Pay your Capital One card online, by phone, or by mail
Capital One lets you pay your credit card bill through their online portal, their mobile app, by phone, or by mailing a check. The fastest and most common method is online through Capital One's website or app — the payment posts the same day if you submit it before their cutoff time, usually around 8 p.m. Eastern. Phone and mail payments take longer: phone payments may post within one business day, while mailed checks typically take five to seven business days to reach their processing center.
You do not need to wait for a bill to arrive to make a payment. You can pay any amount, any time, as long as your account is open and in good standing. Most people set up automatic payments so they never miss a due date, but you can also make one-time payments whenever you choose.
Key Takeaways
- Online and app payments through Capital One's website or mobile app post the same day if submitted before the evening cutoff.
- You can pay by phone by calling the number on the back of your card, and the payment typically posts within one business day.
- Mailed payments take five to seven business days to process, so send them at least a week before your due date to avoid late fees.
- Setting up automatic payments from your bank account ensures you never miss a due date and can help protect your credit score.
- Your minimum payment and due date appear on your monthly statement and in your online account.
Pay online through Capital One's website or app
Log into your Capital One account at capitalone.com or open the Capital One mobile app on your phone. If you do not have an online account yet, you will need to create one using your card number, Social Security number, and date of birth. Once you are logged in, look for a "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" button — the exact wording varies depending on which device or browser you are using.
Enter the amount you want to pay and choose the date you want the payment to be deducted from your bank account. If you choose today's date and submit before the cutoff time (usually around 8 p.m. Eastern), the payment posts to your account the same day. If you choose a future date, the payment will post on that date. You will need your bank account number and routing number to complete the payment, or you can use a debit card.
After you submit, you will see a confirmation number on the screen. Write it down or take a screenshot — you may need it if you have questions about the payment later. Capital One will also send you a confirmation email.
Pay by phone
Call the customer service number on the back of your Capital One credit card. A representative will ask for your card number and the amount you want to pay. They will also ask which bank account you want the payment deducted from, or whether you want to pay with a debit card.
Phone payments typically post within one business day. The representative will give you a confirmation number before you hang up — keep this for your records. If you call after hours, you can use Capital One's automated phone system to make a payment without speaking to a person, though the process is slower and you may prefer to call back during business hours if you have questions.
Pay by mail
Write a check or money order payable to Capital One. Include your account number on the check. Mail it to the address shown on your monthly statement under "Payment Address" — this address is different from the one used for general correspondence, so check your bill carefully.
Mailed payments take five to seven business days to arrive and be processed. To make sure your payment reaches Capital One before your due date, mail it at least one week in advance. If you are close to your due date and worried the check will not arrive in time, use online or phone payment instead.
Set up automatic payments
Automatic payments remove the risk of forgetting a due date. Log into your Capital One account online or in the app and look for "Automatic Payments" or "Autopay" in the settings menu. You will choose the date each month when you want the payment to be deducted from your bank account, and the amount — either your full statement balance, your minimum payment, or a fixed amount you choose.
Most people set autopay to deduct the full statement balance on the due date shown on their bill. This ensures the balance is paid in full each month and you do not carry interest charges. If you prefer to pay a fixed amount each month, you can set that instead, though you may need to make additional payments if the fixed amount is less than your statement balance.
You can change or cancel autopay at any time through your account settings. If you cancel, you will need to make manual payments going forward or set up a new autopay schedule.
What to do if your payment is late
If your payment does not arrive by the due date, Capital One will charge a late fee. The amount depends on your account terms, but late fees typically range from $25 to $40 for the first late payment. If you miss a payment by more than 30 days, Capital One may report the late payment to the credit bureaus, which can lower your credit score.
If you realize your payment will be late, contact Capital One when ready by phone or through your online account. Some representatives can waive a late fee if you have a good payment history and this is your first late payment. Explain what happened and ask whether they can remove the fee — it does not hurt to ask, and many customers have success, especially if they have been on time for several months or years before.
Find your due date and minimum payment
Your due date and minimum payment appear on your monthly statement, which Capital One mails to you or makes available in your online account. The due date is the last day you can pay without being charged a late fee. The minimum payment is the smallest amount Capital One requires you to pay that month — paying only the minimum means you will carry a balance and pay interest, but it keeps your account in good standing.
You can also find this information by logging into your Capital One account online or in the app. Most accounts show the due date and minimum payment on the dashboard or account summary page. If you cannot find it, call the number on the back of your card and a representative will tell you both figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Capital One card with a different bank's debit card?
Yes. When you pay online or by phone, you can use any debit card, not just the bank account where your checking account is held. You will need the card number, expiration date, and CVV. Some people use this method if they want to earn rewards on the payment, though most credit card issuers do not allow you to pay a credit card bill with another credit card.
What time does Capital One stop accepting online payments each day?
The cutoff time is usually around 8 p.m. Eastern time. Payments submitted before this time post the same day; payments submitted after post the next business day. The exact cutoff may vary by a few minutes, so if you are cutting it close, submit your payment earlier in the evening to be safe.
Do I have to pay the full balance, or can I pay just the minimum?
You can pay any amount between the minimum payment and your full balance. Paying only the minimum keeps your account current, but you will owe interest on the remaining balance. Paying the full balance means you owe no interest that month. Most financial advisors recommend paying the full balance whenever possible to avoid interest charges.
What happens if I overpay my Capital One card?
If you pay more than you owe, the extra amount becomes a credit on your account. You can use this credit toward future purchases, or you can request that Capital One refund the overpayment to your bank account. Call the number on the back of your card to request a refund.
Can I pay my Capital One card from another bank's app?
Many banks allow you to pay bills to other companies through their bill pay feature. You can try setting up Capital One as a payee in your bank's app and sending a payment that way. However, this method is slower than paying directly through Capital One, so use it only if you prefer managing all your payments in one place.