Finance
Instant, private, and free
Cash Back Calculator.
Estimate rewards from spending, a cashback rate, an optional cap, and an annual fee.
Set your values
Results update as you type.
Results are estimates from the stated formula and inputs; verify assumptions before making financial decisions.
FAQs
How is Cash Back calculated?
Rewards programs can impose issuer-specific exclusions and caps.
Use Cases
Compare credit card rewards
Evaluate whether a card with an annual fee is worth it by comparing net cashback after fees and caps.
Example: Compare a no-fee 1.5% card vs. a $95 fee 2% card with a $10,000 cap.
Plan spending to maximize cashback
Determine how much you need to spend to offset an annual fee and see the impact of reward caps on your earnings.
Example: Find the break-even spending amount for a card with a $95 fee and 2% cashback.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How does the Cashback Calculator work?
- You input your annual spending, cashback rate, annual fee, and any reward cap. The calculator estimates your gross cashback (spending times rate, capped if applicable) and then subtracts the annual fee to show your net cashback.
- What is a reward cap and how does it affect my cashback?
- A reward cap limits the amount of spending that earns cashback. For example, if the cap is $10,000 and you spend $15,000, only the first $10,000 earns cashback. The calculator applies this cap to your gross cashback calculation.
- Can I use this calculator for any cashback credit card?
- Yes, as long as you know the card's cashback rate, annual fee, and any reward caps. The calculator works for flat-rate or tiered cards, but for tiered rates, you may need to calculate each tier separately.
Tips & Common Mistakes
Tips
- Enter your actual annual spending, not just monthly, to get an accurate yearly cashback estimate.
- If your card has a tiered cashback rate (e.g., 3% on groceries, 1% on everything else), calculate each category separately and sum the results.
- Remember that reward caps may reset annually, so consider your spending pattern over the year.
- Use the net cashback figure to compare cards, as it accounts for the annual fee.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Forgetting to include the annual fee when calculating net cashback, which overestimates your true earnings.
- Ignoring reward caps, leading to an overestimation if you spend more than the cap.
- Using monthly spending without multiplying by 12, resulting in a low estimate.
Last updated: August 13, 2026