Precis

Debt Payoff

Add up to three debts. Avalanche pays the highest interest rate first (cheapest overall); snowball pays the smallest balance first (faster early wins).

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Debt 1
Debt 2 (optional)
Debt 3 (optional)
Debt-free in
0 months
—
Total starting balance£0
Total interest paid£0
Total paid overall£0

Debt avalanche vs debt snowball — which is faster?

Debt avalanche pays off whichever debt has the highest interest rate first, which minimises the total interest you pay overall — it's the cheaper method mathematically. Debt snowball instead pays off the smallest balance first, which doesn't save as much in interest but gives faster visible wins, which some people find easier to stick with. This calculator simulates both, so you can see the actual difference in months and total interest for your specific debts, not just the general rule of thumb.

Frequently asked questions

Which is better, debt avalanche or debt snowball?

Avalanche saves more money in interest since you attack the most expensive debt first. Snowball can be more motivating since smaller debts disappear faster — the “better” method is whichever one you'll actually stick with.

How many debts can I add?

This calculator handles up to three debts at once. Leave any slot's balance at zero to exclude it.

What happens to a debt's minimum payment once it's paid off?

This calculator automatically redirects a cleared debt's minimum payment toward your next priority debt, which is how both avalanche and snowball are meant to work in practice.

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