Debt-free chart
100 squares, each worth 1% of your total debt. Color them all in.
A big debt total can feel like it never moves. This chart breaks it into 100 squares, each worth 1% of what you owe. Every time you pay that much off, you color in a square.
Milestones at 25%, 50% and 75% give you something to celebrate on the way, and the last square is debt-free.
How it works
Add up all your debt and write the total. Each of the 100 squares is 1% of it. Divide the total by 100 to get the value of each square, and color one in every time you pay that much off. Milestones at 25%, 50% and 75% are marked so you can celebrate along the way.
| Total debt | Each square (1%) |
|---|---|
| $5,000 | $50 |
| $10,000 | $100 |
| $18,400 | $184 |
| $35,000 | $350 |
How to use it
- Add up all your debt and write the total.
- Divide by 100. That is the value of each square.
- Color in a square every time you pay that much off.
Ways to use it
- One chart per debt for a large loan.
- Couples: two colors, one chart.
- Pair it with the snowball or avalanche plan.
Tips
- Count only the principal you pay down, not interest.
- Use one chart for all debts, or one per debt for a big loan.
Questions
How do I make a debt payoff chart?
Add up your total debt, split it into 100 equal parts, and color one in each time you pay that amount off. This printable does the layout for you.
Should I count interest on the chart?
Count only the principal you pay down. Watching the balance itself drop is what matters.
What are good rewards for paying off debt?
Small and cheap ones that don’t add new debt: a favorite meal, a day trip, a small treat at each milestone.
Goes well with
- Debt snowball or avalanche? Decision sheet List your debts in both orders and pick the method that fits you.
- Credit card payoff tracker A color-in thermometer for each of up to six cards.
More debt payoff
Debt snowball tracker for couples
Yours, mine and shared debts on one page, in snowball order.
Credit card payoff tracker
A color-in thermometer for each of up to six cards.
Debt snowball or avalanche? Decision sheet
List your debts in both orders and pick the method that fits you.
2027 debt payoff tracker
Up to six debts, their balance at the end of every month of 2027, and the total.
This printable is a general planning tool, not financial advice. Read the full disclaimer.