Debt payoff calculator: snowball vs avalanche

Compare both popular payoff methods with your real debts. Free, private, runs in your browser.

How it works

Each month interest is added (APR ÷ 12), every debt gets its minimum payment, and all remaining budget goes to one target debt. When a debt is paid off, its payment rolls over to the next one.

  • Avalanche: target the highest APR first. This minimizes total interest.
  • Snowball: target the smallest balance first. Quick wins that keep many people motivated.

Learn more

Debt snowball vs avalanche: a side-by-side exampleDebt snowball vs debt avalanche compared with a real worked example: three debts, one monthly budget, payoff order, months to debt-free and total interest for each method.Mortgage amortization and the power of extra paymentsHow mortgage amortization works, the monthly payment formula, a year-by-year schedule for a $300,000 loan at 6.5%, and how $100, $200 or $500 extra a month changes payoff time and interest.

FAQ

Which method is better?

Avalanche usually costs less interest. Snowball can be easier to stick with. The best method is the one you will follow.

What if my budget only covers minimums?

You will still pay off the debts if minimums exceed interest, but slowly. Any extra budget speeds things up a lot.

Are promotional 0% rates handled?

Enter 0 as the APR for the promo period. The calculator assumes rates stay constant.

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