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Debt Avalanche Calculator

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Enter up to three debts to see them ordered by interest rate - the mathematically optimal payoff sequence.

Debt Avalanche Calculator

Live
Payoff order (highest APR first)
Card A → Card B → Loan C
Total balance
$17,000
Weighted avg APR
15.5%
Pay minimums on all debts, then put every extra dollar toward the top debt on this list.

The method

Pay minimums on every debt Put all extra money toward the debt with the highest interest rate Once that's paid off, roll its payment into the next-highest rate debt
Example

Card A (24% APR), Card B (18%), Loan C (8%): pay minimums on all three, then attack Card A first - it's costing you the most per dollar owed.

Step-by-step guide

  1. Enter each debt's name, balance, and interest rate (APR).
  2. Read the payoff order, sorted from highest to lowest rate.
  3. Pay minimums everywhere, and put extra money toward the top of the list.

Avalanche vs. snowball: the real tradeoff

The avalanche method (highest interest rate first) is mathematically optimal - it minimizes the total interest paid over the life of your debt payoff, full stop. The snowball method (smallest balance first, see our Debt Snowball Calculator) usually costs a bit more in total interest, but clears individual debts faster, which some people find more motivating to stick with. Neither approach is "wrong" - the best method is the one you'll actually follow through on.

Common mistakes

Missing minimum payments on other debts while focusing extra money on the top one - late fees and credit damage can outweigh the interest savings.
Comparing cards using promotional or introductory rates instead of the rate that applies after the promotion ends - use the real ongoing APR.

Frequently asked questions

Which method saves more money, avalanche or snowball?

Avalanche always saves the same or more in total interest, since it targets the most expensive debt first - the size of the difference depends on how much your rates vary between debts.

What if two debts have the same interest rate?

It won't meaningfully affect your total interest paid either way - a reasonable tiebreaker is to pay off the smaller balance first for an earlier motivational win.

Should I include my mortgage in this?

Usually not - mortgages typically carry much lower rates than credit cards or personal loans, and are generally addressed separately from a high-interest debt payoff plan.

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