Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator
Compare the two main debt payoff methods on your own debts. See which is faster and which saves more interest.
The avalanche pays the highest rate first. The snowball pays the smallest balance first.
Avalanche saves the most money. Snowball gives quick wins that keep people going.
This calculator shows the real gap.
How it works
Every debt gets its minimum each month. The extra, plus the minimums of any debts already cleared, goes to the target debt.
The calculator runs both orders and reports months and interest for each.
The formula
Avalanche order = highest APR first, Snowball order = smallest balance first.
Tips
- If the two methods are within a few hundred dollars, pick the one you will stick with.
- Leave unused debt rows at zero.
Frequently asked questions
Which method is faster?
Usually avalanche, but often by only a month or two. The interest saving is where it wins.
This is not financial advice. Nothing on this site is investment, tax, legal or financial advice of any kind.
The calculators give simplified estimates from the numbers you enter. They ignore taxes, fees, rate changes and real market returns, and they can be wrong.
Do not make financial decisions based on these results. Speak to a licensed financial adviser, accountant or lender before acting, and read the full disclaimer.