Credit Utilization Calculator
Utilization is one of the biggest factors in your credit score. See your ratio and exactly how much to pay down to reach the 30% and 10% thresholds.
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Learn moreWhy the 30% rule matters
Credit utilization — the share of your available credit you’re using — is the second-biggest factor in your FICO score after payment history. Keeping it under 30% is the common rule, but the highest scores usually sit under 10%. It’s also fast to fix: pay down balances and the score can move within a month.
How it’s calculated & sources
Utilization = total balances ÷ total limits. We show the dollar paydown needed to drop to the 30% and 10% thresholds across your combined limits.
Benchmark: keep utilization under 30%, ideally under 10%, for the best scores (FICO).
Results update as you type and are general estimates, not personalized financial, tax, medical or legal advice. Verify with a professional.
Worked example
$3,500 of balances against $12,000 of limits is 29% utilization — just under the 30% line. Paying down about $2,300 would reach the 10% sweet spot.
Frequently asked questions
Per-card or overall?
Both matter — scoring looks at your overall ratio and your highest individual card. Don’t let any single card run near its limit.
Does paying before the statement help?
Yes — the balance reported to the bureaus is usually your statement balance, so paying down before the statement closes lowers the utilization that gets scored.