Debt calculator
Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator
Compare payoff strategies across up to three debts.
September 2026
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Results update privately in your browser.
Understand the estimate
What your result means
Debt snowball generally prioritizes the smallest remaining balance first. Debt avalanche generally prioritizes the highest APR first. Neither approach is universally best for every person or situation.
The model applies every active debt’s entered minimum payment before directing the extra monthly amount to the current target. It reports payoff order, aggregate timelines, and interest; actual outcomes can differ with fees, changing terms, and payment consistency.
Before you enter a value
What should I enter?
- Balances, APRs, and minimum payments
- Enter each debt’s current balance, annual percentage rate, and required minimum monthly payment. Leave unused debts at zero.
- Extra monthly payment
- Enter the amount available above all required minimum payments. The calculator directs this extra amount using the selected strategy.
Important considerations
Before you decide
- Ignoring APR differences when comparing multiple debts.
- Assuming either strategy works without consistent payments.
- Treating a simplified estimate as a lender or issuer statement.
How we calculate
A transparent estimate you can inspect.
Formula
Each active debt receives its entered minimum payment. The extra monthly payment is then directed to the selected strategy target.
Privacy
Your values are calculated locally and are not sent to a server by this calculator.
Use with care
Results are for informational purposes, not financial, tax, legal, lending, or investment advice.
Understanding your results
Avalanche prioritizes higher APR; snowball prioritizes smaller balances.
Assumptions and limitations
- Does not model issuer-specific minimum payments.
Common questions
Before you decide
What is the debt snowball method?
It generally prioritizes the smallest balance first while continuing to address the other debts in the plan.
What is the debt avalanche method?
It generally prioritizes the highest APR first.
Which method usually saves more interest?
Under many assumptions, directing more payment to higher APR debt can reduce interest. This calculator does not declare a universal winner.
Can snowball still make sense if it costs more interest?
Some people value earlier visible payoff milestones. The choice depends on the plan, constraints, and payment consistency.