Debt Snowball Calculator
Knock out your smallest balance first and build unstoppable momentum.
The debt snowball method targets your smallest balance first, regardless of interest rate. Every time a debt is cleared, its payment "snowballs" onto the next-smallest balance. It is the method behind countless debt-free stories because the quick early wins keep you motivated. Add your debts below to see your personalised snowball plan.
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
£3,737.23
snowball method
Total amount paid
£18,237.23
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 snowball method.
- 1Credit Card B
- 2Credit Card A
- 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 | £4,185.15 | £8,403.54 | £1,609.85 |
| 2 | £194.1 | £13,892.64 | £4,170.02 | £8,306.08 | £1,416.55 |
| 3 | £189.59 | £13,582.23 | £4,154.59 | £8,207.6 | £1,220.04 |
| 4 | £185.01 | £13,267.24 | £4,138.88 | £8,108.1 | £1,020.27 |
| 5 | £180.36 | £12,947.61 | £4,122.86 | £8,007.56 | £817.19 |
| 6 | £175.64 | £12,623.25 | £4,106.54 | £7,905.97 | £610.74 |
| 7 | £170.85 | £12,294.1 | £4,089.91 | £7,803.32 | £400.87 |
| 8 | £165.98 | £11,960.08 | £4,072.95 | £7,699.61 | £187.52 |
| 9 | £161.04 | £11,621.12 | £4,026.31 | £7,594.81 | £0 |
| 10 | £155.95 | £11,277.07 | £3,788.14 | £7,488.92 | £0 |
| 11 | £150.3 | £10,927.37 | £3,545.43 | £7,381.93 | £0 |
| 12 | £144.55 | £10,571.92 | £3,298.09 | £7,273.83 | £0 |
Should you consolidate?
Compare a single consolidation loan against your DIY snowball plan.
Your DIY plan (snowball)
- Time to clear
- 3 yr 1 mo
- Total interest
- £3,737.23
- Total cost
- £18,237.23
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 snowball method?
The debt snowball method orders your debts from the smallest balance to the largest, ignoring interest rate. You pay the minimum on every debt and throw all spare money at the smallest one. When it is cleared, that payment rolls onto the next-smallest debt — the snowball grows as you go.
Does the snowball method cost more in interest?
Usually a little, yes. Because it ignores APR, you may pay more total interest than the avalanche method. The trade-off is psychological momentum: clearing whole debts quickly keeps many people on track. Use the comparison in our planner to see the exact difference for your numbers.
Snowball or avalanche — which should I choose?
If you are motivated by quick wins, choose snowball. If you want to pay the least interest mathematically, choose avalanche. Our tool shows both side by side so you can decide with real numbers, not guesswork.
More calculators
Debt Avalanche Calculator
Target your highest interest rate first to pay the least interest possible.
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 →