Debt Payoff Calculator — Avalanche vs Snowball
Compare the avalanche (highest rate first) and snowball (smallest balance first) debt payoff strategies. See how much interest you save and when you'll be debt-free.
Avalanche saves the most interest — $49 saved
Avalanche
Debt-free in 81 months
Total interest paid: $14,385
Snowball
Debt-free in 82 months
Total interest paid: $14,434
AI Insights
AI- 1Focus extra payments on "Credit Card" first — your highest-rate debt at 19.9% APR.
Remaining Balance Over Time
Your Debts
Debt nameBalanceAPR %Min. payment
$0
$0$1,000
Not financial advice. Estimates only. Consult a qualified adviser.
Avalanche vs Snowball: which is better?
- Avalanche (mathematically optimal) — pay minimums on all debts, put extra toward the highest APR debt first. Minimises total interest paid.
- Snowball (motivational) — pay minimums on all, put extra toward the smallest balance first. Faster early wins, but costs more interest overall.
For most people with similar-sized debts, the difference is small. If your highest-rate debt is also your smallest, both strategies are identical. The best strategy is the one you stick to.