Debt Avalanche Calculator
Plan a debt avalanche: pay minimums on everything and direct extra money to the highest-interest debt first to minimise total interest.
Your inputs
Results
Months until debt-free
37
- Total interest paid
- $2,521.77
- Total paid
- $29,821.77
- Monthly budget used
- $815.00
- Interest difference vs snowball (positive = this costs more)
- -$19.27
≈Estimate based on the stated model and assumptions
| # | Debt | Paid off in month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Card A | 8 |
| 2 | Card B | 9 |
| 3 | Car loan | 21 |
| 4 | Student loan | 37 |
Inputs are never added to links for financial, salary or health calculators.
What this calculator does
The avalanche method prioritises the debt with the highest interest rate. Mathematically it minimises the total interest you pay for a fixed monthly budget.
Formula and method
Worked example
Calculated by this tool with its default inputs:
Inputs
- Your debts — one per line: name, balance, APR %, minimum payment: Card A, 2500, 22, 75 Car loan, 9000, 6, 250 Card B, 800, 18, 30 Student loan, 15000, 5, 160
- Extra amount per month on top of minimums: 300 (any currency)
Results
- Months until debt-free: 37
- Total interest paid: 2,521.77
- Total paid: 29,821.77
- Monthly budget used: 815
- Interest difference vs snowball (positive = this costs more): -19.27
How to read the results
The negative difference against the snowball method is the interest you save by targeting rates rather than balances.
Assumptions and limitations
- Promotional 0 % rates that expire are not modelled; enter the rate that will apply.
- Results assume you keep paying the same total each month.
Financial results are estimates based on the inputs and assumptions shown. They are not financial advice; confirm figures with your lender, provider or a qualified adviser before making decisions.
Questions
What if two debts have the same rate?
They are taken in the order you listed them.
Methodology and verification
- Result type
- Estimate based on the stated model and assumptions
- Formula version
- 1.0
- Automated verification
- 2 reference and validation test cases, checked against independently computed values. The site cannot be built if any of them fail.
- Editorial review
- Awaiting human editorial review. The explanation was drafted with AI assistance; the formula and examples are verified by the automated tests above.
Privacy
Everything you enter is calculated in this browser and is not sent to Numerith or anyone else. Because this calculator can involve personal financial or health details, your inputs are never added to share links or saved to history. Privacy policy