Debt Avalanche Calculator
See how fast the debt avalanche method clears your debts — enter your balances, rates and minimum payments plus an extra amount, paying off the highest interest rate first.
Estimate only, not financial advice. Assumes fixed rates, minimum payments and the extra amount each month, applied to principal. Real results vary with rate changes and payment timing.
How the debt avalanche works
Pay the minimum on every debt, then throw all your extra money at the debt with the highest interest rate. Clearing the most expensive interest first means you pay the least overall, and once a debt is gone its payment rolls onto the next-highest rate. The calculator simulates it month by month and shows your debt-free date and total interest.
Avalanche vs snowball
The avalanche is usually the cheapest order, but the debt snowball method (smallest balance first) gives quicker early wins that help some people stay the course — switch the method here to compare. For a single loan, the pay off mortgage early calculator shows the interest saved from extra payments.
Frequently asked questions
What is the debt avalanche method?
You pay the minimum on every debt, then put all your extra money toward the debt with the highest interest rate. Once it’s cleared, its payment rolls to the next-highest rate. Because you kill the most expensive interest first, this method usually costs the least overall.
Does the avalanche method save money?
Usually yes — targeting the highest APR first minimizes the interest you pay, so it’s mathematically the cheapest payoff order. The trade-off is fewer early “wins” than the snowball method if your highest-rate debt also has a large balance. The calculator shows both for comparison.
Avalanche vs snowball — which should I use?
Avalanche saves the most interest; snowball (smallest balance first) gives quicker motivational wins. If the interest difference is small, pick whichever you’ll actually stick with. Switch the method above to compare the payoff time and total interest for your own debts.