Debt Snowball & Avalanche Calculator

Compare the debt snowball and avalanche methods on the same debts, side by side. See the payoff time and total interest for each, and how much the avalanche method saves.

Compare the two most popular debt payoff methods on your own numbers. List your debts, add an extra monthly payment, and see the snowball and avalanche plans side by side, with the payoff time and total interest for each.

Your debts

Debt-free in

3 yr 9 mo

Avalanche clears it soonest, paying $100 extra a month

Interest (avalanche)
$5,691
Interest (snowball)
$5,691
Interest saved by avalanche
$0
Total paid (avalanche)
$22,691

Avalanche

Highest APR first

Payoff time
3 yr 9 mo
Total interest
$5,691
  1. 1Store card
  2. 2Credit card
  3. 3Personal loan

Snowball

Smallest balance first

Payoff time
3 yr 9 mo
Total interest
$5,691
  1. 1Store card
  2. 2Credit card
  3. 3Personal loan

Avalanche targets the highest APR first for the least interest; snowball clears the smallest balance first for quicker wins. Both roll each cleared minimum into the next debt. Estimates only.

How it works

  1. 1

    List your debts

    Add each balance with its APR and minimum monthly payment. Add or remove rows to match what you owe.

  2. 2

    Add your extra payment

    Enter anything you can put toward debt each month on top of the minimums.

  3. 3

    Compare the two plans

    See snowball and avalanche next to each other, with the payoff time and total interest for each, plus the order it clears your debts.

Instant & 100% private — nothing is uploaded

Every calculation runs locally in your browser. The income, balances and goals you enter stay on your own device and are never sent to a server — nothing is stored, logged or shared.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the snowball and avalanche methods?
The snowball method pays the smallest balance first for a quick win, then rolls that payment into the next smallest. The avalanche method pays the highest APR first, which costs the least interest overall. Both keep the minimums going on every other debt.
Which method pays off debt faster?
Avalanche usually clears everything for the least total interest, and often a little sooner, because it kills the most expensive debt first. Snowball can take marginally longer, but the early wins help some people stay motivated.
What is the rollover effect?
When a debt is cleared, its minimum payment doesn't disappear. It rolls into the payment on the next target debt, on top of your extra. The amount going toward debt grows as each one clears, which speeds up the later payoffs.
Why does it say my payments are too low?
If the minimums plus your extra don't cover the interest charged each month, the balances grow instead of shrinking and no plan can pay them off. Raise a minimum or your extra payment so you can make progress.

Important

For information and planning only — not financial, tax or legal advice. These figures are estimates; rates, fees and rules vary, so confirm anything that affects a real decision with a qualified professional or the official source.

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