Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator

The avalanche method (paying the highest-interest debt first) always costs the same or less in total interest and is mathematically the fastest, cheapest route to debt-free. The snowball method (paying the smallest balance first) usually costs a little more but clears individual debts sooner, giving motivating early wins that help many people stick with the plan. If your highest-interest debt is also large, avalanche can save a meaningful amount; if the interest difference is small, snowball's momentum often wins. This calculator runs both on your actual debts.

You pay the minimum on every debt, then throw all your spare money at the debt with the smallest balance, regardless of interest rate. When that debt clears, its freed-up payment rolls onto the next-smallest — the 'snowball' grows as each debt falls. The appeal is psychological: clearing whole debts quickly builds momentum and keeps you motivated.

You pay the minimum on every debt, then direct all spare money at the debt with the highest interest rate. When it clears, the freed-up payment rolls onto the next-highest rate. Because you kill your most expensive debt first, you pay the least total interest and become debt-free fastest — it's the optimal method purely on the maths.

Yes. When a debt is cleared, its minimum payment rolls into the money available for the next target debt — the 'rollover' that accelerates both methods over time. The calculator simulates this month by month for both strategies, so the debt-free date and total interest reflect how payoff actually compounds.