Debt Avalanche / Snowball Calculator
Compare the debt avalanche and snowball methods. Enter your debts and budget to see months to debt-free and total interest paid. Free payoff calculator with steps.
Updated 2026-06-14 · Free · No sign-up · Runs privately in your browser
| Debt | Balance ($) | APR (%) | Min payment ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |||
| 2 | |||
| 3 |
Show the formula & steps
How the Debt Payoff Calculator Works
This calculator compares the two most popular payoff strategies, the debt avalanche and the debt snowball, across up to three debts. Enter each debt’s balance, APR, and minimum payment, set your total monthly payment, choose a strategy, and it returns how many months until you are debt-free, the total interest paid, and the total paid.
Both methods make every minimum payment and then funnel any spare cash toward one priority debt. The avalanche targets the highest interest rate; the snowball targets the smallest balance.
The Formula
Each month, every balance grows by its monthly interest:
Monthly interest = balance × (APR ÷ 12)
Then minimum payments are subtracted from each debt. Whatever is left of your budget is applied to the target debt:
Avalanche target = debt with the highest APR Snowball target = debt with the lowest balance
When a debt reaches zero, its freed-up payment rolls onto the next target. This rollover effect is what makes both methods accelerate over time. The calculator repeats this month by month until all balances are zero.
Worked Example
Three debts and a $500 monthly budget:
| Debt | Balance | APR | Min payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Credit card | $5,000 | 22% | $120 |
| Personal loan | $2,000 | 14% | $50 |
| Car loan | $8,000 | 6% | $160 |
The minimums total $330, leaving $170 of extra each month.
- Avalanche (attack 22% card first): about 35 months, roughly $2,471 total interest.
- Snowball (attack $2,000 loan first): about 36 months, roughly $2,719 total interest.
In this example the avalanche saves about $248 in interest and finishes a month sooner, while the snowball clears one whole account faster for an early motivational win.
Avalanche vs Snowball at a Glance
| Feature | Avalanche | Snowball |
|---|---|---|
| Target order | Highest APR first | Lowest balance first |
| Total interest | Lowest | Slightly higher |
| Speed | Usually fastest | Slightly slower |
| Best for | Saving the most money | Staying motivated |
Tips to Pay Off Debt Faster
- Increase the extra payment even a little; more above the minimums dramatically shortens payoff.
- Avoid new debt while paying down, so balances actually fall.
- Keep the rollover going by maintaining your total payment as accounts clear, rather than spending the freed cash.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the debt avalanche and snowball methods?+
The avalanche method puts every extra dollar toward the debt with the highest interest rate first, which minimizes total interest. The snowball method targets the smallest balance first for quick wins and motivation. Both pay minimums on all debts; only the extra payment is directed differently.
Which is better, avalanche or snowball?+
The avalanche method almost always costs less interest and clears debt slightly faster, because it attacks the most expensive debt first. The snowball method can keep you motivated by eliminating accounts quickly. The avalanche is mathematically optimal; choose snowball if motivation matters more to you.
How does the calculator find the payoff time?+
It simulates month by month. Each month every balance grows by its monthly interest (APR ÷ 12), minimum payments are made on all debts, and any money left in your budget is sent to the priority debt. When a debt is cleared, its payment rolls onto the next target until everything is paid off.
What is the rollover or snowball effect?+
Once a debt is paid off, the money you were paying on it is added to the payment on the next target debt. This rolling payment grows over time, accelerating payoff. Both the avalanche and snowball methods use this rollover; they differ only in which debt is the target.
What monthly payment should I enter?+
Enter the total amount you can put toward all your debts each month. It must be at least the sum of all minimum payments, or the debt never shrinks. Any amount above that sum is the extra payment that drives the avalanche or snowball strategy.