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Debt payoff calculator
Highest rate first, or smallest balance first? Run both.
Two popular payoff strategies, one honest comparison. Enter your two balances, their APRs, and your total monthly payment — see avalanche (highest APR first) and snowball (smallest balance first) side by side.
Results
Avalanche saves vs snowball
$0.00
Same payment, different order
Avalanche: months$0.00
Avalanche: interest$0.00
Avalanche: total paid$0.00
Snowball: months$0.00
Snowball: interest$0.00
Snowball: total paid$0.00
Avalanche always wins on interest — the only question is by how much. Snowball's edge is psychological: killing a whole balance early keeps people paying.
Assumptions
Last checked: September 2026 · Country: United States
Model: Two debts, one total monthly payment, priority debt paid first
Interest: Accrues monthly at each debt's APR
Minimums: Simplified — real cards require a minimum on each account
Excluded: New charges, fees, rate changes
A directional comparison, not a payoff plan. Your statements show required minimums per account.
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Avalanche vs snowball, honestly
Avalanche (highest APR first) minimizes total interest — it's pure math. Snowball (smallest balance first) clears an entire account sooner, and that early win keeps more people sticking with the plan. On $4,000 at 24% plus $2,500 at 18% with $400/month, avalanche saves about $206 in interest and both finish in 20 months — the gap is real but small enough that the method you'll actually follow wins.
When the gap matters most
The strategies diverge when APRs are far apart and balances are large. A 29.99% store card vs a 12% personal loan is where avalanche pulls clearly ahead. When rates are close, pick snowball for the momentum.
The payment matters more than the order
Raising the monthly payment beats any ordering trick. An extra $100/month on the example above cuts the payoff from 20 months to 15 and saves another ~$300 in interest. See the credit card interest calculator for the single-balance version of this math.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better: avalanche or snowball?
Avalanche (highest APR first) always costs less in interest. Snowball (smallest balance first) gives faster early wins. The best method is the one you'll stick with — the math gap is often smaller than people expect.
How much does avalanche save vs snowball?
It depends on the rate spread. On $4,000 at 24% and $2,500 at 18% with $400/month, avalanche saves about $206. Wider spreads and bigger balances widen the gap.
Should I pay the smallest debt first?
If the quick win keeps you motivated, yes — behavioral research favors snowball for follow-through. If you're disciplined about it, avalanche is cheaper.
What if I have more than two debts?
List them all, then apply the same rule: avalanche sorts by APR descending, snowball by balance ascending. This calculator models your two biggest to keep the comparison readable.
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