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Debt Avalanche Calculator
Find how many months it takes to pay off a balance at a given interest rate and monthly payment.
How this calculator works
Enter the balance, the yearly interest rate and what you pay each month. The calculator charges interest monthly (the yearly rate divided by 12) and counts how many payments it takes to reach zero. If your payment is not even larger than the monthly interest, the balance never shrinks, so the calculator tells you to raise the payment. The avalanche method means attacking the debt with the highest interest rate first while paying minimums on the rest.
Example
A $8,000 balance at 18% a year with a $300 monthly payment. The calculator shows: Estimated Payoff: 35 Months. You can see how long the highest-rate debt takes to clear.
Tips
- Order your debts by interest rate, highest first, and put every extra dollar toward the top one.
- Run each debt through the calculator separately to see which one costs you the most per month in interest.
- Even an extra $50 a month can cut months off a high-rate balance, because it reduces the principal that interest is charged on.
Common questions
What is the difference between avalanche and snowball?
Avalanche pays the highest interest rate first and usually minimizes total interest. Snowball pays the smallest balance first and is mainly a motivation tool.
Why does the calculator say my payment is too low?
If the monthly payment is less than or equal to one month of interest, the balance never goes down. Increase the payment until it clearly exceeds the interest.
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Results are estimates only. See our disclaimer.