Credit Utilization Ratio Calculator
See your total credit utilization and how far you are from 30%
Credit utilization ratio calculator FAQs
What is credit utilization and why does it matter?
Credit utilization is the share of your revolving credit limits that you are using. Most scoring models see lower utilization as lower risk. Staying well below about 30% overall is a common rule of thumb for keeping your score optics healthy.
Should I add every credit card I have?
For a realistic picture, include all open credit cards that report to the bureaus. Add up the most recent statement balances for each card and the corresponding limits, then plug those totals into the calculator.
Is utilization calculated per card or across all cards?
Scoring models usually look at both: utilization on individual cards and total utilization across all revolving accounts. This calculator focuses on the overall ratio, which is a simple way to track your big picture usage.
Why does everyone talk about 30% and 10%?
Many lenders and education sites suggest keeping total utilization under 30%, and ideally under 10% for stronger optics. They are not hard rules, but helpful waypoints for deciding how much to pay down before a statement closes.
Does paying before the statement date change utilization?
Often yes. Scores are usually based on balances that are reported by your card issuers, which tends to happen around the statement date. Paying earlier can lower the balance that is reported, which lowers the utilization that shows up on your credit reports.
Is this financial or credit repair advice?
No. This is an educational planning tool that helps you visualize how balances and payments affect utilization. Your score also depends on history, new credit, mix of accounts, and other factors. For personalized guidance, talk to your lender or a qualified advisor.
How to use this credit utilization ratio calculator
This credit utilization ratio calculator is built to be simple and fast. Instead of entering every card one by one, you just add up two totals: how much you owe on your credit cards and how much total credit limit you have. From there the tool shows your current utilization %, how far you are from common 30% and 10% targets, and how an extra payment would shift the numbers.
1. Add total balances across all credit cards
Start by adding the balances from your latest card statements or app views. Include only revolving credit like personal credit cards and store cards, not installment loans. Type the combined total into Total card balances so the calculator can see how much of your available credit is being used.
2. Add total credit limits for those same cards
Next, add up the credit limits for the same set of cards. Put that combined number into Total credit limits. The calculator divides balances by limits to get your overall utilization, then compares it to 30% and 10% markers so you can see whether you are currently high, moderate, or low.
3. Enter an optional extra payment to test scenarios
If you plan to pay more than your minimums, add that amount to Planned extra payment. The tool models a lower balance after that payment and shows your after-payment utilization, along with how much more you would need to pay to reach 30% or 10% overall.
Use this calculator when you are planning payoff moves, deciding which card to focus on, or timing payments before a big loan application. It will not change your score by itself, but it does translate balances into a clear percentage you can manage over time.
How the credit utilization math works
The calculator uses straightforward percentage math. Let B be your total credit card balances in USD, L your total credit limits, and P your planned extra payment.
Current utilization % = (B ÷ L) × 100
After a payment, the modeled balance becomes B′ = max(0, B − P), and the after-payment utilization is:
After-payment utilization % = (B′ ÷ L) × 100
To see how far you are from 30% or 10%, the calculator works out the maximum balance you could carry at those levels and subtracts that from your current balance:
Max balance at 30% = 0.30 × L
Extra payment to reach 30% ≈ max(0, B − 0.30 × L)
The same logic is used for 10%. All numbers are rounded to two decimal places and treated as estimates, not exact billing or reporting figures. Issuers, bureaus, and scoring models may use slightly different snapshots and rules.
Credit utilization and score education resources
- Experian: Credit utilization rate – Overview of how utilization is calculated and why it matters.
- myFICO: What’s in your credit score – Explains the major factors that commonly influence FICO® scores.