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Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator
Enter up to three debts and any extra amount you can pay each month. You get the payoff time and interest for both methods, side by side.
| Method | Order of attack | Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Snowball | Debt 2, then Debt 1, then Debt 3 | $4,890.68 |
| Avalanche | Debt 1, then Debt 2, then Debt 3 | $4,559.60 |
Example
Paying $740 a month in total, the snowball method clears these debts in 3 years 2 months with $4,890.68 of interest. The avalanche method takes 3 years 2 months and costs $4,559.60, a saving of $331.08.
How the debt snowball vs avalanche calculator works
Both methods pay the minimum on every debt and put all remaining money towards one debt at a time. When that debt is cleared, its whole payment rolls on to the next one.
The snowball method targets the smallest balance first. The avalanche method targets the highest interest rate first. The total paid each month is the same in both and stays the same until every debt is gone.
The avalanche never costs more interest. The snowball clears individual debts sooner, which many people find keeps them going.
Common questions
Which method is better?
The avalanche is cheaper on paper. The snowball gives earlier wins. If the interest difference shown above is small, pick the one you are more likely to stick with.
What if I have more than three debts?
Combine debts with similar interest rates into one line by adding their balances and minimum payments. The result will be close.
Should I keep paying the same amount after a debt is cleared?
Yes. That is the core of both methods. If you reduce your total payment each time a debt disappears, the remaining debts take much longer.