Money's tight right now
Which order should you actually pay off debt?
A real simulation comparing snowball vs. avalanche for your specific debts.
Debt payoff calculator
Snowball vs. avalanche — see which order actually saves you more
Debt 1
Debt 2
Debt 3
On top of the minimum payments above — this is what actually speeds things up.
Avalanche (highest APR first)
3 yrs
£1,430 total interest
Snowball (smallest balance first)
4 yrs
£1,845 total interest
Avalanche saves you
£416
in interest, vs. snowball
Assumes interest compounds monthly and payments are made on time every month with no new borrowing added. Real cards and loans may calculate interest slightly differently — treat this as a close estimate for comparing strategies, not an exact payoff date.
Avalanche pays off your highest-interest debt first, which is mathematically the cheapest route — it minimises total interest paid. Snowball pays off your smallest balance first regardless of interest rate, clearing individual debts faster for a psychological win, which research suggests helps some people actually stick with the plan. Neither is "wrong" — avalanche saves more money, snowball tends to build more momentum. This tool runs the real numbers for both so you can see exactly what the difference costs you.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between debt snowball and avalanche methods?
Avalanche pays off the highest-interest debt first, saving the most money overall. Snowball pays off the smallest balance first, which can build momentum faster even though it usually costs more in total interest.
Which debt payoff method saves more money?
Avalanche, mathematically — since it targets the highest interest rate first, minimising the total interest paid.