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Debt Payoff Calculator

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List your debts and compare two payoff strategies: snowball (smallest balance first) and avalanche (highest rate first).

Snowball (smallest balance first)

Months to debt-free24
Total interest paid$1,801

Avalanche (highest rate first)

Months to debt-free23
Total interest paid$1,547
Avalanche saves$254

Snowball or avalanche — which should you pick?

Both methods pay every minimum every month and throw all spare money at one target debt. The avalanche targets the highest interest rate, which is always the mathematically cheapest route. The snowball targets the smallest balance, which clears individual debts sooner and gives you visible wins early.

If the interest saved by the avalanche is small, the snowball is often the better real-world choice, because the motivation of closing an account keeps people going. If the gap is large, follow the avalanche. Either way the biggest lever is the extra monthly payment: every additional unit goes straight against principal.