Debt Avalanche vs Snowball
Compare strategies and find the fastest path to debt freedom.
Your Debts
Amount above minimum payments to throw at debt
Avalanche (highest rate first)
-- months
$0 total interest
Snowball (smallest balance first)
-- months
$0 total interest
Avalanche Saves You
$0
in interest and 0 months faster
Total Debt
$0
Total Min Payments
$0
Avg Interest Rate
0%
Balance Over Time
Payoff Order
Avalanche Order
Snowball Order
Debt Avalanche vs Debt Snowball: Which is Better?
Both strategies help you pay off debt faster by focusing extra payments on one debt at a time. The difference is which debt you target first.
Debt Avalanche Method
Pay minimum on all debts, then put all extra money toward the debt with the highest interest rate. Once that's paid off, roll everything into the next highest rate. This method saves the most money mathematically because you eliminate the most expensive debt first.
Debt Snowball Method
Pay minimum on all debts, then put all extra money toward the debt with the smallest balance. The psychological wins from quickly eliminating entire debts can keep you motivated. Dave Ramsey popularized this approach.
Which Should You Choose?
- Avalanche if you're disciplined and want to save the most money
- Snowball if you need quick wins to stay motivated
- The difference is often small — the most important thing is committing to a strategy