Debt payoff strategy
Debt Avalanche Calculator
Build a debt avalanche plan by paying minimums on all debts and sending extra money to the highest APR balance first.
Calculator
Debt Avalanche Calculator
Debt avalanche strategy
The avalanche method prioritizes the highest APR first. It is designed to reduce interest cost, though it may not close the smallest balance first.
Worked example
With credit card, auto and student loan balances, the tool compares avalanche ordering with snowball ordering so the tradeoff between interest saved and first payoff timing is visible.
Methodology
Debts are sorted by APR for avalanche and by balance for snowball. Interest accrues monthly, minimums are paid first, and extra cash goes to the current target.
Sources and review
Last reviewed: August 16, 2026.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau debt resources
- CFPB auto loan resources
- Federal Student Aid repayment plan resources
See the calculator methodology and data sources pages.
Frequently asked questions
Why use avalanche?
Avalanche targets the highest APR debt first, which often lowers total interest.
How is this different from snowball?
Snowball targets the smallest balance first; avalanche targets the highest APR first.
Does this include late fees or changing minimums?
No. It assumes fixed APRs, fixed minimum payments and no new debt.