Debt Payoff Calculator
Enter all your debts, choose a strategy, and see your exact debt-free date. Compare avalanche vs snowball to find the fastest, cheapest path out of debt.
Avalanche vs. Snowball
The avalanche method directs extra payments to the debt with the highest interest rate first. This minimizes the total interest you pay and gets you debt-free for less money overall.
The snowball method targets the smallest balance first, regardless of rate. Each paid-off debt creates momentum. Research shows people who use the snowball method are more likely to follow through — making it the better choice if motivation is a challenge.
The avalanche method directs extra payments to the debt with the highest interest rate first, minimizing total interest paid. The snowball method targets the smallest balance first, giving you faster wins to stay motivated. Avalanche saves more money; snowball keeps you on track psychologically. If your interest rates are similar, the difference is small — pick the one you will stick with.
The calculator pays the minimum required on every debt each month, then applies any extra amount to the target debt based on your chosen strategy. When a debt is paid off, its former minimum payment is automatically rolled into the extra amount — this is the snowball or avalanche 'roll-over' effect that dramatically accelerates payoff.
Enter the required minimum payment stated on your most recent statement. For credit cards this is usually 1–2% of the balance or a flat minimum (often $25–$35). For installment loans like auto loans it is your fixed monthly payment. Using your actual minimums gives the most accurate payoff timeline.
Yes. Click the '+ Add Debt' button to add as many debts as you need. The calculator handles credit cards, auto loans, student loans, personal loans, and any other fixed or revolving debt.
If your debts have similar APRs, or if your smallest balance also happens to be your highest-rate debt, the two methods produce nearly identical results. The avalanche advantage is largest when there is a significant spread between interest rates — for example, a 24% credit card alongside a 5% auto loan.
Yes, completely. All calculations run in your browser. No debt balances, APRs, or payment information are ever sent to any server or stored outside your device. Your inputs are saved in your browser's local storage for convenience only.