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Debt Snowball vs. Avalanche Calculator

Enter your debts and a monthly budget to run both payoff strategies side by side — see the time, the total interest, and how quickly the snowball clears your first debt.

Enter each debt and the total you can put toward debt every month. We'll run both strategies and compare them.

BalanceAPR %Min. payment
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Avalanche (highest APR first)

Debt-free in
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Total interest
$0

Snowball (smallest balance first)

Debt-free in
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Total interest
$0

How the two strategies work

Both methods pay the minimum on every debt and throw every spare dollar at one target debt. When that debt is gone, its payment rolls into the next — the "snowball" effect that accelerates payoff. The only difference is which debt you target first:

  • Avalanche: highest interest rate first → least total interest paid.
  • Snowball: smallest balance first → fastest first win, best for motivation.

How to read your results

Compare the two columns. If the avalanche saves a meaningful amount of interest, the math favors it. If the numbers are close, the snowball's quicker first payoff can be worth it for the psychological boost — the strategy you actually finish beats the one you abandon.

Want a single-debt view? Use the Debt Payoff Calculator. Considering one loan instead? Try the Debt Consolidation Calculator, or read How to Pay Off Credit Card Debt.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the snowball and avalanche methods?
The avalanche method puts every extra dollar toward your highest-APR debt first, which mathematically minimizes total interest. The snowball method targets your smallest balance first, giving you quick wins that build momentum. Both pay minimums on everything else and roll freed-up payments into the next debt.
Which method saves the most money?
The avalanche method almost always saves the most interest, because it attacks your most expensive debt first. The difference is usually modest unless your APRs vary a lot. This calculator shows the exact gap for your debts.
So which should I actually use?
The best method is the one you'll stick with. If seeing a debt disappear keeps you motivated, the snowball's quick first win may be worth a small amount of extra interest. If you're driven by the math, go avalanche.

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