Utilization Chart
Enter Your Revolving Accounts
Example Data Table
| Account | Limit | Balance | Utilization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card A | 4,000.00 | 900.00 | 22.50% |
| Card B | 2,500.00 | 600.00 | 24.00% |
| Card C | 1,500.00 | 350.00 | 23.33% |
| Totals | 8,000.00 | 1,850.00 | 23.13% |
Formula Used
- Per-account utilization:
(Balance ÷ Limit) × 100 - Overall utilization:
(Σ Balances ÷ Σ Limits) × 100 - Paydown needed to reach target:
max(0, TotalBalance − (Target% × TotalLimit)) - Limit increase needed to reach target:
max(0, (TotalBalance ÷ Target%) − TotalLimit)
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter each revolving account with its credit limit and current balance.
- Choose a target utilization percentage (commonly 30% or less).
- Click Calculate Utilization to see totals, ratios, and action estimates.
- Use the paydown and limit-increase figures to plan your next step.
- Download CSV or PDF to save or share results.
Utilization ratios and score sensitivity
Revolving utilization measures how much available credit is currently used. It is calculated as balance divided by limit. Many scoring systems react most when totals move above 30%, 50%, and 75%. For example, a $1,850 balance on $8,000 limits equals 23.13%. Moving from 25% to 45% on the same $8,000 limits implies balances rose by $1,600.
Portfolio versus per-card utilization
Lenders review both the combined ratio and the highest single-card ratio. A portfolio at 20% can still look strained if one card is 90% used. Splitting a $900 balance across two $2,000 cards drops each to 22.5%, even though the total stays $900. Smaller-limit cards can spike, so keeping each account under 50% reduces volatility.
Paydown planning with a target threshold
This calculator estimates paydown needed to hit a chosen target. If limits total $10,000 and your target is 25%, the target balance is $2,500. With $3,200 owed, the required reduction is $700. If you pay $175 per week, the target is reached in four weeks, assuming spending stays flat. Paying before the statement close can help the reported figure.
Limit management and realistic scenarios
When paydown is not immediate, higher limits can reduce the ratio if balances stay constant. With a $3,200 balance and a 25% target, the implied limit is $12,800, so a $2,800 increase would be needed from $10,000. Limit growth only helps if you avoid replacing the paid-down buffer with new purchases. Space requests out and keep utilization stable before applying.
Monitoring cadence and reporting discipline
Track utilization weekly, then confirm around statement dates. Exporting CSV supports trend tables, while PDF snapshots document progress for budgeting reviews. If your ratio swings from 18% to 35% each month, align payments to income timing and keep at least 10% unused on every card. Recording limits and balances by date also makes it easier to explain changes to a lender.
FAQs
1) What is credit utilization?
It is the percentage of revolving credit you are using. The basic calculation is total balances divided by total limits, multiplied by 100. Lower ratios generally signal more available credit and less short-term risk.
2) Should I focus on overall or per-card utilization?
Both matter. Overall utilization reflects your full revolving profile, while a single card near its limit can look risky. Aim to keep each card moderate and the total comfortably below your target.
3) Why can utilization rise after I make a payment?
Reporting dates vary by issuer. A new purchase, cash advance, fee, or interest charge can post after your payment. Also, some payments take a day or two to reduce the reported balance.
4) Does paying before the statement closes help?
Often, yes. Many issuers report the statement balance or a balance near the closing date. Paying earlier can lower the reported utilization, even if you still pay the remaining amount by the due date.
5) Will a credit limit increase always improve my ratio?
It can improve utilization if balances stay the same. However, higher limits help most when you keep spending stable and continue paying down. Frequent requests can be denied, so space them out.
6) Do closed cards affect utilization calculations?
Closed cards usually reduce available credit, which can raise utilization if balances remain. If the account had no balance and a high limit, closing it may increase your overall ratio unexpectedly.