The fastest way to pay Capital One is through their website or mobile app, using your bank account or debit card
Capital One lets you pay in three main ways: online through their website or app, by phone, or by mail. Most people use the website or app because the payment posts the same day if you pay before 8 p.m. Eastern time. You can set up a one-time payment in minutes, or schedule recurring payments so you never miss a due date.
You will need your Capital One account number and your bank details (routing number and account number) or a debit card. If you do not have these handy, you can look up your account number on your statement or log into your Capital One account online.
Key Takeaways
- Payments made online or through the Capital One app before 8 p.m. Eastern time post the same day.
- You can pay from a checking or savings account, or use a debit card, but not a credit card.
- Setting up automatic payments from your bank account removes the risk of forgetting a due date.
- Payments by mail take 5 to 7 business days to reach Capital One, so mail early if your due date is soon.
- You can pay more than the minimum at any time without penalty or extra fees.
Paying online through the Capital One website
Go to capitalone.com and click "Sign In" at the top right. Enter your username and password. If you do not have an online account yet, click "Enroll Now" and follow the prompts to set one up using your card number and Social Security number.
Once you are logged in, look for "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now" — the exact wording depends on your card type. Click it. You will see your current balance, minimum payment due, and due date. Enter the amount you want to pay. Choose whether to pay from a bank account or debit card. If you choose a bank account, enter your routing number and account number. If you choose a debit card, enter the card number, expiration date, and CVV.
Review the payment details and click "Confirm" or "Submit Payment". You will see a confirmation number. Write it down or take a screenshot. The payment will post the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day. Payments submitted after 8 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day.
Paying through the Capital One mobile app
read the Capital One app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Open it and log in with your username and password, or create an account if you do not have one yet. Tap the card you want to pay.
Tap "Make a Payment" or "Pay Now". You will see your balance and due date. Enter the amount you want to pay. Choose your payment method — bank account or debit card — and enter the details. Confirm the payment. You will receive a confirmation number and a receipt in the app. The payment posts the same day if submitted before 8 p.m. Eastern time.
Setting up automatic payments
Automatic payments take the guesswork out of paying on time. Log into your Capital One account online or open the app. Look for "Manage Autopay" or "Set Up Automatic Payments". Select the card you want to set up autopay for.
Choose how much you want to pay automatically each month: the full statement balance, the minimum payment, or a fixed amount you choose. Pick the day of the month you want the payment to come out — many people choose a few days after payday. Enter your bank account details. Confirm the setup. Capital One will pull the payment from your account on that date each month.
You can change or cancel autopay anytime by logging back into your account and updating your autopay settings. If you cancel, you will need to make manual payments again.
Paying by phone
Call Capital One's customer service number on the back of your card. A representative will ask for your account number and verify your identity. Tell them you want to make a payment. They will ask how much you want to pay and what payment method you want to use — bank account or debit card. Provide your routing and account number, or your debit card details.
The representative will read back the payment details and ask you to confirm. Once you confirm, the payment is submitted. You will receive a confirmation number. Write it down. Payments made by phone before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day post the same day.
Paying by mail
Write a check or money order payable to Capital One. Do not send cash. On the check or money order, write your account number in the memo line. Include a payment stub if you have one — Capital One sends these with your statement. If you do not have a stub, write your name, account number, and the amount you are paying on a separate piece of paper and include it with your check.
Mail your payment to the address on your statement or the back of your card. Different Capital One card types may have different mailing addresses, so check your statement to be sure. Mail your payment at least 5 to 7 business days before your due date to make sure it arrives on time. Capital One cannot control how long the mail takes, so early is safer than late.
What to do if you miss a payment or cannot pay on time
If your payment is late, Capital One will report it to the credit bureaus after 30 days. A late payment will lower your credit score and may trigger a penalty interest rate on your card. If you know you will miss a due date, call Capital One before the date arrives. Some representatives can work with you on a payment plan or defer a payment, though this is not may provide.
If you are having trouble paying, look into whether Capital One offers a hardship program. These programs may lower your interest rate or pause payments for a short time. Call the number on the back of your card and ask whether you may have access to. The sooner you reach out, the more options you may have.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I pay my Capital One card with another credit card?
No. Capital One only accepts payments from a bank account or debit card. Paying a credit card with another credit card is treated as a cash advance by most card issuers, and it comes with high fees and interest.
How long does it take for a payment to show up on my account?
Online and phone payments made before 8 p.m. Eastern time on a business day post the same day. Payments made after 8 p.m. or on weekends post the next business day. Mail payments take 5 to 7 business days.
Is there a fee to pay my Capital One card?
No. Capital One does not charge a fee for any payment method — online, app, phone, or mail. Some banks may charge a fee if you use their bill pay service, so check with your bank.
What if I pay more than I owe?
Capital One will hold the extra amount as a credit on your account. You can use it toward future purchases, or you can request a refund. Log into your account or call customer service to request a refund of the overpayment.
Can I change my due date?
Yes. Log into your Capital One account online or call the number on the back of your card. Ask to change your due date. Capital One will let you move it to a different day of the month that works better with your budget.