Debt snowball and avalanche calculator
The snowball method pays your smallest balance first for quick, motivating wins; the avalanche method pays your highest rate first to save the most interest. Add each of your debts with its balance and rate, set what you can pay in total each month, and compare the two on your debt-free date and total interest.
Snowball vs avalanche
Avalanche costs £783 less in interest. Snowball clears "Store card" first, which many people find more motivating.
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Worked example
For a £12,400 balance at 22.0% APR, the time to debt-free is 34 mo. Total interest: £4,289. Total repaid: £16,689.
How it works
- Both methods pay the minimum on every debt, then throw all your spare budget at one target debt until it is gone, then roll that freed-up money onto the next.
- Snowball targets the smallest balance first. Clearing a whole debt quickly is motivating and frees its minimum to pile onto the next, which helps people stick with the plan.
- Avalanche targets the highest interest rate first. This always pays the least total interest and usually clears everything a little sooner, though the first win can take longer.
- The maths difference is often smaller than people expect, so the best method is frequently the one you will actually keep going with. Add your debts and compare both on your own numbers.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, snowball or avalanche?
Avalanche always costs the least interest because it kills your most expensive debt first, so on pure maths it wins. Snowball clears whole debts sooner, which many people find more motivating and are more likely to stick with. If the interest difference between them is small for your debts, the snowball's momentum can be worth more than the saving.
How do I use the extra budget?
Keep paying the minimum on every debt so nothing falls behind, then put every spare pound onto a single target debt (the smallest for snowball, the highest-rate for avalanche). When that debt clears, roll its whole payment onto the next target. Repeating this is what accelerates the plan.
What if my budget only covers the minimums?
Then neither method can make extra progress and the debt clears very slowly. The priority is to free up any amount above the total minimum payments, even a small fixed extra makes a large difference over time. If you are struggling, free help is available from StepChange and Citizens Advice.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is an indicative planning estimate from the figures you enter, not advice, a quote, or a credit decision. It assumes you add no new borrowing and keep paying at least the minimums.
This calculator gives an indicative planning estimate from the figures you enter. It is not advice, a quote, or a credit decision. CoreFi is a trading name of JG Core Ltd (company 16218779). Figures reviewed July 2026.