Debt Avalanche Calculator
Target your highest interest rate first to pay the least interest possible.
The debt avalanche method targets your highest-APR debt first. Because expensive interest is dealt with soonest, it mathematically minimises the total interest you pay and is usually the fastest route out of debt by cost. Add your debts below to build your avalanche plan and see how much interest you save versus the snowball.
Your debts
Pre-filled with an example — edit the numbers to match your own.
Minimums total £325 / month.
Applied in month 1 (e.g. a bonus or tax refund).
Debt-free date
July 2029
3 yr 1 mo
Total interest paid
£3,645.62
avalanche method
Total amount paid
£18,145.62
principal + interest
Interest you could save
£91.61
avalanche vs other method
Snowball vs Avalanche — side by side
Snowball
- Time to debt-free
- 3 yr 1 mo
- Total interest
- £3,737.23
- First debt cleared
- Credit Card B
Avalanche
Lowest interest- Time to debt-free
- 3 yr 1 mo
- Total interest
- £3,645.62
- First debt cleared
- Credit Card A
Total balance over time
How your combined debt falls under each strategy.
Payoff order
The order your debts clear under the avalanche method.
- 1Credit Card A
- 2Credit Card B
- 3Personal Loan
Payoff schedule
37 months total| Month | Interest | Remaining balance | Credit Card A | Personal Loan | Credit Card B |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £198.54 | £14,198.54 | £4,010.15 | £8,403.54 | £1,784.85 |
| 2 | £193.66 | £13,892.2 | £3,816.68 | £8,306.08 | £1,769.45 |
| 3 | £188.7 | £13,580.9 | £3,619.51 | £8,207.6 | £1,753.79 |
| 4 | £183.65 | £13,264.56 | £3,418.58 | £8,108.1 | £1,737.88 |
| 5 | £178.52 | £12,943.07 | £3,213.82 | £8,007.56 | £1,721.7 |
| 6 | £173.29 | £12,616.37 | £3,005.15 | £7,905.97 | £1,705.25 |
| 7 | £167.98 | £12,284.35 | £2,792.5 | £7,803.32 | £1,688.53 |
| 8 | £162.58 | £11,946.92 | £2,575.79 | £7,699.61 | £1,671.53 |
| 9 | £157.08 | £11,604 | £2,354.95 | £7,594.81 | £1,654.25 |
| 10 | £151.49 | £11,255.49 | £2,129.89 | £7,488.92 | £1,636.68 |
| 11 | £145.8 | £10,901.28 | £1,900.53 | £7,381.93 | £1,618.82 |
| 12 | £140.01 | £10,541.29 | £1,666.8 | £7,273.83 | £1,600.67 |
Should you consolidate?
Compare a single consolidation loan against your DIY avalanche plan.
Your DIY plan (avalanche)
- Time to clear
- 3 yr 1 mo
- Total interest
- £3,645.62
- Total cost
- £18,145.62
Consolidation loan
- Monthly payment
- £378.07
- Total interest
- £3,212.52
- Total cost (incl. fee)
- £18,147.52
Ready to lower your interest rate?
If your plan shows consolidation could save you money, compare real, regulated lenders and 0% balance-transfer cards before you apply. Always check the representative APR, fees, and eligibility.
Affiliate disclosure: these are sponsored comparison links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you. This is not financial advice — check each provider's terms before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the debt avalanche method?
The debt avalanche method orders debts from the highest interest rate (APR) to the lowest. You pay minimums on everything and put all spare cash toward the highest-APR debt first. Once it is gone, you move to the next-highest rate. This minimises the total interest you pay.
Is the avalanche method always cheaper?
In pure interest terms, the avalanche method pays the least interest because it kills your most expensive debt first. The downside is that your highest-APR debt may also have a large balance, so early wins can feel slow. Our planner shows the interest saved and any difference in months versus snowball.
Can I switch strategies later?
Yes. Many people start with a snowball for momentum then switch to avalanche, or vice versa. The planner lets you toggle instantly so you can see the impact before committing.
More calculators
Debt Snowball Calculator
Knock out your smallest balance first and build unstoppable momentum.
Open →Credit Card Payoff Calculator
See exactly how long your cards take to clear — and what minimum payments really cost.
Open →Debt Consolidation Calculator
Compare the true cost of a consolidation loan against your DIY payoff plan.
Open →Loan Payoff Calculator
Work out your payoff date, total interest, and how much you save by paying extra.
Open →