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Debt snowball vs. avalanche calculator
List your credit cards and how much extra you can pay each month. The calculator runs both methods side by side so you can see the real difference in interest and time.
Debt snowball vs. avalanche calculator
Runs in your browser. Nothing is stored.This amount stays the same every month. When a debt is paid off, its minimum rolls into the next one.
- Avalanche: total interest
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- Avalanche: debt-free in
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- Snowball: total interest
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- Snowball: debt-free in
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The two methods
Both methods start the same way: you pay the minimum on every card, every month, and put all your extra money toward one target card. When that card is paid off, its minimum payment rolls into the next target. The only difference is the order.
| Debt avalanche | Debt snowball | |
|---|---|---|
| Target first | Highest APR | Smallest balance |
| Strength | Pays the least interest | Quick early wins that keep you motivated |
| Weakness | The first payoff can take a long time | Usually costs more interest |
How this calculator works
Each month it adds one-twelfth of each card's APR to its balance, pays every minimum, then sends whatever is left of your total budget to the target card:
monthly budget = sum of all minimums + extra paymentinterest = balance × (APR ÷ 12)The budget stays fixed, so freed-up minimums roll into the next card automatically. It assumes no new purchases and constant APRs.
A worked example
Three cards and $200 extra a month on top of the minimums ($454 a month in total):
| Card | Balance | APR | Minimum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Store card | $1,200 | 18% | $35 |
| Rewards card | $4,500 | 27% | $135 |
| Old card | $2,800 | 22% | $84 |
- Avalanche clears the rewards card first (month 17), then the old card (month 22), then the store card. Debt-free in 24 months with about $2,150 in interest.
- Snowball clears the store card in month 6 and the old card in month 15. Debt-free in 25 months with about $2,430 in interest.
- Paying only the minimums at the same rates would take about 57 months and cost close to $5,900 in interest.
Here the avalanche saves roughly $290 and one month. The extra $200 matters far more than the order: it cuts the interest bill by more than half either way.
Which should you choose?
If you'll stick with it, the avalanche is the cheaper choice. If you've tried before and lost steam, the snowball's early wins can be worth the extra cost. When the difference in your calculation is small, pick the one you're most likely to finish.
A balance transfer can lower the cost of either plan. Check it with the balance transfer calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the debt snowball and debt avalanche?
Both pay minimums on every debt and send extra money to one target. The avalanche targets the highest APR first; the snowball targets the smallest balance first.
Which method saves more money?
The avalanche almost always pays less interest, because the most expensive debt shrinks first. The size of the difference depends on how far apart your APRs are.
Is the snowball method a mistake?
Not necessarily. It usually costs somewhat more, but paying off a card early can keep you motivated. A plan you finish beats a cheaper plan you abandon.