Work out your deadline and download a ready-made cancellation letter as a PDF - free, no login required
The calculator takes your contract start date, your notice period (1-12 months), and your preferred cancellation cutoff (end of month, end of quarter, end of year, or anytime) and works out the latest date you need to send your cancellation for it to take effect on the next possible end date. It accounts for calendar months and leap years automatically.
Many US subscriptions and memberships - gyms, streaming services, cell phone plans, insurance policies - renew automatically unless you cancel before the deadline in your terms and conditions. A number of states have passed "automatic renewal" laws requiring companies to make cancellation as easy as signing up, and the Federal Trade Commission has also focused on this area at the federal level, though the specific rules and how they're enforced vary by state and provider. Always check your own contract or the provider's cancellation policy, since general estimates won't reflect every agreement.
Notice periods vary widely, but as a general guide: gym memberships often require 30 to 90 days' notice before the end of a membership term; streaming and software subscriptions can frequently be canceled anytime, taking effect at the end of the current billing cycle; insurance policies commonly require around 30 days' notice before renewal; and cell phone, internet, or utility contracts often require roughly 30 days' notice. These are typical ranges only - always confirm the actual notice period in your own contract, since providers set their own terms. If you're unsure of your rights, your state attorney general's consumer protection office is a good place to check for general guidance.
If you miss the deadline, most contracts will automatically renew for another term - another month, quarter, or year depending on the agreement - and you'll usually need to wait for the next cancellation window to end it. Some providers may make a goodwill exception if you contact them promptly, but they're not obligated to.
Many providers require cancellation in writing - by letter or email - so there's a clear record of when notice was given, since a phone call alone may not count as valid notice under some terms and conditions. Sending your letter by certified mail, or getting written confirmation by email, gives you evidence if a dispute ever comes up.
Usually yes, but you'll typically need to give the standard notice period again, and your earliest possible cancellation date may fall partway through the new renewal term - so you could still be billed for part of it. Some longer contracts have specific rules around renewal periods, so check your terms and conditions carefully or contact the provider directly if you're unsure.
