Daily Figures Edition No Sign-Up • Free Forever Vol. XII — No. 204
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Debt Snowball Calculator

Enter your debts and an extra payment to see your payoff order and time to debt-free, smallest balance first.

Filed by The Statistics Desk  |  Method: smallest balance first
paid on top of the minimums
Debt-free in
—
With this strategy.
Details
Total interest—
Total you pay—
Monthly outlay—
Payoff order—
Show our math
Enter your figures above to see the step-by-step working.
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How the Debt Snowball Calculator Works

The debt snowball pays your debts smallest balance first. You make the minimum payment on everything, then pour every spare dollar at the smallest debt until it’s gone. Its freed-up payment then rolls onto the next-smallest, and so on — the “snowball” grows as each debt falls. This calculator holds your total monthly payment steady and simulates the whole plan month by month.

Snowball’s strength is momentum: knocking out a balance quickly is motivating, which helps people stick with it. It isn’t always the cheapest — paying highest-interest first (the avalanche) usually saves a bit more — but the quick early wins are why many people succeed with it.

minimums on all → extra to the smallest balance → roll freed payments onward

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the debt snowball method?

You pay minimums on every debt and direct all extra money to the smallest balance first. Once it’s paid, that payment rolls to the next-smallest, accelerating as you go.

Is the snowball or avalanche method better?

The avalanche (highest APR first) usually saves slightly more interest. The snowball (smallest balance first) gives faster early wins, which many people find more motivating. This site has a calculator for each.

Does the order really matter?

For total interest, modestly — the avalanche wins by targeting the priciest debt. For finishing the plan, behaviour matters more, which is the snowball’s appeal. Enter your debts to compare both.

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