MoneyGeek Cash Back Calculator

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CASH BACK FOR A SPECIFIC CARD?

Many of our credit card reviews have custom rewards calculators. Some of the most popular cash back calculators:

If you want to skip the calculators, check out our ranking of the Best Cash Back Cards. We collected and reviewed 32 data points for each of the top 60 cash back credit cards out there, including the expected cash back from each card.

How to Calculate Credit Card Cash Back

Cash back is simple math: multiply what you spend by your cash back rate. But cards with bonus categories make it more complicated since they cap bonus rates after you spend a certain amount, and some require you to activate categories each quarter.

Here's how to use our cash back calculator:

1
Select a Spend Category
Pick from Groceries, Dining, Transportation, Shopping, Utilities, Health and Wellness, Entertainment or Other.
2
Enter the Cash Back Rate
Type in the percentage your card pays for that category.
3
Input Your Expected Spending
Enter how much you'll spend in that category.
4
Add or Remove Categories
Click "Add a Category" to include more spending types or hit "delete" to remove any.

Your cash back amount updates automatically as you type.

ENTERING SPEND CAPS

If your card caps higher cash back rates, enter two lines: one for spending up to the cap at the higher rate and another for spending beyond the cap at the lower rate (usually 1%).

Example Cash Back Calculations

Here's how much cash back two popular cards earn based on a typical American household spending profile. The sample profile totals $22,000 in annual credit card spending, or $1,833 per month, broken down as $8,000 on groceries (about $150 per week), $3,000 on gas (about $57 per week), $1,000 on online shopping and $10,000 on everything else, including phone bills and dining out.

Capital One Quicksilver

The Capital One Quicksilver Cash Rewards Credit Card pays unlimited 1.5% cash back every time you buy something. To calculate QuicksilverOne cash back in the calculator:

Change the first line category to "Other Spending" from the drop-down menu.
Enter "1.5" as the cash back rate (%).
Enter $22,000 for your spending amount.

The calculator shows $330 in cash back for the year.

Blue Cash Everyday Card From American Express

The Blue Cash Everyday Card from American Express has multiple bonus categories with spending caps.

Cash back structure:

3% at U.S. supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1%
3% on U.S. online retail purchases up to $6,000 per year, then 1%
3% at U.S. gas stations up to $6,000 per year, then 1%
1% on everything else
Rewards come as Reward Dollars you can redeem as statement credits or use at Amazon.com checkout

To calculate rewards with our spending profile:

Enter grocery spending: Select "Groceries," enter "3" for the cash back rate and input $6,000. Since our example spends $8,000 on groceries, add another "Groceries" line with "1" as the cash back rate and input $2,000 for the amount over the cap.
Enter online shopping: Select "Shopping," enter "3" for the cash back rate and input $1,000. Since we're under the $6,000 cap, we don't need a second line.
Enter gas spending: Select "Transportation," enter "3" for the cash back rate and input $3,000.
Enter other purchases: Select "Other Spending," enter "1" for the cash back rate and input $10,000.

Total estimated cash back: $420.

Conclusions

The Blue Cash Everyday earns more cash back than the Quicksilver with this spending profile. But your results depend on how you spend. If you dine out often instead of buying groceries, the Quicksilver might earn you more.

READ OUR HEAD TO HEAD COMPARISON

When we did our full head-to-head review of the Quicksilver vs. Blue Cash Everyday we found the Quicksilver card to be slightly better overall.

But what if you had both cards? You could get 1.5% cash back on all of your purchases that weren’t included in the 3% categories of the Blue Cash Everyday. To calculate this, you’d go back to what you entered for the Blue Cash Everyday card and change the 1% values to 1.5%.

This pairing could work, but the gain is only $50. Consider whether juggling an additional card is worth it, given your spending habits and how you manage your finances.

In our experience, keeping two to three credit cards in active use grows your rewards without adding much complexity. That said, pay off the full balance each month, no matter how many cards you carry. Interest charges wipe out cash back earnings fast if you're carrying a balance.

Comparing Credit Card Cash Back Cards

Annual Fee: Some cards offer higher cash back rates but charge an annual fee. Run the numbers on your expected rewards before applying to confirm the fee is worth it.

Credit Score Requirements: Confirm your credit score meets the card's minimum before you apply. Applying for a card you don't qualify for adds a hard inquiry to your report for nothing.

Penalties: Read the penalty rates and fees before committing. High penalty rates can erase rewards quickly.

Intro Purchase APR: Some cards offer 0% introductory APR on purchases, which gives you breathing room if you need to carry a balance early on.

Issuer: Customer service quality varies by issuer and affects how smoothly problems get resolved. American Express consistently leads in customer satisfaction.

Welcome Offer: A strong welcome offer can tip a close decision, but don't apply for a card just to chase the bonus.

If you’re looking for cash back card ideas, our ranking of the best cash back cards can help you narrow down your options.

Cash Back Calculator FAQ

How do I calculate cash back rewards on my credit card?

To calculate cash back rewards, multiply your spending in each category by the cash back rate for that category. For example, if you spend $500 on groceries with a card that offers 3% cash back on groceries, you would earn $15 in cash back.

What if I don't see the spending category in the calculator drop down?

If a spending category is missing, you can use the "Other Spending" category to input your spending and cash back rate. Since you're putting in the cash back rates yourself, you can add lines and pick whichever category helps you remember.

How do I include a card's annual fee in the cash back calculator?

To include an annual fee in your cash back calculations, subtract the annual fee from your total cash back earnings. For example, if you earn $300 in cash back but the card has a $95 annual fee, your net cash back would be $205. This helps you determine if the rewards outweigh the cost of the card or to compare it to a no-annual fee cash back card.

Is 5% cash back a good reward rate?

A 5% cash back rate is excellent. But 5% rates usually apply only to specific categories and cap after you spend a certain amount, which makes them less valuable than they sound. Read the card's terms to understand the limits. If you want 5% cards, check our best 5% cash back cards ranking.

How can I maximize my cash back rewards?

Maximizing your cash back rewards starts with matching cards to your biggest spending categories. Watch for special offers and promotions, but don't let them push you into spending more than you otherwise would.

How do I compare different cash back credit cards?

Comparing cash back credit cards comes down to four factors: cash back rates, bonus categories, spending caps and annual fees. A cash back calculator estimates your rewards based on your actual spending, which shows which card delivers the best value for your habits.

Are cash back credit cards better than other rewards cards?

Whether cash back credit cards beat other rewards cards depends on your spending and what rewards you'll actually use. Cash back cards offer straightforward rewards you can use anywhere. Travel cards offer points or miles that can be worth more if you travel frequently. Pick whichever rewards you'll use most.

About Doug Milnes, CFA

Doug Milnes is a CFA charter holder with over 10 years of experience in corporate finance and the Head of Credit Cards at MoneyGeek. Formerly, he performed valuations for Duff and Phelps and financial planning and analysis for various companies. His analysis has been cited by U.S. News and World Report, The Hill, the Los Angeles Times, The New York Times and many other outlets.

Milnes holds a master’s degree in data science from Northwestern University. He geeks out on helping people feel on top of their credit card use, from managing debt to optimizing rewards.

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