Nerdwallet Estimated Credit Card Rewards Calculator
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Reviewed by Calculator Editorial Team
Credit card rewards can be a valuable source of free money, but calculating your potential earnings can be complex. Our NerdWallet-style rewards calculator helps you estimate how much you could earn based on your spending habits, rewards rates, and card features.
How the Calculator Works
The estimated credit card rewards calculator uses a straightforward formula to estimate your potential rewards earnings:
Formula
Estimated Annual Rewards = (Annual Spending × Rewards Rate) - Annual Fee
Where:
- Annual Spending = Your estimated total spending on the card each year
- Rewards Rate = The percentage of your spending that earns rewards (varies by card and category)
- Annual Fee = The yearly fee charged by the credit card (if any)
The calculator assumes you'll spend the same amount each month on the card. It doesn't account for changes in rewards rates, bonus categories, or other card-specific features that might affect your actual earnings.
Important Notes
- Rewards rates can change over time, so your actual earnings may differ from the estimate.
- Some cards offer bonus categories that earn higher rewards on specific types of purchases.
- Welcome bonuses and sign-up offers aren't included in this calculation.
- This is an estimate only - your actual rewards may vary.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter your estimated annual spending on the card in the "Annual Spending" field.
- Select the rewards rate that applies to your spending from the dropdown menu.
- If your card has an annual fee, enter it in the "Annual Fee" field.
- Click "Calculate" to see your estimated annual rewards.
- Review the results and compare with other cards to find the best option for you.
For more accurate results, consider breaking down your spending by category and using the card's specific rewards rates for each category.
Example Calculation
Let's say you have a credit card that earns 2% cash back on all purchases and has a $95 annual fee. You estimate you'll spend $12,000 on this card in a year.
Example Formula
Estimated Annual Rewards = ($12,000 × 0.02) - $95
= $240 - $95
= $145
In this example, you would estimate earning $145 in annual rewards from this card.
| Card | Rewards Rate | Annual Fee | Estimated Rewards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Back Card | 2% | $95 | $145 |
| Travel Card | 1.5% on travel, 1% otherwise | $0 | $180 |
| Points Card | 1.25% (1 point per dollar) | $0 | $150 (1,500 points) |