Free Tool

Credit Utilization Calculator

Utilization — your balance vs. your credit limit — is the second biggest factor in your credit score. See your current ratio, your score impact estimate, and exactly how much to pay to hit 30%, 10%, or any target.

Your cards
3 cards
Target utilization
1% (ideal)30% (max safe)
Overall Utilization
24%
Good — aim for under 10% for best scores
UtilizationModerate impact
0%30%50%+
$8,460
Total balance
$35,000
Total credit limit
$1,960
Pay this to reach 10%
$26,540
Available credit
Utilization bands & score impact

What utilization actually affects

Utilization is ~30% of your FICO score — second only to payment history. Here's what lenders actually see.

Two utilization numbers matter

✓
Overall utilization — all balances ÷ all limits combined. This is what our calculator shows.
✓
Per-card utilization — each card is scored individually too. Even one maxed-out card hurts, even if your overall % is fine.
Under 10% Excellent

Best possible impact on your score. Ideal before applying for a mortgage or auto loan.

10–29% Good

Solid range for everyday use. Minor negative effect on score — acceptable for most situations.

30–49% Moderate risk

Starts hurting your score noticeably. Lenders may see you as higher risk.

50%+ High risk

Significant negative impact. Credit applications will be harder to approve at favorable rates.

Utilization FAQ