Best Low APR Credit Cards of January 2026

Credit card interest rates are eye-wateringly high. As of August 2025, the average annual percentage rate (APR) is 22.83%, according to the Federal Reserve. If you’re carrying a balance on a credit card, you could be spending a hefty sum on interest alone.

In this case, a low-APR credit card can help you manage your payments by paying considerably less interest. Some cards offer a 0% intro APR for up to 24 months on purchases and/or balance transfers. This gives you a lengthy period to chip away at your balances without losing money to interest.

Detailed Overview: Best Low APR Credit Cards

** Information for the following card was not reviewed by U.S. Bank or provided by U.S. Bank.

** Information for the following card was not reviewed by Citi or provided by Citi.

What Is a Low APR Credit Card?

Low-APR credit cards are exactly as they sound: They charge a lower-than-average APR on any balances you carry. Sometimes called low-interest or low-rate credit cards, they typically fall into two categories:

• Introductory APRs: These cards offer a temporary low or 0% APR on purchases and/or balance transfers for a specified period after you open the account. After the introductory period ends, the rate changes to the card’s regular APR. 
• Ongoing low APRs: Some cards, particularly those offered by credit unions and local banks, may offer a regular, ongoing APR that’s lower than average. 

How Do 0% APR Offers Work?

A card with a 0% APR offer may extend that interest rate to purchases, balance transfers or both made with your card for a certain amount of time after you open your account. This interest-free window could be as little as a few months or as much as 24 months.

During the promotional period, as long as you make at least your minimum payment on time each month, you won’t be charged interest on your remaining balance. That can give you a breather from high-interest payments and help you knock out your debt faster.

Let’s look at a few examples to see how this works in practice:

• Wells Fargo Autograph® Card: The Wells Fargo Autograph Card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on purchases, followed by a 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR. That means for 12 months after you first open your account, you won’t be charged interest on new purchases as long as you make at least your minimum payment each billing cycle. After 12 months, the rate changes to 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR. This card does not offer an intro APR on balance transfers (balance transfers are charged a 18.49%, 24.49%, or 28.49% Variable APR).
• Citi Double Cash® Card: The Citi Double Cash Card, an advertising partner, offers a 0% intro APR for 18 months on Balance Transfers, followed by a 17.49% - 27.49% (Variable) APR. Balance transfers must be completed within the first four months of account opening. Once you’ve transferred your balance, as long as you make your minimum payment each billing cycle, you won’t be charged interest on the transferred balance for the duration of the promotional period. There’s no intro APR on purchases (you’ll pay a 17.49% - 27.49% (Variable) APR).
• Chase Freedom Unlimited: The Chase Freedom Unlimited offers a 0% Intro APR on Purchases and Balance Transfers for 15 months, then 18.49% - 27.99% Variable APR. Again, provided you make the minimum payment each billing cycle, you won’t be charged interest on new purchases or transferred balances until the introductory period expires.

The key thing to remember is that 0% introductory APRs don’t last forever. You’ll pay the card’s regular APR for purchases and balance transfers for any balances you carry after the promo period ends.

Pros and Cons of Low APR Cards

Pros

The primary draw of a low-APR credit card is obvious: It helps you to avoid paying interest. Whether you’re currently carrying a credit card balance or you foresee a situation that would require it, a low-APR credit card can save you a lot of money (we’ll discuss how best to use these cards in a minute).

Cons

Beyond their low interest rates, low-APR credit cards typically don’t offer much value. In fact, credit cards with the lowest rates and longest introductory periods often don’t even have a rewards program, meaning you won’t earn cash back or points for your everyday spending. Cards that offer rewards typically offer shorter intro APR periods.

Finally, if you’re shopping for a low-APR credit card for debt transfer, keep in mind that you can only transfer as much as your low-interest card’s credit limit will allow. If you’re approved for a credit card with a $2,000 credit line, you can only transfer $2,000 of debt onto that card.

What Are the Different Types of Low APR Cards?

Not many popular credit cards come with a low ongoing interest rate. But many credit cards offer 0% intro APR periods. Cash-back credit cards are the most common — but you’ll also find:

• Travel credit cards
• Small business cards
• Student credit cards for those with limited or poor credit history

No matter your credit situation, there’s almost certainly a 0% intro APR credit card that suits your goals.

How To Choose a Low-APR Card

There are a few features to keep in mind when shopping for a low-APR card:

Examine the Interest-Free Window

Many credit cards offer a 0% intro APR for a temporary period after account opening — usually 12 to 24 months. If you’re in need of an interest-free period, the longer the better.

Rate Shop for Low Purchase APR

You typically won’t know the exact interest rate you qualify for until you formally submit an application. However, some credit cards give you the opportunity to be “preapproved.” While this doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be approved for the card, the issuer will often reveal your unique interest rate if you decide to apply.

You can use this tactic to sift through proposed APRs and find the lowest one offered to you.

Consider Value After the Intro APR Offer

Credit cards with the longest 0% intro APR windows tend to have very few notable ongoing perks. Oftentimes, they don’t even earn rewards for your purchases.

If you can tolerate a slightly shorter intro APR period, you’ll have excellent rewards credit cards to choose from. Some even come with helpful annual statement credits, travel insurance or cell phone protection.

How To Save Money With a Low-Interest Credit Card

One of the worst financial mistakes you can make is to carry a balance on your credit cards. Not only will you incur enormous interest fees, but your credit utilization (which accounts for 30% of your FICO credit score) can be adversely affected.

There are two primary ways to save money with a low-interest credit card. Whether you’re looking for a card that offers an introductory interest-free period or one that offers a relatively low regular APR, the following activities can save you a bundle.

Transfer High-Interest Debt From Other Credit Cards

While the average credit card interest rate is above 22%, your APR is likely higher unless you’ve got excellent credit.

Transferring your high-APR balances to a credit card offering a 0% intro APR will give you a respite from the merciless interest payments, which can amount to several hundred dollars each month, depending on how high your balances are.

Fund a Large Upcoming Purchase

As a general rule, you should treat your credit card like a debit card — that is, never swipe your card for something you can’t immediately pay off. Credit cards make the devastating habit of spending beyond your means effortless.

That said, you may find that an emergency forces you to float money on your credit card. This can be costly when you’re subject to high interest rates. If you’ve got a considerable expense on the horizon that you don’t think you’ll be able to pay off within a few months, a low-interest credit card could be an inexpensive way to finance it.

How To Get the Lowest Credit Card Rate

To get the lowest regular purchase APR, you’ll need to have an excellent credit score.

Each issuer stipulates a unique interest rate range. The specific rate you’re offered will depend on your creditworthiness. Those with stellar credit profiles (a FICO score of 800 or above) tend to get the lowest credit card rate.

It’s also worth noting that you may be able to lower your current credit card APR by contacting your bank and requesting a rate reduction. Still, you should have a lengthy history of on-time payments and a good credit score to leverage with your request.