Credit utilization calculator
Utilization — your balances divided by your limits — is one of the biggest factors in your credit score after payment history. See your ratio and the exact paydown needed to hit common targets.
Your utilization
Scoring models also look at utilization on each individual card, so one maxed-out card can hurt even if your overall ratio is low.
Why 30% and 10%?
There's no official cutoff published by FICO or VantageScore, but credit educators and the bureaus commonly cite keeping utilization under 30% as a guideline, with under 10% typically associated with the highest scores. Utilization has no "memory" in most scoring models — once your reported balance drops, the score impact updates with it.
A timing trick worth knowing
Card issuers usually report your statement balance to the bureaus, not your balance after you pay. Paying most of your balance a few days before the statement closes can lower the utilization that actually gets reported — useful before a mortgage or auto loan application.