Debt payoff calculator: snowball vs. avalanche

List your debts and see when you'll be debt-free with each strategy — and how much interest an extra monthly payment saves.

Free, no sign-up

Before you use it

Works well for

  • Choosing which debt to pay first
  • Seeing when you'll be debt-free
  • Measuring how much an extra payment saves

Not the right tool for

  • Debts with variable rates or fees that change
  • Negotiated settlements and discounts — ask your lender

The two strategies

Avalanche: pay the minimum on everything and throw every extra dollar at the debt with the highest interest rate. Mathematically it always costs the least.

Snowball: attack the smallest balance first. You pay a bit more interest, but you close accounts sooner, and those early wins keep many people motivated.

In both, when a debt is paid off, its minimum payment rolls into the next one — that's what makes the payoff speed up over time.

How to use it

  1. Enter each debt's balance, interest rate (APR) and minimum payment.
  2. Add what you can pay on top of the minimums each month.
  3. Compare the two columns and pick the plan you'll actually stick to.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better?

Avalanche saves the most money. Snowball can be better if quick wins help you stay consistent. The difference is often small — consistency matters more.

Is my data saved?

Your list is kept only in this browser so you can come back to it.

Should I include my mortgage?

Usually not — it has a low rate and a long term. Focus on high-interest consumer debt first.