Credit utilization calculator
See how much of your available credit you’re using, and how much to pay down to reach common targets.
| Card | Balance | Limit | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card 1 | $1,800 | $5,000 | 36% |
| Card 2 | $900 | $3,000 | 30% |
How it works
Utilization equals your total card balances divided by your total credit limits. It can be measured per card and overall, and scoring models may consider both.
Scoring models differ and don’t publish exact rules. Lower utilization is generally viewed more favorably, and under 30% is a common target.
Example
With the sample inputs shown above (Card 1 balance ($) = 1800; Card 1 limit ($) = 5000; Card 2 balance ($) = 900; Card 2 limit ($) = 3000; Card 3 balance ($) = 0; Card 3 limit ($) = 0), the calculator returns: Overall utilization: 34% (Above 30%); Pay down to reach 30%: $300; Pay down to reach 10%: $1,900.
Things to know
Use each card’s statement balance and credit limit. Scoring models generally consider both overall and per-card utilization. Paying a balance down before the statement closes can lower the utilization that gets reported.