Snowball vs avalanche calculator

How this comparison works

Both methods assume you pay every minimum on time and send one extra payment each month to a single target debt. When that balance hits zero, its minimum rolls into the extra amount for the next debt. The calculator simulates month by month until all balances are gone or until a payment fails to cover monthly interest.

Snowball sorts debts by balance ascending. Avalanche sorts by APR descending. The total cash out of pocket is the same each month — only the order of targets changes. That is why the difference shows up in total interest and how long you wait for the first account to close.

Monthly interest on one debt ≈ balance × (APR ÷ 12)
Extra payment applies to the target debt after minimums are paid on all accounts

How to read your results

Months to debt-free tells you when the last balance reaches zero if nothing changes. Total interest is the sum of interest charges across the whole run — use it to compare methods, not as a quote from any lender.

First payoff shows which account closes first under each method. If either method shows never pays off, at least one minimum payment does not exceed that account's monthly interest. Fix that payment before choosing an order — see the minimum payments guide.

Interest saved (avalanche vs snowball) is zero when both orders behave the same or when one path never completes. A positive number means avalanche cost less interest with your inputs.

1. Use avalanche when your priority is lowest total interest and you can wait for the first win.
2. Use snowball when quick closures keep you motivated and the interest gap is small in your scenario.
3. Re-run the URL whenever you pay off a debt, get a rate change, or adjust your extra payment.

When to use each strategy

Choose snowball if you have struggled to stick with payoff plans and need an early closed account — even if avalanche saves a modest amount of interest. Choose avalanche if you trust yourself to stay the course while a high-APR balance stays open longer.

If you are preparing for a mortgage, the method matters less than the total extra payment and the date the last required payment disappears from your budget. Pair this tool with the DTI calculator after each paid-off account.

Worked example with your current inputs

With your extra payment of $200 on 3 debts, avalanche reaches debt-free in 3y 2m with $5,833 total interest.

Snowball finishes in 3y 3m with $6,219 total interest.

Interest difference (snowball minus avalanche): $387. First account closed under snowball: Card A; under avalanche: Card A.

Comparison

Share without entered debt names

This separate link uses Debt 1, Debt 2 and the other original slot labels instead of entered debt names. Balances, APRs, minimum payments and other validated settings stay in the URL. The current page keeps its entered names.

Link with slot labels instead of entered debt names:https://mydebtfreetools.com/tools/debt-snowball-vs-avalanche?d1_name=Debt+1&d1_balance=4200&d1_apr=24.99&d1_min=105&d2_name=Debt+2&d2_balance=8800&d2_apr=19.99&d2_min=220&d3_name=Debt+3&d3_balance=6500&d3_apr=11.5&d3_min=145&extra=200