Enter all your debts, add any extra monthly payment, and compare the avalanche vs snowball method side by side — see exactly when you'll be debt-free.
| Debt name | Balance | APR % | Min payment |
|---|
Enter each of your debts — name, current balance, APR, and minimum monthly payment. Then add any extra monthly amount you can put toward debt. The calculator runs both the avalanche and snowball strategies simultaneously and shows you the payoff order, debt-free date, and total interest for each method.
The avalanche method targets your highest interest rate debt first, regardless of balance. You make minimum payments on everything else and put every extra dollar at the most expensive debt. Once it's paid off, that freed-up payment rolls to the next highest-rate debt. The avalanche method always minimizes total interest paid.
The snowball method targets your smallest balance first, regardless of interest rate. The goal is quick wins — eliminating an entire debt gives a psychological boost that helps keep you motivated. Once a debt is paid off, that payment rolls to the next smallest balance. The snowball typically costs more in interest but has a higher completion rate for people who struggle with motivation.
Even a small extra payment makes a dramatic difference over time. An extra $100/month on a $20,000 debt mix can cut years off your payoff timeline and save thousands in interest. Use the extra payment field to see exactly how much a specific amount helps — you can adjust it in real time.
Both methods use a "debt roll" — when one debt is fully paid off, you don't reduce your monthly payments. Instead, you redirect that freed-up payment to the next target debt. This creates a snowballing effect where your payments toward each new target get larger and larger as you progress.