Debt snowball vs. avalanche calculator
Enter your debts to see when you will be debt-free with the snowball and avalanche methods, how much interest each costs, and the order your debts are cleared.
Free, no account needed. Everything is calculated in your browser and saved there, so your numbers are still here when you come back, even after you sign up. Nothing you type is sent to us.
Leave a row blank if you don't need it.
At these payments the interest outpaces what you pay, so these debts would never be paid off. Try a larger extra payment.
Snowball (smallest balance first)
Never paid off at these payments.
Debt-free in
Interest paid:
- : month
Avalanche (highest rate first)
Never paid off at these payments.
Debt-free in
Interest paid:
- : month
The avalanche method saves in interest. The snowball method clears your first debt sooner, which some people find keeps them motivated.
Both methods cost the same here, so pick whichever order keeps you going.
How it works
Every month, interest is added to each debt (its APR divided by 12), then you pay the minimum on every debt. Whatever is left of your total monthly payment goes to one priority debt:
- Snowball: the smallest balance first. You clear debts sooner, which can help you stay motivated.
- Avalanche: the highest interest rate first. This usually costs the least interest.
Your total monthly payment stays the same throughout, so when a debt is paid off its minimum payment rolls onto the next one. Interest is calculated monthly and rounded to the cent, so real statements may differ slightly. Variable rates, fees and new charges are not included.
Example
A credit card with $5,000 at 24.99% APR (minimum $150) and a store card with $1,200 at 18.99% (minimum $40), with $200 a month extra, so $390 a month in total:
- Snowball: the store card is gone in month 6 and everything is paid off in 20 months, with $1,381.46 in interest.
- Avalanche: the credit card is gone in month 18 and everything is paid off in 20 months, with $1,291.58 in interest, saving $89.88.
Track it for real
To Budget Simply is a free budgeting app: track income and expenses, set category budgets and watch your goals fill up.
Create a free accountYou'll come straight back to this calculator with your numbers after you sign up.
Related guides
Other free calculators
These results are estimates for planning, not financial advice.