The smallest amount you can pay each month without being considered late or delinquent. While making minimum payments keeps you in good standing, it's designed to keep you paying interest for years or even decades since interest on your over all balance continues to accrue. Credit card companies love minimum payers—you're their most profitable customers. If you can only afford the minimum right now, that's okay, but have a plan to pay more when your situation improves. Your financial freedom depends on it.