Debt Avalanche vs. Snowball: Measure the Price of Payoff Order
The avalanche minimizes modeled interest; the snowball may deliver an earlier closed balance. A useful choice quantifies the price of that motivational milestone.
Debt Avalanche vs. Snowball Calculator
Run the same monthly budget through two payoff orders and expose the dollar tradeoff.
Calculations stay in this browser. No entries are saved.
Run two payoff orders with the same budget
Avalanche targets rate. Snowball targets balance. Holding the budget constant isolates the cost of the order itself.
- Keep every minimum current
- Direct extra cash by one rule
- Roll freed payments forward
Cost and timing of each payoff order
Calculated resultNot available
Use current balances, APRs and minimums, and address delinquent or secured debt first.
How payoff orders are simulated
Both methods use the same monthly budget and keep all minimum payments current. Avalanche directs remaining cash to the highest APR; snowball directs it to the smallest balance and rolls freed payments forward.
Behavior the model cannot measure
Promotion deadlines, changing minimums, fees and new purchases are excluded. Consequences of secured, tax or delinquent debt can override the modeled order.
This calculator supports The Real Cost of Credit Cards. Debt Avalanche vs. Snowball: Measure the Price of Payoff Order explains which details can change the inputs. The calculation methodology shows how we handle timing, rounding and exclusions.
Evidence standard for this calculation
Use current balances, APRs and minimums, and address delinquent or secured debt first. Inputs remain in the browser and outputs are rounded for display.
Read the complete methodology →Questions about avalanche and snowball order
How do payoff order and motivation trade against interest?
Avalanche targets the highest APR to minimize modeled interest; snowball targets the smallest balance to create earlier account closures.
Which debt clears first under the same budget?
The first payoff depends on the chosen order, balances, rates and minimums while the total monthly debt budget stays the same.
Debt details to enter before choosing an order
- Current balances, APRs and minimums
- Promotion expiry and payment-allocation terms
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