👉 Early Termination Fee Calculator
Calculate the real cost to leave your carrier today and find the break-even month for switching.
Note: Major US carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) no longer charge traditional Early Termination Fees on service contracts. Modern plans use device installment plans and promotional bill credits. If you leave early, you owe the remaining device balance — and any earned promotional credits stop. This calculator shows that total cost.
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Promotional credits that have NOT yet been applied to your bill — these get clawed back if you leave. Check your original trade-in or plan promotion terms.
Enter your plan details above to calculate the cost to leave
How Modern Carrier "ETFs" Actually Work
Traditional service contract ETFs (e.g., "$350 minus $10/month") were phased out around 2015–2017. Today, the financial lock-in comes from two sources:
- Device installment plans: You finance your phone over 24 or 36 months at 0% APR. If you leave, the remaining balance is due — typically accelerated to within 1–2 billing cycles.
- Promotional bill credits: Carrier deals (e.g., "get $800 off a new iPhone") apply as monthly credits over 24–36 months. If you cancel before the credits are fully applied, the carrier stops the credits — you don't get the remaining ones. On some plans, credits already received are clawed back.
The break-even analysis shows you whether the total cost of leaving now is less than continuing to pay monthly. If you're switching to a plan that saves you money each month, those savings may offset the cost to leave early.
Carrier-Specific Notes
- Verizon: Device Payment Agreement — remaining balance due when you leave. Promotional credits stop, not clawed back on most plans.
- AT&T: Installment Plan — remaining balance due. NEXT Up promotional trade-in values may be voided if returned early.
- T-Mobile: Equipment Installment Plan (EIP) — remaining balance accelerated. JUMP! On Demand has separate terms.
- Cricket/Metro/Boost: Prepaid carriers — no contracts or device financing locks. You own the phone after purchase; switching is penalty-free.