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Credit utilization calculator

Credit utilization is how much of your available credit card limits you're using. Add each card's balance and limit to see your overall and per-card utilization, then try paying down a balance or adding a new credit line to see the difference.

Your credit cards

Card 1

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Card 2

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Try a "what if" (optional)
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Applied to your highest-utilization card first.

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Only counts if the account reports a revolving credit limit. Installment credit builder loans don't add to your limit.

Overall utilization

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Enter at least one card's balance and limit.

Educational estimate. Lenders report balances on their own schedules, and lower utilization doesn't guarantee a score change.

How this calculator works

  • Overall utilization = total card balances ÷ total credit limits. A $900 balance on a $3,000 total limit is 30%.
  • Per-card utilization is each card's balance ÷ its own limit. Scoring models can consider both.
  • Only revolving accounts with a reported credit limit count. Installment loans, like most credit builder loans, don't add to your limits.
  • The balance that counts is usually the one your card issuer reports to the credit bureaus, often around your statement date, not your balance today.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good credit utilization ratio?

Lower is generally better. Many people aim to stay under 30%, and some aim for under 10%, but there's no single number that guarantees a certain score. Paying down debt you can afford matters more than hitting an exact percentage.

How much does credit utilization affect my credit score?

In FICO's general breakdown, "amounts owed," which includes utilization, makes up about 30% of a typical score. Other scoring models weigh it differently.

Does paying my card before the statement date help?

It can lower the balance your issuer reports to the bureaus, since many issuers report around the statement date. Reporting schedules vary by lender, so there's no guaranteed day.

Does a credit builder loan lower my utilization?

Usually not. Credit builder loans are installment loans, so they don't add a revolving credit limit. A product that reports a revolving credit line with a limit can count, if the bureau and scoring model include it.

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For education only, not financial advice. Calculations run in your browser and your numbers aren't saved or sent anywhere.