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Debt payoff calculator (snowball vs avalanche)
Free debt payoff calculator for multiple debts. Compare the debt snowball and debt avalanche side by side: payoff date, total interest and the order each debt is paid off.
How this calculator works
Enter each debt's balance, APR (the yearly interest rate on your statement) and minimum payment, then add any extra amount you can put toward debt every month. The calculator runs your plan month by month. Each month, interest is added to every balance, every minimum is paid, and all the extra money goes to one "target" debt. When a debt is paid off, its minimum payment doesn't disappear. It rolls into the extra amount and speeds up the next debt. That rollover is what makes both methods work.
Snowball vs avalanche in plain English
The debt snowball targets the smallest balance first, no matter its rate. You clear a debt quickly, which feels good and frees up a payment early. The debt avalanche targets the highest APR first. On paper it always costs the same or less in interest, because the most expensive money goes away first.
The gap between them is often smaller than people expect. When your debts have similar rates, or your smallest debt also has the highest rate, the two plans can be nearly identical. When a large debt carries a much higher rate than a small one, the avalanche can save hundreds of dollars. The calculator shows you the exact difference for your numbers, so you don't have to guess.
Which one should you pick?
Pick the plan you'll actually follow. If you've started and quit before, the quick win of the snowball may be worth a little extra interest. If you're motivated by the math and the avalanche saves a meaningful amount, go with that. Either plan beats paying only minimums.
Getting accurate results
- Use the current balance and APR from your latest statement, not the original loan amount.
- If a card has a 0% promo rate, enter 0, but note the date the promo ends.
- If the calculator says a debt will never be paid off, its minimum payment is smaller than the interest it gains each month. Raise the payment or call the lender about a hardship plan.
- Results are estimates. Real lenders calculate interest daily and may change minimums as balances drop.
Want to track real payments as you make them? Our spreadsheet does the same snowball and avalanche math, then lets you log each payment and watch balances fall.
Frequently asked questions
Is the debt snowball or avalanche faster?
The avalanche usually pays off all debt in the same number of months or slightly fewer and costs less interest. The snowball pays off your first debt sooner. Use the calculator to compare both with your own numbers.
Does the calculator include new charges?
No. It assumes you stop adding new charges to the debts. If you keep using a card, the payoff date will move later.
Why does my minimum payment roll over?
Once a debt is gone, keeping your total monthly payment the same and sending the freed-up minimum to the next debt is what speeds the plan up. That's the core of both methods.
Is my data saved or sent anywhere?
No. All math runs in your browser. Nothing you type is stored or sent to us.
This calculator is general educational information, not financial advice. See our disclaimer.