Debt Avalanche vs. Snowball Calculator
Compare the highest-interest-first and smallest-balance-first debt payoff strategies.
Card A
Card B
Loan C
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Avalanche (highest APR first)
29 months
$2,206 total interest
Snowball (smallest balance first)
29 months
$2,373 total interest
Avalanche saves
$167
in interest vs. snowball
For informational and educational purposes only — not financial, investment, or tax advice, and not a substitute for consulting a qualified professional about your specific situation. TrueMeasureKit is not liable for decisions made based on these results. See our Terms of Service.
Cheapest plan vs. easiest plan to stick with
Avalanche always saves at least as much interest as snowball, because it targets the debt actively costing the most first — that's simple math, not a matter of opinion. Snowball's case is behavioral: clearing a small balance entirely delivers a quick, motivating win, which research on debt repayment suggests helps some people stay consistent with the plan long enough to finish it. If both plans take about the same number of months here, the interest gap is the real deciding factor; if snowball takes meaningfully longer, the "motivation" tradeoff is more expensive than it might seem.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between avalanche and snowball?
Avalanche pays off the highest-interest-rate debt first, minimizing total interest paid — the mathematically optimal order. Snowball pays off the smallest balance first, which clears individual debts faster and can build motivation, even though it usually costs slightly more in total interest.
Which strategy should I actually pick?
If you're confident you'll stick with either plan, avalanche saves more money. If early wins matter to keep you motivated, snowball's psychological benefit can outweigh the extra interest — this calculator shows the real cost difference so you can decide.