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Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Payoff Calculator

Compare the Debt Snowball (lowest balance first) and Debt Avalanche (highest interest first) payoff methods with month-by-month debt-free timeline.

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1. Your Debts

Debt NameBalance ($)APR (%)Min Pay ($)

2. Payoff Strategy Comparison

Debt Snowball
Lowest Balance First
32 mos
$2,840 interest
Debt Avalanche
Highest APR First
30 mos
$2,420 interest
Avalanche saves ~$420 and pays off 2 months faster!
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How to Use the Debt Snowball vs Avalanche Payoff Calculator

  1. 1
    Add your debts with name, balance, APR %, and minimum monthly payment.
  2. 2
    Enter any extra monthly payment amount you can contribute.
  3. 3
    Compare total interest and months to debt-free status between Snowball and Avalanche.

Practical Example & Use Case

Common Real-World Scenario

Comparing $15,000 credit card debt (22% APR) and $8,000 auto loan (6% APR) to see how Avalanche saves $1,400 in interest.

Technical Notes & Limitations

Browser Engine Architecture

Assumes fixed APR and that no new debt is added during the payoff schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Debt Snowball method?

Pay off the smallest balance first while paying minimums on others. It provides quick psychological wins.

What is the Debt Avalanche method?

Pay off the highest interest rate first. Mathematically, this minimizes total interest paid.