Inputs
Example data table
| Currency | Total limit | Extra line | Posted | Pending | Holds | Fees | Payments | Credits | Buffer % | Check amount | Net available | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD | $5,000.00 | $0.00 | $1,200.00 | $300.00 | $150.00 | $25.00 | $200.00 | $100.00 | 5% | $250.00 | $3,443.75 | Within limit |
| USD | $8,000.00 | $500.00 | $4,100.00 | $600.00 | $200.00 | $50.00 | $400.00 | $0.00 | 8% | $900.00 | $3,634.00 | Within limit |
| EUR | €3,000.00 | €0.00 | €1,800.00 | €120.00 | €80.00 | €20.00 | €0.00 | €50.00 | 5% | €700.00 | €978.50 | Within limit |
| PKR | ₨200,000.00 | ₨0.00 | ₨135,000.00 | ₨15,000.00 | ₨5,000.00 | ₨1,500.00 | ₨12,000.00 | ₨0.00 | 10% | ₨25,000.00 | ₨49,950.00 | Within limit |
| GBP | £6,500.00 | £0.00 | £6,100.00 | £150.00 | £100.00 | £15.00 | £250.00 | £75.00 | 5% | £300.00 | £437.00 | Within limit |
Example outputs are computed with the same formulas and default options.
Formula used
- Facility limit = Total limit + Extra line (if any).
- Committed = Posted balance + Pending (optional) + Holds (optional) + Fees/interest.
- Inflows = Scheduled payments (optional) + Expected credits (optional).
- Gross available = Facility limit - Committed + Inflows.
- Safety buffer = max(Gross available, 0) x Buffer%.
- Net available = max(Gross available - Safety buffer, 0).
- Utilization = (Committed / Facility limit) x 100%.
- Decision: Within limit if Amount to check <= Net available.
How to use this calculator
- Enter your total limit and any extra approved line.
- Add your posted balance, plus pending and holds if desired.
- Optionally include scheduled payments and expected credits.
- Set a safety buffer to keep extra headroom.
- Enter the amount you want to check, then submit.
- Review status, utilization, and headroom, then export if needed.
For a stricter check, disable inflows and raise the buffer.
Facility limit and headroom snapshot
The calculator treats your usable facility as Total Limit plus any approved extra line. In the sample set, a 5,000 USD limit produces a 5,000 USD facility, while an 8,000 USD limit with a 500 USD extension yields 8,500 USD. This single figure anchors every availability check.
Committed exposure from balances, pending, and holds
Committed exposure is the amount already consuming capacity. It starts with the posted balance, then optionally adds pending transactions, authorization holds, and accrued fees. Example A totals 1,675 USD (1,200 + 300 + 150 + 25). Example E totals 6,365 GBP, leaving very little remaining room even before buffers.
Inflows scenario planning over a short horizon
Scheduled payments and expected credits can increase temporary headroom if you choose to include them. Example A includes 200 USD in payments and 100 USD in credits, for 300 USD inflows. Example D includes 12,000 PKR in payments and 0 PKR credits, which lifts gross availability without reducing committed exposure.
Safety buffer converts gross to net availability
Gross Available equals Facility minus Committed plus Inflows. A safety buffer is then applied only when gross availability is positive, creating a conservative Net Available. Example A has 3,625 USD gross, a 5% buffer of 181.25 USD, and 3,443.75 USD net. Example B applies an 8% buffer of 316 USD to 3,950 USD gross, producing 3,634 USD net.
Decision rule, headroom, and utilization signals
A transaction is within limit when the Amount to Check is less than or equal to Net Available. Example A checks 250 USD against 3,443.75 USD net, leaving 3,193.75 USD headroom. Utilization is Committed divided by Facility: 33.50% in Example A, 78.25% in Example D, and 97.92% in Example E. High utilization can still pass a small check, but raising the buffer helps protect against late posting or additional holds. Review settings before large purchases today.
FAQs
1) Why does the available limit differ from my app?
Issuers may post transactions later, release holds at different times, or exclude scheduled payments. Use this calculator as a conservative planning view, then confirm final availability in your issuer portal.
2) Should I include pending transactions?
If you want a strict check, include pending. If you are testing a scenario after settlement, you can exclude them. Including pending usually reduces net availability and lowers the chance of an unexpected decline.
3) What safety buffer should I use?
Many users start with 5% to 10% for everyday spending. Increase the buffer for travel, hotels, fuel holds, or when your statement period is ending and extra fees may appear.
4) Do scheduled payments immediately increase my limit?
Not always. Payments can take time to clear and may not raise your limit until they settle. If you are unsure, exclude payments and credits to model a worst-case availability.
5) How is utilization calculated here?
Utilization equals committed exposure divided by facility limit. Committed exposure includes posted balance, optional pending and holds, plus fees. Higher utilization indicates less flexibility and a higher need for a buffer.
6) Can I use this for multiple cards or lines?
Yes. Run separate checks per account, or combine them only if limits and balances truly share one facility. Keep currencies consistent and record each result using the export buttons.