Avalanche Method Highest APR first CSV export

Debt Avalanche Calculator

Attack the highest-rate debt first to pay the least interest possible. The avalanche method is mathematically optimal — enter your debts and see exactly how much you save.

Strategy Avalanche Highest APR paid first
Budget aware Monthly One total budget, auto-allocated
Export CSV Full month-by-month schedule
Start planning How avalanche works

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Plan your avalanche payoff

Set your total monthly budget, then add each debt. The avalanche strategy is pre-selected — extra payments go to the highest-APR debt first.

Start date defaults to the current month. Adjust if you plan to begin later.

Your debts

Name Balance APR % Min payment Order Actions

What Is the Debt Avalanche Method?

The core idea

The debt avalanche method is mathematically the most efficient debt repayment strategy. You list your debts from highest APR to lowest APR, pay minimums on everything, and direct every extra dollar at the highest-rate debt.

When that debt is gone, its freed-up minimum joins the payment on the next highest-rate debt — a cascade that accelerates as each balance falls to zero.

Step-by-step

  1. List all debts from highest APR to lowest APR.
  2. Pay the minimum on every debt except the highest-rate one.
  3. Put every extra dollar toward the highest-APR balance.
  4. When it's paid off, roll that payment to the next highest rate.
  5. Repeat until debt-free.

Why avalanche minimizes interest

High-APR debt compounds the fastest. Every dollar you park on a 24% APR credit card costs you 2% per month in new interest. Eliminating that balance first stops the fastest-growing drain on your budget. The total interest saved compared to paying only minimums — or compared to snowball — grows with the size of your high-rate balances.

  • Mathematically optimal: least total interest by definition.
  • Best when high-rate debts are also large balances.
  • Payoff date is often similar to snowball — but with less total interest.

Avalanche vs Snowball — when to choose each

  • Choose Avalanche if you're disciplined and comfortable with the math. You may not see individual debts disappear as quickly, but you pay less overall.
  • Choose Avalanche if your highest-rate debt is also your largest balance — snowball would barely touch it for years.
  • Choose Snowball if motivation is a challenge. Eliminating a small debt fast provides a psychological win that keeps people on track.
  • Use this calculator to compare: switch the strategy dropdown to Snowball and see what the difference looks like for your actual numbers.

Tips for Using the Avalanche Calculator

Find your maximum budget

  • Start with the sum of all minimum payments as your floor.
  • Add any consistent surplus from your budget — even $50/month matters.
  • Try different budget amounts to see the nonlinear drop in interest as you increase the monthly payment.

Account for rate changes

  • Variable-rate debts (many HELOCs, some personal loans) may change APR. Re-run the plan annually.
  • If a high-rate debt has a promotional 0% period, set its APR to 0 and model payoff within that window — then recalculate at the go-to rate.
  • Use the CSV export to track actual paydown against the projected schedule.

Debt Snowball Calculator

Target smallest balances first for quick psychological wins. Compare with avalanche to see which approach fits your situation.

Try Snowball →

Debt Payoff Planner

Snowball, Avalanche, and Custom strategy in one place. Reorder debts manually for a hybrid approach.

Open planner →

Balance Transfer Calculator

Model a 0% intro APR offer — transferring your highest-rate balance before avalanche may save even more.

Try it →

FAQ

What is the debt avalanche method?

The debt avalanche method means paying minimum payments on all debts and directing every extra dollar to the debt with the highest APR. When that debt is paid off, the freed payment rolls to the next highest-rate debt, accelerating as you go.

How much does avalanche save compared to snowball?

It depends on your specific debts. The difference can range from a few dollars to hundreds or thousands — it's largest when you have a high-rate, large-balance debt. Use the strategy dropdown in this calculator to switch between Avalanche and Snowball and compare the Interest Saved totals directly.

Does avalanche always pay off debt faster?

Not necessarily. Avalanche minimizes interest, but snowball eliminates entire debts faster. Overall payoff date is often similar between the two methods, though the order in which individual debts disappear differs significantly.

Can I include both credit cards and loans?

Yes. Add any debt type — credit cards, auto loans, student loans, personal loans, medical bills. Each just needs a balance, APR, and minimum payment.

What if two debts have the same APR?

The calculator treats ties as equivalent and allocates extra payment to whichever appears first in the current order. You can use the Custom strategy to manually break ties however you prefer.

Is my information stored anywhere?

No. All calculations happen in your browser. No data is ever sent to a server. Closing the tab clears all inputs.