Avalanche vs. snowball — which saves more money?

Avalanche (highest interest rate first) almost always saves more total interest, since it eliminates the most expensive debt fastest. Snowball (smallest balance first) usually takes slightly longer and costs a bit more, but it clears individual debts faster, which many people find more motivating to stick with.

How does the extra monthly payment get applied?

Every debt's minimum payment is paid first. Any extra payment, plus the minimum payments freed up from debts you've already paid off, goes entirely toward the one target debt at the top of your chosen strategy's order.

Why does my payoff order matter?

Only one debt gets the extra payment at a time — the others just get their minimums. The order determines which debt that focus money goes to first, which is what the avalanche/snowball choice actually controls.

Is my financial information sent anywhere?

No. Every calculation runs locally in your browser with JavaScript — nothing about your debts or balances is transmitted or stored.

DEBT PAYOFF CALCULATOR

Compare avalanche vs. snowball across every debt and find your debt-free date. Nothing leaves your browser.

DebtBalanceAPR %Min payment

Extra monthly payment

Debt-free in70 mo(5.8 years)

Total interest paid4,910.59

Total paid39,410.59

Without the extra payment, you'd be debt-free in 111 months and pay 7,784.97 in interest — the extra payment saves 2,874.38 and 41 months.

Payoff order

1Credit Card
2Car Loan
3Student Loan

How to use the debt payoff calculator

1
Add each debt with its balance, APR, and minimum monthly payment.
2
Enter any extra amount you can put toward debt each month.
3
Choose Avalanche (pays off the highest-APR debt first, saving the most interest) or Snowball (pays off the smallest balance first, for quick wins).
4
Read your debt-free timeline, total interest paid, and the order debts get eliminated.

Questions

Avalanche vs. snowball — which saves more money?: Avalanche (highest interest rate first) almost always saves more total interest, since it eliminates the most expensive debt fastest. Snowball (smallest balance first) usually takes slightly longer and costs a bit more, but it clears individual debts faster, which many people find more motivating to stick with.
How does the extra monthly payment get applied?: Every debt's minimum payment is paid first. Any extra payment, plus the minimum payments freed up from debts you've already paid off, goes entirely toward the one target debt at the top of your chosen strategy's order.
Why does my payoff order matter?: Only one debt gets the extra payment at a time — the others just get their minimums. The order determines which debt that focus money goes to first, which is what the avalanche/snowball choice actually controls.
Is my financial information sent anywhere?: No. Every calculation runs locally in your browser with JavaScript — nothing about your debts or balances is transmitted or stored.