Free cash back calculator
Calculate annual cash-back earnings on a credit card — enter monthly spend and cash-back rate to see monthly and annual rewards net of any annual fee, updated live, as you type.
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Flat-rate cash back only. Excludes card fees, bonuses, or tiered category rates. Compare total value with any annual fee.
Results are estimates. Consult a professional.
How the cash back calculator works
A cash back calculator projects how much a rewards credit card returns annually based on your monthly spending and the card's cash back rate. It then subtracts the annual fee (if any) to show your true net benefit — making it easy to compare cards or decide whether a fee-based premium card earns its keep.
Worked example: $3,000/month spend at 2% cash back
Jordan spends $3,000 per month on a 2% flat cash back card with a $95 annual fee. How much does the card earn, and is the fee worth paying compared with a no-fee 1.5% card?
Annual cash back by spend and rate
The table shows gross annual cash back before subtracting any annual fee. To find your net value, subtract your card's annual fee from the relevant cell. A card with no annual fee keeps the full amount.
| Monthly Spend | 1.5% Rate | 2% Rate | 3% Rate | 5% Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $180 | $240 | $360 | $600 |
| $2,000 | $360 | $480 | $720 | $1,200 |
| $3,000 | $540 | $720 | $1,080 | $1,800 |
| $5,000 | $900 | $1,200 | $1,800 | $3,000 |
Source: Annual cash back = monthly spend × 12 × rate. Gross figures; subtract annual fee for net value.
Tips for maximizing cash back rewards
The right cash back strategy depends on how you spend and how much mental energy you want to put into optimizing. A flat-rate card is simple and consistent; a category card earns more but requires tracking.
- Calculate the break-even spend before paying an annual fee — divide the fee by the cash back rate to find the monthly spend at which the fee card overtakes a no-fee alternative (e.g., $95 fee ÷ 0.005 rate advantage = $19,000/year).
- Pair a flat card with a category card — use a 3–5% grocery/gas card for those categories and a 2% flat card for everything else to capture higher rates without complexity.
- Redeem often and check expiry rules — some issuers expire rewards if you don't redeem annually or if the account becomes inactive; cash out regularly.
- Time large purchases to welcome bonuses — most premium cash back cards offer $150–$300 sign-up bonuses that can dwarf an entire year of incremental rate advantage.
- Check if your card earns on rent and utilities — some cards exclude certain categories or cap rewards; read the terms before assuming you earn the headline rate on everything.
Accuracy and limitations
The calculator assumes a flat, consistent spending rate every month and a single uniform cash back rate across all categories. Most real-world cards use tiered rates — higher rates on groceries or gas, lower rates elsewhere — and may cap the bonus category earnings at a quarterly or annual spend threshold. The projection also excludes sign-up bonuses, rotating category promotions, and any redemption minimums that might delay when cash is actually available. Results are estimates; actual earnings depend on the card's full terms and conditions.
Not financial advice — consult a financial professional for your specific situation.
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About this calculator
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