Enter your real balances, interest rates and minimum payments. The calculator runs the avalanche method (highest APR first) and the snowball method (smallest balance first) side by side, so you can see the actual months and interest each one costs you - not a generic rule of thumb.
Debt name
Balance ($)
APR (%)
Min payment ($)
Avalanche (highest APR first)
Debt-free in 3y 6m
Total interest paid: $2829
Snowball (smallest balance first)
Debt-free in 3y 6m
Total interest paid: $2829
This calculator runs entirely in your browser: nothing you type is sent anywhere. It uses standard amortization math (monthly interest accrual, minimums paid first, extra payment applied to the priority debt) and is an estimate for planning, not financial advice.
How the two methods differ
Avalanche pays extra money toward whichever debt has the highest interest rate, which minimizes total interest paid over time. Snowball pays extra toward the smallest balance first, which clears individual debts faster and can keep motivation higher even if it costs a bit more in interest. Neither is wrong; they optimize for different things.
What the numbers assume
Interest accrues monthly on the remaining balance at the APR you enter.
Minimum payments are made on every debt first, then any extra payment goes to the priority debt.
Once a debt reaches zero, its minimum payment is freed up for the next priority debt.