US Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator
Compare smallest-balance-first and highest-APR-first repayment on the same debt portfolio. Both strategies keep the same total monthly budget and roll freed payments forward.
Rule year: 2026 · USD · Sources checked
Snowball payoff time
Up to four debts, fixed APRs and fixed dollar minimums; no new borrowing, penalties, promotional resets, daily interest or percentage-based minimum recalculation. Ties use balance and then input order. If the budget cannot clear all debts within 600 months, an understandable limit is shown instead of an invented payoff date.
Strategy balance milestones
Constant monthly APR/12 interest, entered fixed minimums, no new spending or fees. Unused minimum payments roll into the same fixed budget; early final-month surplus is applied to the next debt.
| Strategy / month | Remaining balance | Cumulative interest |
|---|---|---|
| Snowball / 12 | $0.00 | $36.19 |
| Avalanche / 12 | $0.00 | $34.55 |
For informational purposes only. This estimate is not financial advice, a tax return, a payroll calculation or a lender decision. See the supported circumstances and exclusions below.
How this calculator works
Each month first adds APR/12 interest, then pays each active debt its entered fixed minimum, capped at the amount owed. Remaining budget targets the smallest balance for snowball or the highest APR for avalanche. When a debt closes, its former minimum remains in the total budget and becomes available to the remaining debts. The result compares interest and completion order rather than declaring a universally best strategy.
Formula and rules
Monthly budget = original active minimums + extra. Balance after interest = balance × (1 + APR/1200). Allocate minimums, then remaining budget by the selected strategy; repeat until payoff.
Assumptions and limitations
Up to four debts, fixed APRs and fixed dollar minimums; no new borrowing, penalties, promotional resets, daily interest or percentage-based minimum recalculation. Ties use balance and then input order. If the budget cannot clear all debts within 600 months, an understandable limit is shown instead of an invented payoff date.
Worked example
With $100 and $200 debts at 0% APR, $10 minimums each and $10 extra, the fixed budget is $30/month. Both methods finish in ten months with no interest; the smaller debt closes first.
- Snowball payoff time
- 10 months
- Avalanche payoff time
- 10 months
- Snowball total interest
- $0.00
- Avalanche total interest
- $0.00
Official sources and review
Reviewed against the sources below on 2026-10-07. Rates are held in versioned rule modules. Versioned rules, official source review and year-specific calculation tests.
- CFPB: debt reduction strategies ↗
Highest-rate versus smallest-balance prioritization; keep minimum payments and direct extra funds.
Common questions
What happens to a paid-off debt’s minimum?
It stays in the total monthly budget and is rolled into the next debt. The budget does not shrink as accounts close.
Does avalanche always give the better personal outcome?
The tool compares this deterministic interest model. Motivation, liquidity, changing rates and real contract terms are outside its arithmetic.
Can I enter a changing card minimum?
Enter a fixed dollar scenario. Real card minimums may change with balance and fees, so update the inputs as your plan evolves.