Debt Avalanche Payoff Calculator

Work out debt avalanche payoff instantly with clear inputs, formula shown and shareable results.

About Debt Avalanche Payoff Calculator

The avalanche method attacks the highest rate first, which minimises total interest. Running the same monthly budget — here 3% of the opening total — through both orderings shows exactly what the rate-first discipline is worth.

Formula

Avalanche order

Service interest on all debts, then direct all surplus to the highest APR until cleared

Worked example

With the default values below, Debt Avalanche Payoff Calculator returns Interest Saved Versus Snowball of $125,982.12. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.

Inputs used

High-Rate Debt Balanceminimum 0: 150,000
High-Rate APRaccepts 0–100 %: 34 %
Low-Rate Debt Balanceminimum 0: 350,000
Low-Rate APRaccepts 0–100 %: 11 %

Results

Interest Saved Versus Snowball: $125,982.12
Months To Clear Both Debts: 43
Interest Under Avalanche: $135,578.17
Interest If Ordered By Balance: $261,560.29

Step by step

1Values used
2Avalanche order
3Interest Saved Versus Snowball= 125,982.12
4Months To Clear Both Debts= 43
5Interest Under Avalanche= 135,578.17
6Interest If Ordered By Balance= 261,560.29

Assumptions and limits

The result is derived only from the 4 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
Figures are rounded for display to 2 decimal places, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
Figures are estimates. Lenders apply their own rounding, fees and eligibility rules, and rates change. This is not financial advice — confirm the numbers with your lender.
This is an estimate for general information and not professional financial, tax or legal advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.

How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.

Figures are estimates. Lenders apply their own rounding, fees and eligibility rules, and rates change. This is not financial advice — confirm the numbers with your lender.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is avalanche mathematically best?

Every spare unit removes the most expensive interest first, so the interest clock slows fastest.

When is snowball still preferable?

When the rate gap is small and motivation matters more than a modest interest saving.