Credit utilization calculator
Add every revolving account. See your overall and per-card utilization, plus exactly how much to pay down to hit the score-friendly thresholds.
Your credit cards
Add the balance and credit limit on every revolving account.
25%
Good (10–29%)
$2,000 balance / $8,000 total limit
Solid range. Below 10% is the next bump.
To reach 30% utilization
$0
to pay down
To reach 10% utilization
$1,200
to pay down
The thresholds that matter
The most common credit-scoring models look at utilization in roughly five tiers: under 10% (excellent), 10–29% (good), 30–49% (fair), 50–74% (high), and 75%+ (maxed). The biggest jumps in score impact tend to come at the 30% and 10% thresholds. Both your overall utilization across all cards and your per-card utilization are weighted, so a single near-maxed card can pull your score down even if your total ratio looks fine.
Three fast moves to lower utilization
- Pay before the statement closes. Issuers report whatever balance is on the account when the statement cuts. Pay it down before that date and a lower utilization gets reported.
- Request a credit limit increase. Many issuers grant CLIs with a soft pull, no score impact. A higher limit on the same balance lowers utilization.
- Don't close paid-off cards. Closing removes the limit from your denominator and often raises overall utilization. Keep them open with a small recurring charge to keep them active.
Frequently asked questions
What is credit utilization?+
Credit utilization is the percentage of your available revolving credit that you're currently using. If your total card limit is $10,000 and your total balance is $2,500, your utilization is 25%. It's the second-largest factor in most FICO and VantageScore models, after payment history.
What's a good credit utilization rate?+
Below 30% overall is generally considered good. Below 10% is the score-maxing zone. Both your overall utilization and your per-card utilization are measured by scoring models, so a single maxed card can hurt even if your overall ratio is low.
When does utilization get reported?+
Most card issuers report your statement balance, meaning whatever balance is on your account at the end of each billing cycle. If you want to lower utilization for a credit pull (mortgage, auto loan, etc.), pay your balance down before the statement closes, not just before the due date.
Does paying off a card and closing it help my utilization?+
Closing a card removes its credit limit from the denominator, which usually raises your overall utilization. Paying off the card and keeping it open is almost always better for your score.
Can asking for a credit limit increase improve my utilization?+
Yes, a higher limit on the same balance reduces utilization. Many issuers will grant a limit increase with a soft pull (no credit-score impact). It's one of the lowest-effort credit moves available.
How fast does paying down a balance show up on my score?+
Once the new lower balance is reported by the issuer (next statement cycle, typically within 30 days), the change usually shows up on your next score refresh. Score improvements from utilization can show in as little as a single billing cycle.
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The Debt Defense Kit
Lowering utilization helps active accounts. If you also have collection accounts, the Defense Kit handles the other side, getting unverifiable accounts removed entirely. 10 documents in total: federal and California-specific validation letters, the inadequate-response follow-up, the credit bureau dispute pack, the cease & desist, the zombie debt re-validation, the phone call script, the how-to guide with the 90-day playbook, and the complaint cheat sheet.
Important disclaimer
The Debt Defense Kit and its free tools provide educational templates and information about consumer rights under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. §1692 et seq.) and related state consumer protection laws. They are not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Individual circumstances vary. Consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific matter. Testimonials reflect individual experiences and do not guarantee similar results.