A small independent site with one job: honest debt payoff math.
TheDebtPayoff is a small, independent project with one job: show you the real math of getting out of debt. Every calculator on this site runs entirely in your browser, shows every step of its math, and compares your options side by side instead of hiding the ugly numbers. No signup, no account, no paywall, no sales pitch at the end.
Most debt calculators answer one narrow question and hide their assumptions. Worse, many are built by lenders to sell you a product. This site takes the opposite approach: standard amortization math, stated assumptions, full breakdowns, and honest comparisons, including the comparisons that argue against the easy answer. The snowball vs avalanche guide is a good example of the philosophy: real numbers, real tradeoffs, no cheerleading.
Every calculator uses the same transparent engine. Each simulated month, interest accrues on the balance (APR divided by 12), then your payment is applied. Minimum payments follow the common card formula: the greater of 2% of the balance or $25. Payoff methods roll freed payments forward exactly like the real snowball and avalanche methods do. Nothing is estimated with a formula shortcut; it is month by month simulation, the same math a spreadsheet would do.
TheDebtPayoff is not a lender, a bank, or a financial advisor. It does not sell debt products, it does not recommend specific cards or loans, and it is not affiliated with any bank, lender, or government agency. Everything here is educational content and estimates only. For decisions about your specific situation, speak with a licensed financial advisor or a nonprofit credit counselor. Read the full disclaimer for the complete picture.
This is a one person independent project, built and maintained by someone who believes financial tools should show their work. There is no editorial team, no sponsored placements, and no investors. If you spot a math error, tell us: corrections are taken seriously and made fast.