Skip to main content

Credit utilization

What percent of revolving limits is used, and how much paydown reaches 30% or 10%?

Your numbers

Utilization

34.2%

Headroom already available$15,800
Paydown to reach 30%$1,000
Paydown to reach 10%$5,800

Tip. Educational estimate with the assumptions listed on this page. Not tax, legal, or investment advice.

Assumptions

  • Installment loans are excluded. This is revolving utilization.
  • Scoring models differ; 30% and 10% are planning guardrails, not official cutoffs.
  • Authorized-user and business-card treatment varies.

Explore the numbers

Examples

Load a scenario, then change one input at a time.

Example 1

Typical

$8,200 on $24k limits.

Utilization

34.2%

Example 2

Mortgage shopper

Need to get under 10%.

Utilization

30%

Example 3

High util

One maxed card in the mix.

Utilization

81.8%

What this calculates

Calculate revolving utilization and the paydown needed to reach common 30% and 10% scoring guardrails.

How to use it

  1. Use statement balances the bureaus are likely to see, not today's app balance if it has not reported.
  2. If you are applying for a mortgage, 10% is a cleaner target than 30%.
  3. Paying before the statement date often helps more than paying after.

Common mistakes

  • Closing old cards and shrinking limits.
  • Maxing a store card while overall utilization looks fine.
  • Carrying a balance to 'build credit' at 20%+ APR.

Formula

Utilization = balances ÷ limits. Paydown to 30% = max(0, balances − 0.3 × limits).

FAQ

Is 0% utilization best?

Very low is good. Some people keep a small reported balance so the file shows activity. Do not pay interest for that.

Do mortgages count?

Not in this revolving ratio. They hit DTI instead.

Will this raise my score by X points?

No model here can promise points. It shows the ratio lenders still quote.

Related calculators

The questions people usually ask next.