Add every debt with its balance, APR and minimum payment, then set how much extra you can pay each month. The calculator simulates every month for both strategies: it charges interest, pays the minimums, and rolls the leftover (plus any freed-up minimums from cleared debts) onto the target debt. You get two debt-free dates, two total-interest figures, the exact order each debt is cleared, and a plain verdict on how much the avalanche method saves. Nothing you type is uploaded or stored.
Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator
Runs entirely in your browser - no upload, no sign-up.
Your debts
On top of the combined minimums.
Total debt$9,900
Total monthly payment$475
Snowball vs Avalanche
SnowballSmallest balance first
Debt-free in27 months
- Interest paid
- $2,631
- Total paid
- $12,531
AvalancheHighest APR first
Least interestDebt-free in26 months
- Interest paid
- $1,982
- Total paid
- $11,882
The avalanche method clears your debt for $649 less in interest and 1 month sooner.
Payoff order
| # | Debt | Cleared | Interest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Credit card | — | $1,326 |
| 2 | Personal loan | — | $547 |
| 3 | Store card | — | $110 |
Estimates assume fixed balances, rates and payments with no new charges. Interest compounds monthly. Check your statements for exact figures.
What is a debt snowball vs avalanche calculator?
It is a debt-payoff planner that runs your balances two ways at once: the snowball method (pay the smallest balance first) and the avalanche method (pay the highest interest rate first). Enter each debt and your extra monthly payment and it shows your debt-free date, total interest, and payoff order for both, side by side. Everything runs in your browser.
How to use
- 1List your debts. Add each debt with its current balance, annual interest rate (APR) and minimum monthly payment. Use Add debt for as many as you need.
- 2Set your extra payment. Enter how much you can pay each month on top of all the minimums combined. Even a small extra amount changes the outcome.
- 3Compare the two plans. See the debt-free date, months and total interest for both snowball and avalanche, then switch tabs to read the exact payoff order for either method.
Who it's for
- Anyone with several debts - cards, loans, store finance - deciding which to attack first.
- People choosing a strategy who want to see the real trade-off between quick wins and lowest interest.
- Budgeters testing how an extra $50, $200 or $500 a month changes their debt-free date.
- Anyone rebuilding after high-interest debt who wants a clear, dated payoff order to follow.
FAQ
Is the debt payoff calculator free?
Yes. It is completely free, needs no sign-up, and runs entirely in your browser. Your balances, rates and payments are never uploaded or stored on a server.
What is the difference between the snowball and avalanche methods?
Both pay the minimum on every debt and put all spare money toward one target debt. The snowball method targets the smallest balance first for quick psychological wins. The avalanche method targets the highest interest rate first, which always costs the least total interest. This tool runs both so you can see the exact difference for your debts.
Which method pays off debt faster?
The avalanche method is never slower and usually cheaper, because eliminating your highest-rate debt first reduces the interest working against you. The snowball method can clear individual debts sooner, which keeps many people motivated. The calculator shows both debt-free dates so you can weigh speed against staying on track.
How is the interest calculated?
Each month the tool charges interest on every open balance at the debt's APR divided by 12, pays the minimums, then applies your extra payment plus any freed-up minimums to the target debt. It repeats month by month until every balance reaches zero, so the totals reflect real compounding rather than a rough estimate.
What if my minimum payments don't cover the interest?
If your total monthly payment is less than the interest charged, the balances grow and the debt is never repaid. The calculator flags this so you know you need to increase your extra payment or the minimums before any plan can work.
Does the extra payment roll over when a debt is paid off?
Yes. That is what makes it a snowball. When a debt is cleared, its minimum payment and your extra amount both roll onto the next target debt, so your monthly payment stays the same while more of it goes to principal over time.
Does this account for new charges or fees?
No. The calculator assumes your balances, rates and payments stay fixed with no new spending or fees. It is a planning estimate; your statements are the final word on your actual balances and interest.