Credit Utilization Calculator
Card 1
$
$
Card 2
$
$
30%
Overall Utilization30.00%
Total Balance$1,500.00
Total Limit$5,000.00
Pay Down to Reach 30%$0.00
| Limit↕ | Balance↕ | Utilization↕ |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000.00 | $500.00 | 50.00% |
| $4,000.00 | $1,000.00 | 25.00% |
Credit utilization is the share of your available revolving credit you are currently using, and it is one of the heaviest factors in a credit score. This calculator totals the balances and limits across every card you own, reports each card individual ratio plus the overall aggregate, and tells you exactly how much to pay down to hit a target utilization such as 30% or 10%. Keeping the ratio low signals lenders that you are not overextended.
Formula
utilization = balance / limit × 100; paydown = totalBalance − (target/100 × totalLimit)
- balance
- Current statement balance on a card
- limit
- Credit limit on that card
- target
- Desired overall utilization percentage
How it works
- Add a row for each credit card with its current balance and its credit limit; the calculator computes that card utilization as balance divided by limit.
- It sums all balances and all limits to produce your overall utilization, the figure scoring models weigh most heavily.
- Set a target utilization percentage and the tool calculates the dollar amount you must pay down so your aggregate balance falls to that share of your total limit.
Worked example
Card A has a $500 balance on a $1,000 limit; Card B has $1,000 on a $4,000 limit. You want to reach 10% overall.
- Card A utilization = 500 ÷ 1000 = 50%; Card B = 1000 ÷ 4000 = 25%.
- Overall = (500 + 1000) ÷ (1000 + 4000) = 1500 ÷ 5000 = 30%.
- Target balance at 10% = 0.10 × 5000 = $500, so paydown = 1500 − 500 = $1,000.
Overall utilization is 30%; paying down $1,000 would bring it to the 10% target.
Frequently asked questions
- What utilization should I aim for?
- A common rule of thumb is to keep overall utilization under 30%, and people with the highest scores often stay below 10%. Lower is generally better, though using a card occasionally is fine.
- Does per-card or overall utilization matter more?
- Scoring models look at both. A maxed-out single card can hurt even if your aggregate ratio is low, so it is worth spreading balances or paying down the highest-utilization card first.
- When is utilization measured?
- Issuers typically report the balance on your statement closing date, not your due date. Paying before the statement closes can lower the balance that gets reported and reduce your utilization.
- Does closing a card affect utilization?
- Yes. Closing a card removes its limit from your total available credit, which can raise your overall utilization even if your balances do not change. Keep low-fee cards open to preserve available credit.