Free Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator
Enter your debts and compare the snowball method (smallest balance first) against the avalanche method (highest interest first). See exactly how much interest each strategy costs and how long it takes.
Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator
Mr B says: Avalanche saves the most money. Snowball keeps you motivated with faster wins. Neither works unless you actually start — pick the one you'll stick with.$
Comparison results
❄️ Snowball
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🏔️ Avalanche
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Interest saved (avalanche vs snowball)—
⚠️ This tool is for general guidance only and is not financial advice.
Common questions
Debt payoff strategy questions
The snowball method involves paying minimum payments on all debts and putting any extra money toward the smallest balance first. Once that debt is cleared, you roll that payment amount onto the next smallest debt. The appeal is psychological — clearing debts quickly provides motivation to keep going.
The avalanche method pays minimum payments on all debts and targets the highest interest rate debt first. This mathematically minimises the total interest paid over time. It may take longer to clear the first debt, but the total cost is lower than the snowball method in most scenarios.
The avalanche method saves more money. The snowball method helps more people actually finish the process. Research suggests that for people who struggle with motivation, snowball's early wins produce better real-world outcomes despite higher interest costs. The best method is the one you actually complete.
If you want to minimise total cost, target the highest interest rate first (avalanche). If you need motivational momentum, target the smallest balance first (snowball). In either case, never miss a minimum payment — that triggers fees and damages your credit rating. Apply all extra funds to your target debt.