● Snowball vs Avalanche

Debt Payoff Calculator

Enter all your debts and see exactly when you'll be debt-free — and how much interest you can save with the right strategy.

The Avalanche method (highest interest first) saves the most money in interest. The Snowball method (smallest balance first) wins psychologically by delivering quick early victories. This calculator shows both and lets you compare.

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Enter each debt · choose Avalanche or Snowball · add extra payment

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Your debts

NameBalance ($)Rate (%/yr)Min pmt ($)

Extra monthly payment (applied to target debt)

Payoff strategy

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Payoff plan

Add your debts above to see your payoff plan.

How it's calculated

Avalanche vs Snowball: two proven strategies

Both strategies work by fixing your total monthly debt payment and rolling paid-off debt's minimum payment to the next target. The difference is which debt you attack first.

Each month per debt: Interest charged = balance × (annual rate ÷ 12) Principal paid = payment − interest New balance = balance − principal paid Target order: Avalanche: sorted by rate DESC (highest interest first) Snowball: sorted by balance ASC (smallest first) After a debt is paid off: That minimum payment "rolls" to the next target debt.

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Monthly budget (minimums + extra)
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Months until debt-free
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Total interest paid
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Avalanche method: Pay minimum on all debts, then put all extra money toward the highest-interest debt. Mathematically optimal.
Snowball method: Pay minimum on all debts, then put all extra money toward the smallest balance. Psychologically optimal for many people.
Debt-free date: The month and year when your last debt will be paid off under your chosen strategy.

🔢 Worked example

With a $3,000 card at 22% and a $6,000 loan at 10%, the avalanche method attacks the 22% card first and saves the most interest; the snowball clears the $3,000 first for a quicker psychological win.

Disclaimer: assumes fixed interest rates and that minimum payments stay constant. Verify current balances and rates with your lenders. Always confirm with an official source before deciding.

Frequently asked questions

Avalanche vs Snowball — which saves more money?

Avalanche always saves more interest because it eliminates the highest-cost debt first. For example, on $30k of debt across three cards, Avalanche might save $800 vs Snowball. But Snowball's early wins improve follow-through for many people — reducing debt is the goal, not mathematical perfection.

What is the debt avalanche method?

Pay minimums on all debts, then put every extra dollar toward the debt with the highest interest rate. When it's paid off, roll that full payment to the next highest-rate debt. Repeat until debt-free. Mathematically optimal.

What is the debt snowball method?

Pay minimums on all debts, then put every extra dollar toward the smallest balance. When it's paid off, roll that full payment to the next smallest. Dave Ramsey popularized this approach. It delivers quick wins that sustain motivation.

Does the extra payment amount matter a lot?

Enormously. Even $50–$100/month extra can cut years off your debt-free date and save thousands in interest. The calculator shows the exact impact — try different amounts to find an extra payment that fits your budget.

About this calculator

The debt payoff calculator helps you build a plan to get out of debt by estimating how long it will take to clear what you owe and how much interest you will pay. You enter your balances, interest rates and the amount you can put toward debt each month, and it maps out the road to zero.

It also lets you see the impact of paying extra or of tackling debts in a different order, so you can compare strategies. Seeing the payoff date and total interest side by side makes it easier to stay motivated and choose the approach that saves you the most.

By Vinicius Fonseca · Reviewed against official sources · Updated Aug 2026 · How we calculate →