Debt Snowball vs. Avalanche Calculator

Enter your debts and extra payment to see which payoff method finishes first and saves the most interest.

Your Debts
Leave a balance blank to skip that row.
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
On top of all minimums.
Fractions and decimals both work.
–
Saved with Avalanche
Snowball
Avalanche
Minimums only
Snowball order
Avalanche order
Total debt
Monthly Budget

Payoff Timeline (Avalanche)

When each debt is paid off with the avalanche method.

DebtBalanceAPRPaid Off (Snowball)Paid Off (Avalanche)Remove

Debt Snowball vs. Debt Avalanche

Both methods pay the minimum on every debt and put all extra money on one target debt. When it's paid off, its payment rolls to the next target, so the payment you throw at debts keeps growing.

Snowball: target the smallest balance first
Avalanche: target the highest interest rate first

The avalanche always costs the same or less interest. The snowball clears whole debts sooner, which many people find motivating. The page simulates both month by month with interest at APR ÷ 12.

Worked Example

Tips

Stop adding new charges while you pay down, or the plan stalls. If one debt has a much higher rate and a small balance, both methods pick it first. Consider a 0% balance transfer or consolidation loan for high-rate cards, but watch the fees.