Snowball vs Avalanche Calculator
List up to three cards and the extra money you can throw at debt each month. We simulate both famous methods on the same debts: snowball (smallest balance first, for quick wins) and avalanche (highest APR first, for the lowest cost).
Side by side
| Snowball (smallest first) | Avalanche (highest APR first) | |
|---|---|---|
| Months to debt-free | ||
| Debt-free date | ||
| Total interest | ||
| Total paid | ||
| Payoff order |
How it works
Both methods pay the minimum on every card, then throw all extra money at one target card. When that card is gone, its minimum rolls into the attack on the next card. The only difference is which card you target first.
Snowball targets the smallest balance. You kill a card fast, get a visible win, and stay motivated. Avalanche targets the highest APR. You pay the least interest in total, because the most expensive debt shrinks first. On paper, avalanche always wins on cost — but only if you actually finish. Research on real payoff plans keeps finding the same thing: the method you stick with beats the method that is mathematically perfect.
A practical rule: if your APRs are close together (within a few points), snowball's quick wins usually cost almost nothing — pick snowball. If one card is far more expensive than the others (say 29% vs 16%), avalanche's savings are real money — pick avalanche. And either way, the extra monthly amount matters more than the method: raising it by $50 often saves more than switching methods.
Frequently asked questions
Which method is better, snowball or avalanche?
Avalanche always costs less in interest on paper, because it attacks the highest APR first. Snowball often works better in real life, because paying off a whole card quickly keeps people motivated. The difference is usually small — the extra monthly payment matters more than the method.
Should I stop paying minimums on the other cards?
No. Both methods pay at least the minimum on every card, every month. Missing a minimum means late fees and a hit to your credit score, which costs more than any method saves.
What if I have more than three cards?
Run the calculator with your three largest balances, or combine your smallest cards into one line. The comparison logic is the same: minimums everywhere, extra money on one target.
Does the order really change the payoff date?
Sometimes by months, sometimes not at all. When APRs are similar, the two methods finish within a month of each other. The gap grows when one card's APR is much higher than the rest.
What counts as 'extra' money?
Anything above the sum of your minimum payments. Tax refunds, a side-gig payout, or the $25 you save by cooking one more meal a week — every extra dollar goes to principal on the target card.
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