Debt Payoff Calculator
Compare the avalanche (pay highest interest first) and snowball (pay smallest balance first) methods to find your optimal path to debt freedom.
Debt Payoff Calculator
Compare avalanche vs. snowball strategies to crush your debt faster.
Your avalanche plan summary
Total Debt
$20,000
Debt-free In
6y 6m
Interest Cost
$4,729
Avalanche Method: Maximum Savings
The debt avalanche focuses on the highest-interest debt first. Mathematically, this saves you the most money in interest payments. Once you pay off the highest-rate debt, you roll that payment into the next highest, creating an accelerating "avalanche" effect.
Snowball Method: Maximum Motivation
The debt snowball targets the smallest balance first, giving you quick wins and psychological momentum. You feel progress faster, which can help you stay on track. Research shows the snowball method leads to more people actually completing their debt payoff journey.
Which Should You Choose?
If you're motivated by numbers, use avalanche. If you need early wins to stay motivated, use snowball. Either method beats making only minimum payments — the key is to actually stick with it.