Debt Payoff Calculator
Add your debts and any extra you can put towards them each month to compare the snowball (smallest balance first) and avalanche (highest interest rate first) strategies side by side.
Estimate only. This is an estimate — representative figures, not financial advice. It assumes fixed interest rates, no missed payments and no new borrowing. Speak to a debt adviser (e.g. StepChange or MoneyHelper) if you're struggling with repayments.
Add at least one debt
Enter a balance, APR and minimum payment for each debt to compare payoff strategies.
Snowball vs avalanche: how each is calculated
Both strategies pay the minimum on every debt each month, then put all remaining extra budget towards one target debt. Snowball targets your smallest balance first — clearing debts quickly builds momentum and motivation. Avalanche targets your highest APR first — since interest is minimised by attacking the most expensive debt first, avalanche is mathematically guaranteed to cost the same or less in total interest than snowball. Once a debt is paid off, its minimum payment rolls into the extra budget for the next target, so payments snowball as you go — both strategies usually clear all your debts in a similar number of months, but avalanche typically saves you money along the way.