{"id":67236,"date":"2026-10-20T13:06:04","date_gmt":"2026-10-20T10:06:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/?p=67236"},"modified":"2026-10-26T09:38:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T06:38:33","slug":"debt-snowball-calculator-snowball-vs-avalanche","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/debt-snowball-calculator-snowball-vs-avalanche\/","title":{"rendered":"Debt Payoff Calculator \u2013 Snowball vs Avalanche"},"content":{"rendered":"<section class=\"not-prose calculator-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculator-title\"><div class=\"flex items-baseline sm:items-center justify-between gap-2 sm:gap-3\"><div class=\"flex flex-col sm:flex-row sm:items-center gap-2\"><span class=\"icon icon-calculator text-primary-700! text-base! dark:text-primary-300!\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2 id=\"calculator-title\" class=\"text-lg font-display font-bold\">Compare Debt Payoff Strategies<\/h2><\/div><div class=\"calcdash-favorite group\">\n  <button type=\"button\" class=\"favorite\" id=\"favorite\" data-favorite-id=\"67236\" data-favorite-title=\"Debt Snowball\" data-favorite-url=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/debt-snowball-calculator-snowball-vs-avalanche\/\" data-favorite-excerpt=\"Compare the debt snowball and debt avalanche strategies side by side. Enter each debt&#039;s balance, APR and minimum payment plus your total monthly budget to see which method gets you debt-free faster and cheaper.\" aria-label=\"Add to Favorites\" data-favorite-icon=\"icon icon-budget\">\n    <span class=\"icon icon-shape-star-empty\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n  <\/button>\n  <div class=\"calcdash-favorite__tip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n   <span class=\"favorite-tooltip\" id=\"favorite-tooltip\"><\/span>\n  <\/div>\n  <span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"favorite-status\"><\/span>\n<\/div><\/div><form action=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/debt-snowball-calculator-snowball-vs-avalanche\/\" method=\"POST\" class=\"calculator\" id=\"calculator-67236\" data-post=\"67236\"><fieldset class=\"fieldset-input is-2\"><legend class=\"sr-only\">Input Fields<\/legend><div class=\"field is-single\" id=\"input-1\"><label for=\"field-1\">Number of debts<\/label><div class=\"grid grid-cols-1\"><select id=\"field-1\" name=\"number_of_debts\"><option value=\"1\">1 debt<\/option><option value=\"2\">2 debts<\/option><option value=\"3\" selected>3 debts<\/option><option value=\"4\">4 debts<\/option><option value=\"5\">5 debts<\/option><option value=\"6\">6 debts<\/option><option value=\"7\">7 debts<\/option><option value=\"8\">8 debts<\/option><option value=\"9\">9 debts<\/option><option value=\"10\">10 debts<\/option><\/select><svg class=\"pointer-events-none col-start-1 row-start-1 mr-2 size-5 self-center justify-self-end text-gray-500 sm:size-4\" viewBox=\"0 0 16 16\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-slot=\"icon\">\n              <path fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M4.22 6.22a.75.75 0 0 1 1.06 0L8 8.94l2.72-2.72a.75.75 0 1 1 1.06 1.06l-3.25 3.25a.75.75 0 0 1-1.06 0L4.22 7.28a.75.75 0 0 1 0-1.06Z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\" \/>\n            <\/svg><\/div><\/div><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-2\"><span class=\"font-semibold\">Debt 1<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-3\"><label for=\"field-3\">Name<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" id=\"field-3\" placeholder=\"e.g. Credit card\" step=\"any\" value=\"Credit card\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-4\"><label for=\"field-4\">Balance<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"balance\" id=\"field-4\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-4\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"3000\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-4\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-5\"><label for=\"field-5\">APR<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"apr\" id=\"field-5\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-5\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"1000\" value=\"24.9\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-5\">%<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-6\"><label for=\"field-6\">Minimum payment<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"minimum_payment\" id=\"field-6\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-6 calc-info-6\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"90\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-6\">$<\/div><small id=\"calc-info-6\">The smallest amount you must pay on this debt each month.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-7\"><span class=\"font-semibold\">Debt 2<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-8\"><label for=\"field-8\">Name<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" id=\"field-8\" placeholder=\"e.g. Store card\" step=\"any\" value=\"Store card\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-9\"><label for=\"field-9\">Balance<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"balance\" id=\"field-9\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-9\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"800\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-9\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-10\"><label for=\"field-10\">APR<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"apr\" id=\"field-10\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-10\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"1000\" value=\"18.9\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-10\">%<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-11\"><label for=\"field-11\">Minimum payment<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"minimum_payment\" id=\"field-11\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-11\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"40\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-11\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-12\"><span class=\"font-semibold\">Debt 3<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-13\"><label for=\"field-13\">Name<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" id=\"field-13\" placeholder=\"e.g. Personal loan\" step=\"any\" value=\"Personal loan\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-14\"><label for=\"field-14\">Balance<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"balance\" id=\"field-14\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-14\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"6000\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-14\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-15\"><label for=\"field-15\">APR<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"apr\" id=\"field-15\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-15\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"1000\" value=\"11.5\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-15\">%<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-16\"><label for=\"field-16\">Minimum payment<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"minimum_payment\" id=\"field-16\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-16\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"200\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-16\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-17\" hidden><span class=\"font-semibold\">Debt 4<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-18\" hidden><label for=\"field-18\">Name<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" id=\"field-18\" placeholder=\"e.g. Medical bill\" step=\"any\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-19\" hidden><label for=\"field-19\">Balance<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"balance\" id=\"field-19\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-19\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-19\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-20\" hidden><label for=\"field-20\">APR<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"apr\" id=\"field-20\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-20\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"1000\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-20\">%<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-21\" hidden><label for=\"field-21\">Minimum payment<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"minimum_payment\" id=\"field-21\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-21\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-21\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-22\" hidden><span class=\"font-semibold\">Debt 5<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-23\" hidden><label for=\"field-23\">Name<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" id=\"field-23\" placeholder=\"e.g. Auto loan\" step=\"any\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-24\" hidden><label for=\"field-24\">Balance<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"balance\" id=\"field-24\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-24\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-24\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-25\" hidden><label for=\"field-25\">APR<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"apr\" id=\"field-25\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-25\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"1000\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-25\">%<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-26\" hidden><label for=\"field-26\">Minimum payment<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"minimum_payment\" id=\"field-26\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-26\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-26\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-27\" hidden><span class=\"font-semibold\">Debt 6<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-28\" hidden><label for=\"field-28\">Name<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" id=\"field-28\" placeholder=\"e.g. Student loan\" step=\"any\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-29\" hidden><label for=\"field-29\">Balance<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"balance\" id=\"field-29\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-29\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-29\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-30\" hidden><label for=\"field-30\">APR<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"apr\" id=\"field-30\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-30\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"1000\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-30\">%<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-31\" hidden><label for=\"field-31\">Minimum payment<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"minimum_payment\" id=\"field-31\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-31\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-31\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-32\" hidden><span class=\"font-semibold\">Debt 7<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-33\" hidden><label for=\"field-33\">Name<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" id=\"field-33\" placeholder=\"e.g. Dental bill\" step=\"any\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-34\" hidden><label for=\"field-34\">Balance<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"balance\" id=\"field-34\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-34\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-34\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-35\" hidden><label for=\"field-35\">APR<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"apr\" id=\"field-35\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-35\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"1000\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-35\">%<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-36\" hidden><label for=\"field-36\">Minimum payment<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"minimum_payment\" id=\"field-36\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-36\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-36\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-37\" hidden><span class=\"font-semibold\">Debt 8<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-38\" hidden><label for=\"field-38\">Name<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" id=\"field-38\" placeholder=\"e.g. Buy-now-pay-later\" step=\"any\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-39\" hidden><label for=\"field-39\">Balance<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"balance\" id=\"field-39\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-39\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-39\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-40\" hidden><label for=\"field-40\">APR<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"apr\" id=\"field-40\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-40\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"1000\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-40\">%<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-41\" hidden><label for=\"field-41\">Minimum payment<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"minimum_payment\" id=\"field-41\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-41\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-41\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-42\" hidden><span class=\"font-semibold\">Debt 9<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-43\" hidden><label for=\"field-43\">Name<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" id=\"field-43\" placeholder=\"e.g. Back taxes\" step=\"any\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-44\" hidden><label for=\"field-44\">Balance<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"balance\" id=\"field-44\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-44\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-44\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-45\" hidden><label for=\"field-45\">APR<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"apr\" id=\"field-45\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-45\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"1000\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-45\">%<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-46\" hidden><label for=\"field-46\">Minimum payment<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"minimum_payment\" id=\"field-46\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-46\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-46\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"is-single field\" id=\"input-47\" hidden><span class=\"font-semibold\">Debt 10<\/span><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-48\" hidden><label for=\"field-48\">Name<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"name\" id=\"field-48\" placeholder=\"e.g. Line of credit\" step=\"any\"\/><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-49\" hidden><label for=\"field-49\">Balance<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"balance\" id=\"field-49\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-49\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-49\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-50\" hidden><label for=\"field-50\">APR<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"apr\" id=\"field-50\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-50\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" max=\"1000\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-50\">%<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field\" id=\"input-51\" hidden><label for=\"field-51\">Minimum payment<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"minimum_payment\" id=\"field-51\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-51\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"0\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-51\">$<\/div><\/div><div class=\"field is-single\" id=\"input-52\"><label for=\"field-52\">Total monthly budget for debt<\/label><input type=\"text\" name=\"total_monthly_budget_for_debt\" id=\"field-52\" aria-describedby=\"calc-unit-52 calc-info-52\" data-number inputmode=\"decimal\" autocomplete=\"off\" spellcheck=\"false\" min=\"0\" value=\"500\"\/><div class=\"unit\" id=\"calc-unit-52\">$<\/div><small id=\"calc-info-52\">Must be at least the combined minimum payments. Everything above them goes to your priority debt.<\/small><\/div><\/fieldset><div class=\"buttons\"><button type=\"submit\" data-text=\"Re-Calculate\" id=\"calculate-button\" data-post=\"67236\">Calculate<\/button><button type=\"reset\">Reset<\/button><\/div><div class=\"field is-checkbox hidden!\" id=\"field-auto-calc\"><input type=\"checkbox\" id=\"auto-calc\"><label for=\"auto-calc\">Calculate automatically<\/label><small>If enabled, the result will update automatically when you change any value.<\/small><\/div><div class=\"fieldset-result is-hidden\" aria-labelledby=\"result-title\" aria-live=\"polite\" role=\"region\"> <h3 class=\"result-title bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 dark:from-primary-900 dark:to-gray-800\" id=\"result-title\"><span class=\"icon icon-s-pulse\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span> Snowball vs. Avalanche<\/h3><div class=\"result-box\"><div class=\"field-result is-column\" id=\"output-1\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Which saves more?<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-1\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-2\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Snowball: months to debt-free<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-2\" data-unit=\"months\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-3\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Snowball: debt-free date<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-3\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-4\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Snowball: total interest paid<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-4\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result is-column\" id=\"output-5\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Snowball payoff order<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-5\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-6\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Avalanche: months to debt-free<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-6\" data-unit=\"months\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-7\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Avalanche: debt-free date<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-7\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result\" id=\"output-8\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Avalanche: total interest paid<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-8\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result is-column\" id=\"output-9\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Avalanche payoff order<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-9\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result is-column\" id=\"output-10\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Snowball monthly schedule<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-10\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><div class=\"field-result is-column\" id=\"output-11\"><span class=\"field-title\"><span>Avalanche monthly schedule<\/span><\/span><span class=\"field-value\" id=\"result-11\"><\/span><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-result\" data-tooltip=\"Copy Result\" aria-label=\"Copy Result\"><span class=\"copy-icon icon icon-document-copy\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/button><\/div><\/div><div class=\"result-actions\"><button type=\"button\" class=\"copy-link\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\" fill=\"currentColor\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M12.232 4.232a2.5 2.5 0 0 1 3.536 3.536l-1.225 1.224a.75.75 0 0 0 1.061 1.06l1.224-1.224a4 4 0 0 0-5.656-5.656l-3 3a4 4 0 0 0 .225 5.865.75.75 0 0 0 .977-1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1-.142-3.667l3-3Z\"\/><path d=\"M11.603 7.963a.75.75 0 0 0-.977 1.138 2.5 2.5 0 0 1 .142 3.667l-3 3a2.5 2.5 0 0 1-3.536-3.536l1.225-1.224a.75.75 0 0 0-1.061-1.06l-1.224 1.224a4 4 0 1 0 5.656 5.656l3-3a4 4 0 0 0-.225-5.865Z\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"copy-link__text\">Copy link to this calculation<\/span><\/button><span class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" id=\"copy-link-status\"><\/span><\/div><\/div><a href=\"#respond\" class=\"hidden transition-opacity duration-300 opacity-0 w-50 text-sm justify-center items-center gap-2 px-4 py-2 rounded bg-gray-200 text-gray-700 hover:bg-gray-300\" id=\"leave-comment\"><span class=\"icon icon-comments\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>Leave a Comment<\/a><\/form><\/section><section id=\"calc-reactions\" class=\"not-prose hidden my-12 bg-gradient-to-r from-primary-50 to-gray-50 border border-indigo-100 rounded-xl px-6 py-4 shadow-sm\" data-post=\"67236\" aria-live=\"polite\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\"><p id=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"text-sm text-gray-500 text-center mb-2\">How did this result make you feel?<\/p><div role=\"group\" aria-labelledby=\"calc-reactions-title\" class=\"grid grid-cols-3 sm:flex sm:flex-row sm:justify-around gap-4 sm:items-center sm:flex-wrap\"><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"like\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"like\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude00 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Like <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"helpful\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"helpful\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\udca1 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Helpful <\/span><\/button><button type=\"button\" aria-pressed=\"false\" class=\"reaction-btn flex flex-col items-center gap-1 text-sm text-gray-700 hover:text-primary-600 cursor-pointer transition-transform hover:scale-105\" data-reaction=\"confused\"><span class=\"reaction-count\" data-reaction-count=\"confused\">0<\/span><span class=\"reaction text-3xl\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\ud83d\ude15 <\/span><span class=\"reaction-description font-medium\">Confused 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border border-primary-100 bg-white\/50 backdrop-blur-sm px-4 py-2 text-sm text-center shadow-sm\"><\/div><\/section><div class=\"calcdash-ad not-prose calcdash-ad--calc_result calcdash-ad--in-article\"><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1721569815777345\" data-ad-slot=\"6317458308\" data-ad-layout=\"in-article\" data-ad-format=\"fluid\"><\/ins><script>(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/script><\/div>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-1\">.formula-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section class=\"formula-box\" aria-labelledby=\"formula-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"formula-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display mb-4\"><span class=\"icon icon-formula\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Debt Snowball Formula<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\t<figure class=\"not-prose formula\">\r\n\t\t<figcaption class=\"formula-title\">Formula<\/figcaption>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"text-base text-gray-800\" id=\"formula\">\n\\[ i_j = b_j \\cdot \\frac{r_j}{12}, \\qquad R = B - \\sum_{j=1}^{n} m_j \\]\n<\/div>\r\n\t<\/figure>\r\n\t<\/p>\n<p><strong>Where:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\\(b_j\\) \u2014 current balance of debt \\(j\\)<\/li>\n<li>\\(r_j\\) \u2014 its annual percentage rate (APR), written as a decimal<\/li>\n<li>\\(i_j\\) \u2014 interest added to debt \\(j\\) during one month<\/li>\n<li>\\(m_j\\) \u2014 required minimum monthly payment on debt \\(j\\)<\/li>\n<li>\\(B\\) \u2014 total monthly budget available for all debt payments<\/li>\n<li>\\(R\\) \u2014 extra money left each month after all minimums are covered<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Each month the calculator adds interest to every open balance, pays every minimum, and directs the remainder \\(R\\) to one priority debt: the smallest balance (snowball) or the highest APR (avalanche). When the priority debt reaches zero, its freed-up minimum plus \\(R\\) roll onto the next target, so the payment \"snowball\" grows every time a debt disappears.<\/p>\n<p>\r\n<\/section>\n<style id=\"wpcoderpro-inline-459\">.calculation-box {\r\n\tborder-bottom: none !important;\r\n}<\/style><section id=\"calculation\" class=\"calculation-box\" aria-labelledby=\"calculation-title\">\r\n\t<div id=\"calculation-title\" class=\"not-prose font-display\"><span class=\"icon icon-unordered-list\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><h2>Debt Snowball \u2013 Calculation Example<\/h2><\/div>\r\n\r\n<\/p>\n<p><strong>Example:<\/strong> three debts \u2014 a credit card with a $3,000 balance at 24.9% APR and a $90 minimum, a store card with $800 at 18.9% and a $40 minimum, and a personal loan of $6,000 at 11.5% with a $200 minimum \u2014 paid down with a total monthly budget of $500.<\/p>\n<p>The minimums total \\(90 + 40 + 200 = \\$330\\), so \\(R = 500 - 330 = \\$170\\) goes to the priority debt each month. In month 1 the snowball attacks the store card (smallest balance):<\/p>\n<p>\\[ 800 \\times \\tfrac{0.189}{12} + 800 = 812.60, \\quad 812.60 - 40 - 170 = \\$602.60 \\]<\/p>\n<p><strong>Result:<\/strong> with these numbers the snowball clears all three debts in about 23 months, paying roughly $1,508 in interest. The avalanche, which attacks the 24.9% credit card first, also finishes in about 23 months but pays roughly $1,466 in interest \u2014 saving about $42.<\/p>\n<p>\n\r\n<\/section>\n<h2>How to use the calculator<\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li>Set <strong>Number of debts<\/strong> (from 1 to 10). The form displays exactly that many debt sections.<\/li>\n<li>For each debt, type a <strong>Name<\/strong> (optional, e.g. \"Credit card\"), its current <strong>Balance<\/strong>, its <strong>APR<\/strong>, and the <strong>Minimum payment<\/strong> you must make each month.<\/li>\n<li>Enter your <strong>Total monthly budget for debt<\/strong> \u2014 every dollar you can put toward debt repayment in a month. It must be at least as large as the combined minimum payments.<\/li>\n<li>Read the verdict line, which tells you which strategy saves more and by how much.<\/li>\n<li>Compare the snowball and avalanche side by side: months to debt-free, debt-free date, total interest paid, and the payoff order of each debt.<\/li>\n<li>Open the <em>Snowball monthly schedule<\/em> or <em>Avalanche monthly schedule<\/em> to see every balance, payment and interest charge month by month.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h2>Debt snowball vs. debt avalanche<\/h2>\n<p>Both strategies use the same core idea: pay all minimums, then throw every remaining dollar at one debt at a time. They differ only in how they choose the target. The <strong>snowball<\/strong> attacks the smallest balance first, so you wipe out individual debts quickly \u2014 the store card disappears early, and that visible progress is a powerful motivator. Each time a debt is cleared, its minimum payment is added to the attack on the next-smallest balance, which is where the \"snowball\" name comes from.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>avalanche<\/strong> attacks the highest interest rate first. Mathematically it is the cheapest option: for a fixed monthly budget, no ordering generates less total interest than always killing the most expensive debt. In the default example above it saves about $42 \u2014 in other situations, especially with large high-APR balances, the gap can run into thousands of dollars.<\/p>\n<p>So why does anyone pick the snowball? Because the cheapest plan on paper is worthless if you abandon it. Research on debt repayment behavior suggests many people stick with the snowball longer because closing an account early feels like real progress, and consistency matters more than a few dollars of interest. This calculator shows you the actual trade-off for <em>your<\/em> debts, so the decision is a number rather than a guess.<\/p>\n<p>Interpreting the result is simple: if the avalanche saves only a trivial amount, pick whichever strategy you find easier to follow \u2014 favoring the snowball for its early wins. If the avalanche saves hundreds or more, seriously consider it, especially if your highest-rate debt is also a large one. To see how a single high-APR balance compounds, try our <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/credit-card-interest-calculator\/\">credit card interest calculator<\/a>.<\/p>\n<h2>Quick comparison<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th><\/th>\n<th>Snowball<\/th>\n<th>Avalanche<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td>Priority<\/td>\n<td>Smallest balance first<\/td>\n<td>Highest APR first<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Interest paid<\/td>\n<td>Slightly more<\/td>\n<td>Always the minimum possible<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Time to debt-free<\/td>\n<td>Same or slightly longer<\/td>\n<td>Same or shorter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Psychological edge<\/td>\n<td>Fast early wins<\/td>\n<td>Satisfying to watch expensive debt shrink<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>Best for<\/td>\n<td>People who need momentum<\/td>\n<td>People motivated by total savings<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2>Assumptions, limitations and tips<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>The calculator assumes you stop making new charges and keep the monthly budget constant until every balance is zero. If your budget varies, run the calculator again with a realistic average.<\/li>\n<li>Interest is accrued monthly as balance \u00d7 APR \u00f7 12, which matches how most credit cards and loans compute it. Balances with daily compounding or grace periods may differ slightly.<\/li>\n<li>Minimum payments are treated as fixed amounts, not as a percentage of the shrinking balance. If your minimums decline as balances fall, the results will be somewhat different.<\/li>\n<li>Fees, promotional 0% periods that later expire, and statements made mid-cycle are not modeled. Enter an APR that reflects what the rate will actually be over the payoff period.<\/li>\n<li>If your budget barely covers the minimums, most of each payment goes to interest and progress will be painfully slow. Before committing, check your <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/debt-to-income-ratio-calculator\/\">debt-to-income ratio<\/a> to see how stretched you really are.<\/li>\n<li>A <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/debt-consolidation\/\">debt consolidation loan<\/a> can turn several payments into one at a lower blended rate \u2014 worth comparing against both strategies when you have good credit.<\/li>\n<li>Once unsecured debts are gone, the same snowball logic works on larger loans; our <a href=\"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/finance\/mortgage-payoff-calculator-with-extra-payments\/\">mortgage payoff calculator with extra payments<\/a> shows the effect of rolling your freed-up budget into a home loan.<\/li>\n<li>If one debt has an extremely high APR (for example a payday loan), attacking it first is wise under either method \u2014 put it at the top of the list regardless of strategy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Compare the debt snowball and debt avalanche strategies side by side. Enter each debt's balance, APR and minimum payment plus your total monthly budget to see which method gets you debt-free faster and cheaper.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3168,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[14],"class_list":["post-67236","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-finance","tag-budget"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67236","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3168"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=67236"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67236\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":67541,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/67236\/revisions\/67541"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=67236"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=67236"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wpcalc.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=67236"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}