Calculator
Avalanche vs snowball.
The sample debts are made up. Swap in yours, then slide the extra payment and watch both finish lines move.
Avalanche
Highest rate first
2 yr 9 moInterest: $2,443
- 1. Medical bill
- 2. Credit card
- 3. Car loan
- 4. Student loan
Snowball
Smallest balance first
3 yrInterest: $3,556
- 1. Medical bill
- 2. Student loan
- 3. Car loan
- 4. Credit card
Drag the line or use the slider.
Avalanche saves $1,113 in interest and finishes 3 mo sooner. Snowball goes after the small balances first, which feels faster even when it costs more.
Minimums only would take 3 yr 10 mo and cost $4,271 in interest. Your extra $100 a month cuts 1 yr 1 mo off.
Assumes fixed rates, no new charges, and that each paid-off debt's payment rolls into the next one. Lenders figure interest daily, so expect small differences.
Same payment, different target
Both methods pay the same total each month. The only difference is which debt gets the extra. Avalanche follows the math. Snowball follows motivation.
The trick both share
When a debt hits zero, don't pocket its payment. Roll it into the next debt. Your monthly total stays the same, but more of it lands on one balance. That's why the line on the chart gets steeper near the end.
Before you start
- Keep every minimum paid on time. A late fee wipes out a month of progress.
- A small emergency buffer keeps a surprise bill from going back on the card.
- If the payments here never catch the interest, a nonprofit credit counselor is worth a call.
FAQ
Debt payoff, quick answers
What is the debt avalanche method?
You pay the minimum on every debt, then put all extra money toward the debt with the highest interest rate. When it's gone, you move to the next highest. It costs the least interest overall.
What is the debt snowball method?
You pay the minimum on every debt, then put all extra money toward the smallest balance. When it's gone, you roll that payment into the next smallest. You get a paid-off debt sooner, and that win keeps you going.
Which one is better, avalanche or snowball?
Avalanche never costs more interest than snowball. When your smallest debt isn't your highest rate, it costs less. Snowball gives quicker wins. The difference in dollars depends on your debts, which is why this calculator shows both. The plan you'll actually stick with matters more than the method.
Where do I find my APR and minimum payment?
On your statement or in your lender's app. APR is the yearly interest rate. The minimum payment is the smallest amount you can pay that month without a late fee.
Are my debts saved anywhere?
Only in your own browser so they're here when you come back. Nothing you enter is sent to me or to a server.
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