Free Tool

Debt Snowball Calculator

Enter your debts and see exactly when you'll be debt-free. Choose snowball (smallest balance first) or avalanche (highest rate first), add extra payments, and watch your burndown chart.

Snowball: pay off smallest balances first for quick wins and momentum.

Name
Balance
APR %
Min Payment
$

Snowball vs. Avalanche: Which Is Better?

Both methods work — the best one is the one you stick with.

Debt Snowball: Pay minimums on everything, then throw every extra dollar at your smallest balance. When it hits zero, roll that payment into the next-smallest. You get quick wins that build momentum — research from Harvard Business Review shows this psychological boost makes people more likely to finish.

Debt Avalanche: Same idea, but target the highest interest rate first. Mathematically optimal — you'll pay less total interest. The trade-off is that your first payoff might take longer, which can feel discouraging.

Extra payments matter more than method. Even $50/month extra can shave years off your timeline and save thousands in interest. Try adjusting the extra payment field above to see the difference.

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