Debt Avalanche Calculator
Plan a fixed monthly debt budget by paying required minimums and directing the rest to the highest APR.
Method checked 2026-09-15 · Methods & sources · Examples are estimates, not current offers or quotes.
Your estimate
Fill in the inputs and select Calculate. Results clear when you change an input so you can compare a fresh estimate.
How this calculator works
Charges each open balance at APR / 12.
Pays each entered minimum, up to the available monthly budget.
Directs every remaining dollar to the highest APR open balance and repeats monthly.
Worked example
Worked example: three balances of $100 at 30.00%, 20.00%, and 10.00% APR with $10 minimums and a $100 monthly budget are cleared in four months; surplus payment goes to the 30.00% balance first.
Common questions
Why target the highest APR?
Holding the monthly budget constant, this method prioritizes the balance with the highest modeled monthly interest rate.
Can I use fewer than three debts?
Yes. Set an unused balance and its minimum payment to zero.