Debt strategy comparator

The avalanche method directs every spare dollar at the debt with the highest interest rate first, while paying minimums on the rest. Once the highest-rate debt clears, the freed payment cascades to the next-highest. It minimises total interest paid and is mathematically optimal.

The snowball method targets the smallest balance first. Once that debt clears, its payment rolls into the next smallest. The early wins build motivation and have been shown to improve completion rates, though total interest is typically higher than avalanche.

Avalanche almost always wins on total interest paid. Snowball can win on motivation. If you'll stick with the plan either way, choose avalanche. If you've abandoned a plan before, snowball's quick wins are worth the slightly higher cost — the math only matters if you finish.

Time to debt-free depends on your total balance, average APR, and how much above the sum of minimums you can pay each month. Every extra $100/month typically shaves several months off and saves hundreds in interest. Plug in your real numbers above to see the exact date.

It can, but mortgages usually shouldn't be in the same plan as credit-card or student debt. Their rates are far lower and the tax treatment differs. Use this tool for high-interest unsecured debt; mortgages belong in a separate payoff-vs-invest analysis.

Yes. Every calculation runs in your browser. We never see, store, or transmit your debt balances or interest rates.