Two proven ways to pay off debt faster: the snowball (clear the smallest
balance first for quick wins) and the avalanche (attack the highest interest rate first
to save the most money). Enter your debts below to see which gets you debt-free sooner — and what each
costs in interest. Everything runs in your browser; we never see or store your numbers.
Your debts
Enter each debt's balance, interest rate (APR), and minimum monthly payment. Leave rows blank if you have fewer. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Debt (optional)BalanceAPR %Min. payment
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❄️ Snowball (smallest balance first)
Debt-free in
Total interest paid
🏔️ Avalanche (highest APR first)
Debt-free in
Total interest paid
Illustrative estimate only — not financial advice or an offer. Assumes
fixed balances, rates, and payments with no new charges. Real payoff depends on your actual rates,
fees, and spending. Snowball can keep you motivated by clearing debts faster; avalanche usually costs
the least interest. Both beat paying minimums alone.
Which method should you choose?
Mathematically, the avalanche method almost always wins — by paying off your
highest-APR debt first, you cut the interest that compounds fastest, so you usually pay less overall and
finish at least as quickly. The snowball method ignores rates and targets your smallest
balance first. It can cost a little more interest, but knocking out a whole debt early gives a
motivation boost that helps many people actually stick with the plan.
The honest answer: the best method is the one you'll follow. If you're disciplined and want to
minimize cost, choose avalanche. If you've struggled to stay motivated, the early win from snowball may
be worth a small premium. Either way, the calculator shows that the extra monthly payment —
not the ordering — does most of the heavy lifting.
When extra payments aren't enough
If the tool shows your balances barely moving, the minimums may be nearly equal to the interest
accruing each month — a sign the debt is too large to outrun on your own. That's the point where a
consolidation loan (one lower fixed rate), a nonprofit
debt management plan, or
debt settlement may be worth comparing. None is free of
trade-offs, and we explain each one plainly before you decide.
Frequently asked questions
Which method saves more money, snowball or avalanche?
The avalanche method (highest interest rate first) almost always costs the least in total interest and usually finishes at least as fast, because it starves the debt that compounds quickest. The snowball method (smallest balance first) can cost slightly more interest but clears whole debts sooner — an early win that helps many people stay with the plan.
Does this calculator assume I stop using my credit cards?
Yes. It assumes you make at least the minimum payment on every debt plus your chosen extra amount, and that you stop adding new charges. If you keep borrowing, real payoff will take longer than the estimate shows.
How much should my extra payment be?
Any amount above your combined minimums shortens the timeline — even $50 to $100 a month can take months off and save meaningful interest. The calculator lets you test different extra amounts so you can see the trade-off before you commit.
What if I can't even cover the minimum payments?
Then a faster payoff order won't fix the problem on its own. That is a signal to compare a lower-rate consolidation loan, a nonprofit debt management plan, or debt settlement — each has trade-offs, and none is guaranteed to work for everyone, so weigh them before choosing.
If self-payoff isn't moving the needle
See whether you qualify for a structured program — a free, no-obligation estimate on the provider's own site.
Unsecured debt ≥ $7,500 · not available in CT/OR/VT/WV/WI