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Debt Avalanche Calculator

List debts, minimum payments and any extra monthly payment to estimate a highest-APR-first payoff schedule. This compares a method assumption, not a debt advice plan.

Debt list

Debts

Add each debt with balance, APR and minimum payment.

$
%
$

Enter 0 only if there is no required minimum payment.

$
%
$

Enter 0 only if there is no required minimum payment.

$
%
$

Enter 0 only if there is no required minimum payment.

$

Highest APR first, while paying minimums on the other debts. Leave blank or use 0 if there is no extra amount.

Key takeaway

Compared with minimum payments only, this is estimated to save 2 years, 2 months and $3,791 in interest.

Date and comparisonsChoose the start month and optional comparison sections.
Region and currencyChanges defaults and currency formatting only.

Region settings change defaults, labels, units and formatting only. They do not convert currencies or provide tax advice. US defaults use USD formatting.

Payoff order

Highest APR first

1. Card 2
$6,000 at 24.99%
2. Card 1
$2,500 at 19.99%
3. Loan
$10,000 at 9.50%

Key payoff metrics

Estimated payoff time, interest and comparison values.

Debt-free date
September 2028
Total interest
$3,806
Total paid
$22,306
Time saved
2 years, 2 months
Interest saved
$3,791
Status
Estimate available

Individual debt payoff rows

Estimated payoff month and interest for each listed debt.

Card 2$1,352 interest, $7,352 total paid.
September 2027
Card 1$770 interest, $3,270 total paid.
January 2028
Loan$1,684 interest, $11,684 total paid.
September 2028

Minimum-only comparison

Comparison against paying the listed minimums only.

Avalanche payoff time
2 years, 8 months
Avalanche interest
$3,806
Minimum-only payoff time
4 years, 10 months
Minimum-only interest
$7,597
Time saved
2 years, 2 months
Interest saved
$3,791

Snowball comparison note

A compact informational comparison using the same inputs.

Snowball payoff time
2 years, 8 months
Snowball interest
$3,984
Difference vs avalanche
0 months longer
Interest difference
$178
Annual schedule summaryCompact yearly totals from the estimated payoff schedule.
Year 1$8,460 paid that year.
$2,443 interest, $12,483 remaining
Year 2$8,460 paid that year.
$1,184 interest, $5,206 remaining
Year 3$5,386 paid that year.
$180 interest, $0 remaining

Warnings to note

  • Issuer minimums, APRs, fees and payment allocation rules can vary. This is a general estimate only.
  • The estimate assumes no new charges, late fees or changing APRs.

Save or share this result

Copy a plain-English summary or download a CSV with the inputs, results, warnings and general-estimate note.

Exports are generated in your browser. NoNoiseTools does not need to store your numbers or require an account.

General estimate only

This calculator provides general estimates only. It is not financial advice, debt counselling, credit counselling, legal advice or hardship advice. It assumes no new charges, fees or APR changes.

How this debt avalanche calculator works

The calculator applies monthly interest to each listed debt, pays minimum payments and directs extra available payment to the active debt with the highest APR.

Highest APR first payoff order

Avalanche order targets the highest APR first. If APRs are tied, the calculator uses balance and then input order as tie-breakers.

Extra payments and freed-up minimum payments

Extra payments and minimum payments from debts already paid off are redirected to the next avalanche target in the estimate.

Avalanche estimate vs minimum payments only

The optional minimum-only comparison estimates time and interest using the listed minimum payments only, when a full schedule can be calculated.

Snowball comparison note

The avalanche calculator can show a compact snowball comparison using the same inputs. It is informational only and does not recommend either method.

What this calculator does not include

This calculator does not include new charges, late fees, changing APRs, issuer-specific minimum payment formulas, payment allocation rules, hardship options, consolidation choices or credit counselling advice.

Key terms and assumptionsAvalanche order, monthly interest, minimum payments, redirected payments, snowball comparison and estimate limits.
Avalanche order
The avalanche method targets the highest APR first. Ties use balance and then input order.
Monthly interest
Each debt accrues monthly interest using APR divided by 12.
Minimum payments
Minimum payments are applied to active debts before the extra payment is directed to the current target.
Freed-up payments
When a debt is paid off, its minimum payment is redirected to the next target in the estimate.
Snowball comparison
The optional snowball comparison uses the same shared payoff engine and inputs, but does not replace the full snowball calculator.
General estimate
The calculator excludes new charges, fees, changing APRs, issuer rules, hardship options, consolidation choices and debt counselling advice.

Guides and methodology

Plain-English notes that explain the assumptions behind related calculators and tools.

Debt Payoff ExampleA practical debt payoff scenario showing balances, APRs, minimum payments, extra payment and payoff-order interpretation.Debt Snowball vs Avalanche ExampleCompare debt snowball and avalanche payoff ordering with a simple example and calm tradeoff notes.Calculator methodology and assumptionsHow NoNoiseTools handles formulas, rounding, timing, region settings, exports and general estimate limits.

Related calculators

Browse the Money calculators hub for snowball, credit card, balance transfer, loan payoff and budget calculators.

FAQs

What is the debt avalanche method?

It targets the debt with the highest APR first while continuing minimum payments on other debts.

Why does avalanche focus on APR?

Higher APR debts generally add interest faster, so this method prioritises the most expensive rate first.

What happens when one debt is paid off?

Its minimum payment is rolled into the amount available for the next target debt.

Can I compare avalanche with snowball?

This page can include a short comparison note, while the full snowball details are on the snowball calculator.

What if a minimum payment does not cover interest?

The calculator warns that the debt may not pay down under the assumptions entered.

Does this include new charges or fees?

No. It assumes no new debt, late fees or changing APRs.

How is this different from snowball?

Avalanche targets the highest APR first; snowball targets the smallest balance first.

Is this financial advice?

No. It is a general estimate of a payoff method, not financial, credit, tax, legal, accounting or debt counselling advice.