Debt Payoff Planner
Compare snowball vs avalanche side by side with interest saved and payoff months. Transparent math for up to 4 debts — no signup, runs in your browser.
Added May 12, 2026 · Updated Aug 12, 2026
Input
Result
Enter a value for extra monthly payment (beyond all minimums) to see your result.
How it works
Compares the snowball method (pay lowest balance first) and the avalanche method (pay highest APR first) for paying off multiple debts. Shows total interest, months to payoff, and debt-free date for both strategies so you can choose the best plan.
Step by step
- 01Enter your balance, APR, and minimum payment for each debt (up to 4 debts). Leave balance at 0 to skip a slot.
- 02Enter any extra monthly amount you can put toward debt beyond all minimums.
- 03Snowball: each month, after paying minimums on all debts, the extra payment goes to the lowest-balance debt until it is gone, then rolls to the next.
- 04Avalanche: same process but extra payment targets the highest-APR debt first — mathematically optimal for minimizing total interest.
- 05When a debt is paid off, its minimum frees up and is added to the payment for the next target debt, accelerating payoff.
Examples
Two debts: $3,500 at 22.99% + $8,000 at 18.99% · $100 extra
Avalanche targets the 22.99% debt first, saving more in interest. Snowball also targets debt 1 first because it has the lower balance — both strategies happen to agree when the smaller debt also has the higher rate.
Inputs
- Extra monthly payment (beyond all minimums):
- 100
- Debt 1 — Balance:
- 3500
- APR:
- 22.99
- Minimum payment:
- 75
- Debt 2 — Balance:
- 8000
- APR:
- 18.99
- Minimum payment:
- 150
- Debt 3 — Balance (0 to skip):
- 0
- APR:
- 14.99
- Minimum payment:
- 0
- Debt 4 — Balance (0 to skip):
- 0
- APR:
- 9.99
- Minimum payment:
- 0
Result
Frequently asked questions
What is the debt snowball method?
In the snowball method, you pay the minimum on all debts and direct any extra money at the debt with the lowest balance first. Once that debt is gone, you roll its payment into the next smallest balance. The 'snowball' grows as each debt is eliminated, accelerating payoff. It's motivating because you eliminate debts faster.
What is the debt avalanche method?
The avalanche method targets the highest-APR debt first. You pay minimums on everything else and throw all extra money at the most expensive debt. This is the mathematically optimal strategy — it minimizes total interest paid over the payoff period.
Which method is better — snowball or avalanche?
Avalanche wins mathematically (less total interest). Snowball wins psychologically for some people because quick wins from paying off small balances build momentum. If your highest-rate debt also has the smallest balance, both strategies are identical. Choose the method you're most likely to stick with.
What if all my debts have the same APR?
When APRs are equal, avalanche and snowball pay the same total interest. The only difference is the order debts are targeted — snowball starts with the lowest balance while avalanche starts with the highest rate (which in this case could be any debt). The total payoff time and interest will be the same.
Does the extra payment amount make a big difference?
Yes — significantly. Even an extra $50/month on a typical debt load can cut months off your payoff timeline and save hundreds or thousands in interest. The debt-elimination effect accelerates because freed minimums from paid-off debts compound over time.
Should I build an emergency fund before aggressively paying off debt?
Most financial planners recommend a small emergency fund ($1,000–$2,000) before attacking high-interest debt aggressively, so an unexpected expense doesn't force you back into debt. Once you have a basic buffer, throwing extra money at high-APR debt usually beats keeping it in savings.