FILE - Woman checking bills and calculating credit card expenses at home. (Getty Images)
U.S. consumers added $16 billion in credit card debt so far this year.
That brings the total credit card debt to about $1.33 trillion, according to preliminary data observed by WalletHub.
Quarter 3 of 2025 credit card debt
Dig deeper:
Total credit card debt in October 2025 was 8% below the all-time record for the month, and that’s after adjusting for inflation.
Though the $16 billion addition to the national credit card debt sounds immense, it was 27% less than what was added at the same time last year.
The average credit card debt per household was slightly more than at the same time last year at $11,097. In 2024, the average was $11,069.
How to lower credit card debt
With high levels of credit card debt in addition to high inflation, many consumers have found themselves unable to cover monthly payments, leading some to default.
A borrower goes into default when they miss credit card payments for over 180 days, roughly six months.
When there is a failure to pay over such a long period, banks generally take this as a sign that a borrower won’t pay the debt anymore, said Matt Sotir, financial advisor with Equitable Advisors based in New Hampshire.
Defaulting on credit card debt can have serious consequences, including a negative impact on credit reports that lead to a long-lasting effect on the ability to borrow money, said Sotir.
What you can do:
It’s best if you pay your credit card in full every month, but if that is not possible, making at least the minimum payment each month can help you avoid falling further into debt.
If you are having trouble making payments on your credit card, you can reach out to your bank and ask if you can be placed in a payment plan.
Other alternatives include reaching out to a credit counseling organization or transferring your credit card debt to a 0% interest card, though that typically comes with a fee.
Ensuring you are budgeting and not spending more than you’re able to pay off is also key.
And filing for bankruptcy should be the absolute and final option, experts say. Exhaust all possible options before considering it.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from a WalletHub report from Dec. 5, 2025 and previous reporting by The Associated Press. This story was reported from San Jose.