What to Look for in a UK Debt Calculator (2026 Checklist)

Most debt calculators weren't built for UK users. They're American tools that assume American debt products, American interest rate formats, and American minimum payment rules.

Use the wrong one and you could get a strategy that costs you months of extra payments.

Here's what to check before trusting any debt calculator with your payoff plan.

1. Does It Handle EAR vs APR?

This is the most important check for UK users — and the one most calculators fail.

The issue:

• UK overdrafts use EAR (Equivalent Annual Rate)

• Credit cards and loans use APR (Annual Percentage Rate)

They look similar but calculate differently. A 39.9% EAR overdraft has a lower monthly rate than a 39.9% APR credit card.

Why it matters: If a calculator treats them the same (most do), it might tell you to prioritise the wrong debt. That's not a small error — it could cost you £100-300 in extra interest and months of extra payments.

How to check: Does the calculator ask you to specify whether each debt is APR or EAR? If not, it's probably treating everything as APR.

For a deeper dive, see our guide on overdraft vs credit card: which to pay first.

2. How Many Strategies Can You Compare?

Some calculators only show one method. Better ones let you compare.

The main strategies:

Strategy	How It Works	Best For
Snowball	Smallest balance first	People who need quick wins
Avalanche	Highest interest first	People motivated by maths
Hybrid	Mix of both	Most people
Cash Flow Index	Frees up monthly cash fastest	Tight budgets

Why it matters: The "best" strategy depends on your psychology, not just the maths. Seeing all options side-by-side helps you pick one you'll actually stick with.

Read our complete guide to UK debt payoff methods for detailed explanations.

How to check: Can you see results for multiple methods at once? Or does it just give you one answer?

3. Do You Need to Create an Account?

Some calculators require signup before showing results. Others let you use them immediately.

Why it matters:

• Signup = your debt data goes to their servers

• No signup = calculations can run in your browser (more private)

If you're uncomfortable sharing your financial details, look for a calculator that works without registration.

How to check: Can you enter your debts and see results without providing an email or creating a login?

4. What Do You Actually Get?

Free calculators range from "basic total" to "detailed month-by-month plan."

Questions to ask:

• Do you get an exact debt-free date?

• Can you see payment amounts for each debt, each month?

• Is there a printable or downloadable version?

Why it matters: Knowing "you'll be debt-free in about 3 years" is less useful than "you'll be debt-free in March 2028, here's exactly what to pay each month."

5. Is It Actually Designed for UK Users?

Many calculators are American tools with a "UK" label slapped on.

Signs it's not really UK-focused:

• Uses $ instead of £

• Doesn't mention EAR or overdrafts

• Assumes credit score works like the US system

• References US-specific debt products

Signs it IS UK-focused:

• Built-in EAR vs APR handling

• Mentions UK overdrafts specifically

• Uses £ throughout

• References UK debt charities (StepChange, etc.)

Quick Checklist

Before using any debt calculator, check:

• Does it handle EAR vs APR separately?

• Can you compare multiple strategies?

• Can you use it without creating an account?

• Does it give you a specific debt-free date?

• Was it built for UK users?

If you're answering "no" to several of these, the calculator might give you a plan that doesn't fit your situation.

What DebtRiot Offers

DebtRiot is a UK calculator that ticked all these boxes.

Core features:

✓ Asks whether each debt is APR or EAR (auto-detects overdrafts)

✓ Compares 5 strategies side-by-side with your real numbers

✓ No signup, no account, no data stored — runs in your browser

✓ Shows exact debt-free date for each approach

✓ Built specifically for UK debt products

What you get in the full plan (£9.99 one-time):

✓ Complete month-by-month payment schedule until debt-free

✓ monthly payment calendar — set your payday, see exactly what to pay when

✓ What-if scenarios — see impact of paying +£50, +£100, +£200 extra per month

✓ Snowflake tracking — add tax refunds, bonuses, or gifts and see how they accelerate your freedom

✓ Promo rate handling — track 0% deals with expiry dates

✓ Milestone timeline — every debt clearance mapped out

✓ Personalised PDF to share with your partner or advisor

✓ Unlimited recalculations forever

Free to compare strategies and preview 3 months. That's enough to pick your approach and start.

DebtRiot is a calculator tool, not financial advice. For personalised guidance, speak with a qualified adviser or free debt charity.

• Why don't American calculators work for UK users?

  They assume all interest rates are APR and use American minimum payment formulas. UK overdrafts use EAR, which calculates differently. Using the wrong formula can give you the wrong debt priority order.

• Does the strategy really matter that much?

  Honestly? For most people, the difference between Snowball and Avalanche is £50-150 over 2-3 years. The bigger factor is picking a strategy you'll actually stick with. Seeing all options helps you make that choice.

• What if I can't afford minimum payments?

  If you're struggling to make minimums, you need debt advice before a calculator. Contact StepChange or Citizens Advice - both free and confidential.