Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Timeline Calculator
Not sure whether to pay off your highest-interest debt first (avalanche) or your smallest balance first (snowball)? This calculator runs a real month-by-month simulation across up to three debts and shows you total interest paid and payoff time for each method.
About this calculator
Compare full month-by-month payoff timelines and total interest paid between the debt avalanche and debt snowball methods across multiple loans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between avalanche and snowball methods?
The avalanche method pays extra toward the highest interest rate debt first, minimizing total interest paid. The snowball method pays extra toward the smallest balance first, prioritizing quick psychological wins.
Which method is mathematically better?
The avalanche method almost always results in less total interest paid and often a slightly faster payoff, since it eliminates high-cost debt first.
Why might someone choose snowball anyway?
Snowball can provide motivation through early wins by eliminating smaller balances quickly, which helps some people stay consistent with their payoff plan.