Credit Cards Payoff Calculator
Build a payoff plan for multiple credit cards using either the snowball method (lowest balance first) or the avalanche method (highest APR first).
How to use the Credit Cards Payoff Calculator
- Enter your inputs into the Credit Cards Payoff Calculator above.
- Results update instantly as you type — no submit button needed.
- Adjust any value to see how the result changes in real time.
Snowball vs. avalanche logic
Pay minimums on all cards; direct extra dollars to one target card. Roll its payment forward when paid off.
Avalanche minimizes total interest by attacking the highest-rate debt first. Snowball maximizes psychological wins by clearing the smallest balance first. Same minimums on the other cards either way.
Worked example
Three cards: $1,500 at 18%, $4,000 at 24%, $2,500 at 15%. With $600/month total budget, avalanche (target the 24% card) saves about $480 in total interest vs. snowball over the full payoff. Snowball clears the first card 3 months sooner, however.
Frequently asked questions
Which method is mathematically better?
Avalanche always wins on total interest because it attacks the highest rate first. The gap is usually small ($100s) when APR spreads are similar; larger ($1000s) when one card is much higher rate.
Which method has higher completion rates?
Studies suggest snowball has slightly better completion rates because clearing a card quickly produces motivation. Pick the one you'll actually stick with — completed-but-slow beats abandoned-but-optimal.
Can I mix the two strategies?
Yes. A common hybrid: target the highest-APR card first (avalanche), but if a small card can be cleared in a month or two as a quick win, knock it out first then resume avalanche.