Credit Utilization Calculator
The share of your credit limits you are using, overall and on each card, and how much to pay before your statement dates to bring it down.
Credit utilization for common balances and total limits
| Balance | $2,000 limit | $5,000 limit | $10,000 limit | $25,000 limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $200 | 10% | 4% | 2% | 1% |
| $500 | 25% | 10% | 5% | 2% |
| $1,000 | 50% | 20% | 10% | 4% |
| $2,500 | 125% | 50% | 25% | 10% |
| $5,000 | 250% | 100% | 50% | 20% |
The most you can have reported and stay under 30% or 10%
| Total limit | Under 30% | Under 10% |
|---|---|---|
| $1,000 | $300 | $100 |
| $2,500 | $750 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $1,500 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $3,000 | $1,000 |
| $15,000 | $4,500 | $1,500 |
| $25,000 | $7,500 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $15,000 | $5,000 |
How this calculator works
Utilization is the balance reported on your cards divided by their credit limits. Scoring models look at it overall and on each card, so one maxed-out card can count against you even when the total is low.
Issuers usually report the balance on your statement closing date, not the due date. Paying before the statement closes lowers the reported balance; paying later still avoids interest but doesn't change what was reported.
What it assumes
- The balance you enter is the one that will be reported.
- Scoring models differ and no threshold is official. Under 30% is the common advice, and people with the highest scores tend to use under 10%.
- Most scores look only at the latest reported balances. Some newer models (FICO 10T, VantageScore 4.0) also consider your balances over time.
Questions people ask
What is a good credit utilization ratio?
Lower is better. Under 30% is the usual advice, and people with top scores tend to keep it under 10%. It is one of the biggest factors in credit scores, after payment history.
How do I calculate my credit utilization?
Add up your card balances, add up their limits, and divide: $2,500 of balances on $10,000 of limits is 25%. Do the same for each card on its own.
When do credit card companies report balances?
Usually once a month, on the statement closing date. To lower the balance that gets reported, pay before that date, not just by the due date.
Does closing a credit card raise utilization?
Often, yes: it removes that card's limit from your total, so the same balances make up a bigger share of less credit.
Does utilization affect my score permanently?
In most scoring models, no: they read your latest balances, so paying down lifts the score once the lower balance is reported. Some newer models also weigh how your balances have trended.
Terms explained
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Sources
Updated by the RateHerald team. The maths is tested against worked examples; report a problem.