:Earn 200,000 Marriott Bonvoy® bonus points after you use your new Card to make $6,000 in purchases within the first 6 months of Card Membership. Offer Ends 5/13/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:2x - 6x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$650
Discover it® Miles
Intro bonus:UNLIMITED BONUS: Unlimited Mile-for-Mile match for all new cardmembers. Discover gives you an unlimited match of all the Miles you’ve earned at the end of your first year. There’s no signing up, no minimum spending or maximum rewards. Just a Miles-for-Miles match. You could turn 35,000 Miles into 70,000 Miles.
Intro APR:0% intro APR for 15 months on Purchases and Balance Transfers
Ongoing APR:17.49% - 26.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1.5x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card
Intro bonus:Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 04/01/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1x - 3x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$650
Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card
Intro bonus:Earn 80,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases with your new Card, and an additional 20,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $2,000 in purchases on the Card, both within your first 6 months. Ends 04/01/2026.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1x - 3x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$350
Delta SkyMiles® Blue American Express Card
Intro bonus:Earn 10,000 bonus miles after you spend $1,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
Ongoing APR:19.49%-28.49% Variable
Rewards:1x - 2x (Miles per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
One Key™ Card
Intro bonus:Limited Time Offer: Earn $300 in OneKeyCash™ after you spend $1,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia®, Hotels.com® and Vrbo®. To learn more, please refer to the One Key Terms and Conditions at www.expedia.com/one-key-terms.
Ongoing APR:18.49%, 23.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Rewards:1.5x - 3x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$0
One Key+™ Card
Intro bonus:Earn $350 in OneKeyCash™ after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months. OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia®, Hotels.com® and Vrbo®. To learn more, please refer to the One Key Terms and Conditions at www.expedia.com/one-key-terms.
Ongoing APR:18.49%, 23.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR
Rewards:2x - 3x (Points per dollar)
Annual Fee:$99
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard® - With A Higher Credit Limit
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$125*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$0*
Avant® Cashback Rewards Mastercard®
Ongoing APR:35.99%*
Rewards:1% (cash back)
Annual Fee:$75*
See all our best credit cards for 2026.
Historical Credit Card Interest Rates
Looking at the long-term trends published by the Federal Reserve, the average credit card interest rate stood at 22.30% in November 2025 (the most recent month available). Over recent years, this rate has trended significantly upward, from an average of 16.28% in 2020, primarily due to inflation and the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes that have been issued to combat it.
Average Credit Card Interest Rates
What Determines Credit Card Interest Rates?
Credit card interest rates are influenced by a mix of market conditions and your personal credit profile:
- Federal funds rate: When the Federal Reserve raises or lowers benchmark rates, credit card APRs typically move in the same direction.
- Credit score: Good credit scores signal lower risk to lenders, helping you qualify for lower APRs.
- Debt-to-income ratio: Lenders consider how much of your income goes toward debt; higher ratios often mean higher interest rates.
- Card type: Rewards and business credit cards tend to have higher APRs to offset perks and potential risk.
- Issuer policies: Each credit card issuer sets its own rate structures, so similar applicants may see different offers depending on the lender.
What Is a Good Interest Rate on a Credit Card?
A good credit card interest rate is one that's below the national average, which currently hovers at 19.20%. Consumers with excellent credit may qualify for rates in the mid-teens or lower, while those with fair or poor credit often see rates in the 20% to 30% range.
And remember that credit cards typically feature different types of interest rates, including:
- Purchase APR: The rate charged on regular purchases if you carry a balance.
- Balance transfer APR: The rate for balance transfers moved from another card, often lower for a promotional period.
- Introductory APR: A temporary low or 0% intro rate for new cardholders, typically lasting six to 24 months.
- Cash advance APR: A higher rate for withdrawing cash from your credit card using a cash advance.
- Penalty APR: A steep rate applied after 60 days of missed payments.
Learn more: How Does Credit Card Interest Work?
How to Lower Your Credit Card Interest Rate
Credit card interest rates aren't set in stone, and you may be able to bring yours down with the right approach. Here are some tips to help:
- Improve your credit score. Pay on time, reduce balances and limit new credit applications to boost your credit profile and qualify for better terms.
- Compare multiple offers. Different issuers set their own APRs, so shopping around can help you find the most competitive rate.
- Ask for a rate reduction. If you've built a solid payment history, call your issuer and request a lower rate. They may agree to keep your business.
- Transfer your balance. Consider a 0% intro APR balance transfer card to pay off existing debt interest-free during the promotional period.
- Pay down existing debt. A lower credit utilization rate can improve your score and signal to lenders that you're a lower-risk borrower.
How to Avoid Paying Interest on Credit Cards
Even if you can't lower your APR, there are ways to sidestep interest entirely. Here are some steps you can take to enjoy your credit card's benefits while minimizing your costs:
- Pay your balance in full each month. Avoid carrying a balance past the due date to take advantage of your card's grace period and pay no interest.
- Know your billing cycle. Understanding when interest starts accruing helps you plan payments strategically.
- Avoid cash advances. Interest on cash withdrawals starts accruing immediately—there's no grace period.
- Use 0% intro APR offers wisely. Take advantage of promotional periods to pay off balances before the regular rate applies.
- Set up automatic payments. Ensuring your bill is paid in full and on time each month helps you completely sidestep interest charges.
The Bottom Line
Credit card interest rates have climbed in recent years, making it more important than ever to understand how your APR works and how to manage it. Knowing what affects your rate, how to compare offers and how to pay strategically can help you save significantly over time.
If you're carrying a balance, explore ways to lower your interest rate or transfer it to a 0% intro APR card to cut costs while you pay down debt. And before you apply for a new card, check your Experian credit report and FICO® ScoreΘ to see where you stand. A strong credit profile can unlock lower rates, better terms and bigger savings.
Methodology: The analysis results provided are based on an Experian-created statistically relevant aggregate sampling of our consumer credit database that may include use of the FICO® Score 8 version. Different sampling parameters may generate different findings compared with other similar analysis. Analyzed credit data did not contain personal identification information. Metro areas group counties and cities into specific geographic areas for population censuses and compilations of related statistical data.
FICO® is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
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About the author
Ben Luthi
Ben Luthi has worked in financial planning, banking and auto finance, and writes about all aspects of money. His work has appeared in Time, Success, USA Today, Credit Karma, NerdWallet, Wirecutter and more.
Read more from Ben