Debt Payoff Calculator guide
Debt Payoff Calculator: Avalanche vs Snowball
Use our debt payoff calculator to plan how to clear several debts, compare the avalanche and snowball methods, and see when you'll be debt-free.
By the AllCalculator editorial teamUpdated 16 October 20261 min read
With several debts, the order you pay them off matters. Our Debt Payoff Calculator builds a plan and shows when you'll be debt-free.
How to use the calculator (Debt Payoff Calculator)
- List each debt as its name, balance, APR and minimum payment, separated by semicolons.
- Enter the total you can pay each month.
- Choose a strategy.
The two strategies
- Avalanche (highest rate first): pay the minimum on everything and put the rest on the debt with the highest APR. This saves the most interest.
- Snowball (smallest balance first): put the extra on the smallest debt. You clear debts sooner, which some people find motivating.
A worked example
With the calculator's default settings, three debts totalling £10,600 and £450 a month:
- Debt-free in 2 years 4 months
- Total interest: £1,597
- Paying only the minimums would take 3 years 6 months and cost £3,057 in interest
Frequently asked questions
Which debts should I pay first?
Priority debts like rent, mortgage, council tax and energy come before credit cards and loans, because the consequences of missing them are more serious.
What if I can't afford the minimums?
Get free, confidential help from StepChange, National Debtline or Citizens Advice. Avoid paid debt management companies.
For a single card, use our Credit Card Calculator.
Sources and further reading
- MoneyHelpermoneyhelper.org.uk
- StepChange Debt Charitystepchange.org
- National Debtlinenationaldebtline.org
Links open official and independent websites in a new tab.
This guide is general information to help you understand your options. It isn't financial, tax, legal or building advice and doesn't take your personal circumstances into account. Figures were checked when the guide was last updated and can change, so confirm anything important with GOV.UK, HMRC, a regulated adviser or a qualified tradesperson.