Debt Snowball / Avalanche Calculator

Enter all your debts and an extra monthly payment. Compare Snowball (smallest first) vs Avalanche (highest rate first) — see which pays off faster and cheaper.

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Enter Your Debts

Debt NameBalanceMonthly Min. PaymentAnnual Rate (%)
☃ Snowball Method
Smallest balance first
🏄 Avalanche Method
Highest rate first

Snowball Payoff Order

PriorityDebtBalanceRateEst. Payoff
The Avalanche method saves the most money mathematically. The Snowball method provides quicker wins (paying off small debts first), which many people find more motivating. Choose the one you're most likely to stick with.

Frequently Asked Questions

Snowball vs Avalanche — which is better?
Mathematically, Avalanche saves more money (you pay less total interest). Psychologically, Snowball is more motivating because you get quick wins from eliminating small debts. Research shows many people who start with Snowball stay more committed. If you have one very high-interest debt (like a digital loan at 120% APR), pay that off first regardless of balance.
How much extra should I put toward debt payoff?
Even small extra amounts help enormously. An extra 10-20% above minimum payments can cut payoff time by 30-50%. Prioritize debt payoff over investing when your debt interest rate exceeds your expected investment return. High-rate debt (digital loans, informal lenders) should be paid as fast as possible.
Should I consolidate debt or use snowball/avalanche?
If you can consolidate all debts into one lower-rate loan, do that first — then use snowball/avalanche on the consolidated loan. Use our Loan Consolidation Calculator to check if consolidation makes sense for your debts.