0% Intro APR Credit Cards
Cards offering a true 0% introductory APR on purchases for a set period — distinct from balance-transfer offers.
A 0% introductory APR credit card charges no interest on new purchases during a promotional window — typically a set number of months from account opening. Once that window closes, the card's regular APR applies to any remaining balance. The key distinction worth understanding before applying is the difference between a true 0% APR offer and a deferred-interest promotion: with a true 0% APR, no interest accrues during the promotional period, so only the remaining balance after the period is subject to the ongoing rate. With deferred interest — more common on retail and store cards — all the interest from the original purchase date is charged if you have not paid the full balance by the deadline. If your goal is to move existing card debt rather than finance new purchases, a balance-transfer card is the more purpose-built option. Terms, promotional lengths, and regular APRs vary by card and issuer and should always be compared before applying.
Who it's for
People planning a large purchase they want to pay off over time without accruing interest during an introductory window. Useful when you know you can pay down the balance before the promotional period ends. Because approval and the length of the intro period depend on your credit, results vary by applicant. If your goal is to move existing card debt, see <a href='/cards/balance-transfer/'>balance-transfer cards</a> instead.
How it works
The card charges no interest on new purchases during the promotional period — which typically lasts a set number of months from account opening. After that period, the regular (often variable) APR applies to any remaining balance. Unlike deferred-interest promotions (common on retail cards), a true 0% APR offer means no interest accrues during the promotional period — nothing is "deferred" to be charged later. You must still make at least the minimum payment each month to keep the promotion active. Compare this with <a href='/cards/balance-transfer/'>balance-transfer cards</a>, which offer an intro APR on moved debt rather than new purchases.
What to compare
Compare the length of the promotional period, the regular APR that follows, any annual fee, and whether the intro rate applies to both purchases and balance transfers (or just one). Have a concrete plan to pay down the balance before the promotional window closes — the regular APR applies to anything left afterward. Read the full terms, including what voids the promotion (like a late payment).
Key terms at a glance
| Card type | Credit (0% intro APR on purchases) |
| Intro APR | 0% for a set period on purchases — confirm start date and length |
| After intro period | Regular (often variable) APR applies to the remaining balance |
| vs. deferred interest | True 0% APR: no interest accrues. Deferred interest: back-interest charged if not paid in full — different products |
| Best for | Financing a planned purchase with a clear payoff plan before the intro period ends |
Pros and cons
Potential advantages
- Genuine 0% APR — no interest accrues on purchases during the promotional period.
- Useful for spreading a large, planned purchase over time without added cost.
- Some cards combine the offer with rewards or no annual fee.
Things to watch
- After the intro period, the full regular APR applies to any remaining balance.
- A late or missed payment may cancel the promotional rate — read the terms.
- Only useful with a realistic payoff plan; without one, the deferred balance accrues interest.
Sources: CFPB — How do I build credit?; CFPB — Credit Cards. Credit-card information follows the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Reserve; always confirm current rates, fees, and terms with the issuer before applying.
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Compare card offers / get matched →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between 0% APR and deferred interest?
A true 0% APR means no interest accrues on your balance during the promotional period — if you don't pay it all off, you only owe interest on whatever is left after the promotion ends. Deferred interest (common on retail cards) means all the interest from the purchase date is charged if you haven't paid the full balance by the deadline. The CFPB advises reading the promotional terms carefully to know which type you have.
Does a 0% APR card also cover balance transfers?
It depends on the specific card. Some offer 0% intro APR on both purchases and balance transfers; others apply it only to one. A balance transfer also usually carries a separate balance-transfer fee. Read the card's full terms — the <a href='/cards/balance-transfer/'>balance-transfer page</a> covers that product in more detail.