Debt Payoff Calculator: Snowball vs. Avalanche

Snowball or avalanche?

Both methods pay every minimum, then send everything extra to one debt at a time. Snowball attacks the smallest balance first, so you clear whole accounts sooner — which many people find easier to keep going. Avalanche attacks the highest interest rate first, which never costs more in total interest and usually costs less. Run both above; the difference in interest is shown, and it is often smaller than people expect.

What this projection assumes

• Fixed rates. A variable-rate card that rises will take longer than shown.
• No new charges. Every projection assumes the balances only go down.
• Every payment on time. Late fees and penalty rates are not modelled.
• Minimums stay fixed. Some lenders lower the minimum as the balance falls; paying the original amount is the assumption here, and it is the faster path.

Because of those assumptions, the date and the interest total are a projection — a good one, not a promise. Nothing you type on this page leaves your browser.

Frequently asked questions

Which method pays less interest?

Avalanche, always — or the same, never more. It targets the most expensive balance first. Snowball can cost a little more in interest but clears whole accounts faster, which is why some people stick with it longer.

What if my payments do not cover the interest?

The calculator will tell you rather than show an impossible date. If the monthly interest across your debts is larger than everything you can pay, the balances rise, and the first move is raising the extra payment or lowering a rate.