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30Y FIXED6.85%↑ 0.02·15Y FIXED6.12%↓ 0.01·REFI 30Y6.78%↑ 0.01·HELOC9.20%0.00·JUMBO 30Y7.05%↑ 0.03·HYSA TOP4.85%↓ 0.05·12M CD5.10%0.00·24M CD4.85%↓ 0.02·5Y CD4.40%↑ 0.01·MMA TOP4.65%0.00·AUTO 60M NEW7.10%↓ 0.02·AUTO 60M USED8.45%↑ 0.04·PERSONAL EXC.8.20%0.00·10Y TREASURY4.32%↑ 0.01·30Y FIXED6.85%↑ 0.02·15Y FIXED6.12%↓ 0.01·REFI 30Y6.78%↑ 0.01·HELOC9.20%0.00·JUMBO 30Y7.05%↑ 0.03·HYSA TOP4.85%↓ 0.05·12M CD5.10%0.00·24M CD4.85%↓ 0.02·5Y CD4.40%↑ 0.01·MMA TOP4.65%0.00·AUTO 60M NEW7.10%↓ 0.02·AUTO 60M USED8.45%↑ 0.04·PERSONAL EXC.8.20%0.00·10Y TREASURY4.32%↑ 0.01·
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Glossary term

Intro APR

What an introductory APR offer is, how 0% intro APR works on purchases and balance transfers, when the promo ends, and what happens if you miss a payment during the period.

What Is an Introductory APR?

An introductory APR (also called a promotional APR or intro rate) is a temporary interest rate offered to new cardholders for a set period after account opening. The most common version is a 0% intro APR, meaning no interest is charged during the promotional window.

After the introductory period ends, the standard variable APR applies to any remaining balance.

How It Works on Purchases

When a card offers 0% intro APR on purchases, any purchase you make during the promotional period carries no interest if the balance is not paid in full by the time the period ends, or if you pay in full before that date.

Practical use: finance a large purchase over 12 to 18 months without paying interest, as long as you pay off the balance before the promo ends.

Example: You buy a $2,400 laptop on a card with a 15-month 0% intro APR on purchases. Paying $160 per month pays the card off in exactly 15 months at $0 in interest charges. After month 15, any remaining balance would start accruing interest at the standard rate (typically 20% to 27% APR).

How It Works on Balance Transfers

When a card offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers, you can move existing high-interest debt from another card to the new card and pay it down at zero interest during the promotional period.

A balance transfer fee (typically 3% to 5% of the amount transferred) is charged upfront. Even with the fee, the math almost always favors transferring if the rate on your existing card is 15% or higher.

See best balance transfer cards for specific options and timelines.

What Ends the Promotional Rate Early

A missed payment can immediately terminate your introductory APR on many cards and trigger the penalty APR. Some cards are more lenient and only end the promo after two missed payments. Read your cardholder agreement carefully.

Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment to ensure the promotional rate is never accidentally terminated.

After the Intro Period Ends

Any balance remaining after the promotional period begins accruing interest at the standard variable APR, which is typically disclosed in the card's offer as a range (for example, 19.99% to 27.99%). Your actual rate is set at account opening based on your credit profile.

If you will not be able to pay off the balance before the promo ends, calculate the cost of carrying the remaining balance at the standard rate. For large balances, it may make sense to transfer again to another 0% card if available.

See how credit card interest works for the mechanics of interest calculation after the promo period.

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