Debt Avalanche Calculator — Highest APR Paid First

How to use

1. Add a row per debt: name, balance, APR and the minimum payment from your statement.
2. Enter the extra amount you can add on top of minimums each month.
3. Run the simulation for your debt-free date, total interest and payoff order.
4. Compare against the minimums-only column to see what the extra amount saves.

General information only — not medical, financial or legal advice. Figures cross-checked against public official sources (IRS / HMRC / NHS / WHO guidance); content last reviewed September 2026. For decisions that matter, confirm with a licensed professional in your country.

About this tool

The avalanche method pays debts in order of interest rate — highest APR first — and it is mathematically the cheapest route out of debt. This calculator simulates it month by month with your real numbers: each debt's balance, APR and minimum payment, plus whatever extra you can throw at the pile every month. Minimums are paid everywhere, the extra always attacks the highest-rate balance, and when a debt dies its payment rolls onto the next target — the cascade that makes avalanche fast. You get your debt-free date, months to zero, total interest paid and a payoff order table showing which debt falls in which month and what it cost you. A second simulation at minimums-only shows exactly what your extra payment saves you. It is an educational estimate, not professional advice — but the arithmetic is honest, and nothing leaves your browser.

FAQ

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