Debt Snowball & Avalanche Calculator

Compare the snowball and avalanche debt payoff strategies for up to 10 debts side-by-side.

Your Debts

NameBalance ($)Rate (%)Min. Payment ($)

Extra Monthly Payment ($)

Snowball Payoff

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Snowball: pay off smallest balance first for quick wins and motivation.

Avalanche Payoff

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Avalanche: pay off highest-rate debt first to minimize total interest.

Snowball vs. Avalanche: Which Is Right for You?

Both strategies apply any extra monthly payment to one target debt while paying minimums on the rest. They differ only in which debt gets targeted first.

Example Scenarios

Debt Snowball — motivation through quick wins

Sort debts smallest to largest balance. Knock out the smallest first. Each payoff frees up cash for the next — a psychological 'snowball' that builds momentum and keeps you motivated.

Debt Avalanche — mathematically optimal

Sort debts highest to lowest interest rate. Targeting the costliest debt first minimizes the total interest you pay over time, making it the financially superior strategy if you can stay disciplined.

Methodology & Assumptions

Calculations assume fixed minimum payments and interest rates. Extra payment is applied in full to the target debt each month. Once a debt is paid off, its minimum payment is rolled into the next target.