Calculator · same budget, different target
Snowball or avalanche? Same debt, two orders.
Enter up to six debts and what you can pay each month. See which order finishes first, which costs less, and when you get your first win.
Monthly budget: $200.00 minimums + $50.00 extra = $250.00
Avalanche saves in interest
$467
$8,000 total debt · $250.00 a month · APR ÷ 12 monthly
Snowball
smallest balance first
4 yrs 4 mo
$4,789 interest
first win: month 21
Card A → Card B → Card C
Avalanche
highest APR first
4 yrs 2 mo
$4,322 interest
first win: month 28
Card B → Card C → Card A
- Snowball debt-free
- month 52
- Avalanche debt-free
- month 50
Monthly APR ÷ 12 · card issuers compute daily · not financial advice
How the math works
Every step, on screen.
Same method as the examples on @nodpost. Change any input and the numbers redo themselves.
- 01
Interest first
Each month, every balance grows by balance × APR ÷ 12.
- 02
Pay every minimum
All minimums are paid, so no account falls behind.
- 03
Extra to the target
Snowball targets the smallest balance; avalanche the highest APR. Everything left in the budget goes there.
- 04
Roll it forward
When a debt hits $0, its payment joins the next target. The monthly total never drops until you're done.
FAQ
Short answers.
Is the debt avalanche always cheaper?
When APRs differ, paying the highest rate first costs less interest. In the $8,000 example it saves $467 and finishes two months sooner.
Why do people choose the snowball?
It pays off the first debt sooner (month 21 vs month 28 in the example). That early win keeps many people going.
Why might my real numbers differ?
Card issuers compute interest daily and minimums often fall as balances drop. This calculator uses monthly interest and fixed minimums, like the examples on @nodpost.
Read the full example
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Educational content, not financial, tax or legal advice. Results are estimates from the inputs you enter and simplified methods shown on this page; your lender, card issuer, employer or tax return may calculate differently. Read the full disclaimer.