★ TOOL · DEBT PAYOFF STRATEGY · AVALANCHE vs SNOWBALL · 2026

Avalanche vs Snowball. Which kills debt faster?

Two competing debt-payoff strategies. Avalanche: pay highest-APR first (math-optimal). Snowball: pay smallest-balance first (motivation-optimal). This calculator simulates both for your actual debts so you can see exactly how much each saves — and which gives faster wins.

★ YOUR DEBTS ★

Add your obligations

1
BALANCE
RATE
MIN/MO
2
BALANCE
RATE
MIN/MO
3
BALANCE
RATE
MIN/MO
★ AVALANCHE

Highest-rate first

40 months
$5,796 interest

Math-optimal — saves the most money

★ SNOWBALL

Smallest-balance first

41 months
$6,230 interest

Faster wins for motivation

★ AVALANCHE SAVES
$434

The mathematical edge of paying high-APR debt first. If you can stick with it psychologically, choose avalanche. If you need quick wins to stay motivated, choose snowball.