Credit Utilization Calculator

What credit utilization means

Credit utilization is how much of your available credit card limit you are using. If your cards have a combined limit of $2,000 and you owe $600, your utilization is 30%. It is one of the biggest parts of your credit score, and it can improve as soon as your card reports a lower balance, usually within a month or two.

• Under 30%: the most common guideline.
• Under 10%: typical of people with the highest scores.
• Scores look at both your total utilization and each card on its own, so one maxed-out card can hurt even if your total is low.

Learn more in our guide to credit utilization and how to lower it.

How to lower your utilization

• Pay before the statement closes. The balance on your statement is usually what gets reported to the credit bureaus.
• Make two payments a month if you use your card a lot.
• Ask for a higher limit (and ask whether it means a hard inquiry).
• Don't close old cards with no annual fee: you lose their limit.

Frequently asked questions

Should I list cards with a $0 balance?
Yes. Their limits count toward your total available credit and lower your overall utilization.

Do loans count toward credit utilization?
Utilization mainly refers to revolving credit like credit cards and lines of credit. Car loans, student loans and mortgages are installment loans and are scored differently.

Is 0% utilization best?
Not always. Using a little of your credit and paying it off shows that you use credit responsibly. Many people aim for a small balance, well under 10%.

This calculator gives estimates for educational purposes only. It is not financial advice, and your real numbers may differ.