Free calculator
Debt Payoff Calculator
Up to five debts, three ways to pay them: highest APR first, smallest balance first, or minimums only. See the months and the estimated interest for each. Free, no sign-up.
| Plan | Months | Interest (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| Avalanche, highest APR first | 0 | $0 |
| Snowball, smallest balance first | 0 | $0 |
| Minimums only, no roll-over | 0 | $0 |
- Owed today$0
- Minimums add up to$0
- Extra each month$0
- Paid each month in both plans$0
When each debt is paid off
| Debt | Avalanche | Snowball | Minimums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debt 1 | - | - | - |
| Debt 2 | - | - | - |
| Debt 3 | - | - | - |
| Debt 4 | - | - | - |
| Debt 5 | - | - | - |
How it works
Each month every balance grows by its APR divided by 12, rounded to the cent, and every minimum is paid. The minimums plus your extra amount are paid every month in both plans.
Avalanche sends the money left after minimums to the highest APR first. Snowball sends it to the smallest balance first. The order is set from today's balances, and when a debt is paid off its minimum moves to the next one. Each plan runs up to 20 years.
Minimums only pays each minimum and nothing else, with no roll-over, so each debt runs on its own schedule. If a minimum does not cover a month's interest, that balance never comes down. All interest figures are estimates.
A worked example
The workbook's example has five debts: a credit card at $4,751.76 and 24.99% APR with a $145 minimum, a store card at $854.32 and 26.99% ($40), a car loan at $10,748.15 and 7.4% ($329), a student loan at $18,658.05 and 5.5% ($205) and a personal loan at $3,142.59 and 12.9% ($112). That is $38,154.87 owed and $831 of minimums. Minimums only takes 119 months and about $11,093 of interest. At $1,100 a month, the minimums plus $269, avalanche takes 40 months and about $4,965 of interest, and snowball also takes 40 months with about $5,234. These are estimates from the Debt Payoff Tracker workbook's example, balances as of October 2026.
Track the real balances, payment by payment
The Debt Payoff Tracker uses this same maths for Excel and Google Sheets, for up to 25 debts: a payment log that updates each balance, both plans month by month, what to pay each debt next month, and owed over time. $2.99, instant download.
Questions
What is the difference between avalanche and snowball?
Both pay every minimum and put the rest on one debt at a time. Avalanche picks the highest APR first, which usually costs less interest. Snowball picks the smallest balance first, so the first debt is gone sooner.
Why does minimums only take so long?
Part of each minimum goes to interest, and when a debt is paid off its minimum is not moved to the others. On a high APR card most of a small minimum can go to interest.
How exact are these numbers?
They are estimates. The calculator adds APR divided by 12 each month and assumes no new charges, fees or rate changes. Your lender's statements will differ.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is planning math based on the numbers you enter.