# Credit Utilization Calculator

URL: https://speedycalculator.com/calculators/finance/credit-utilization/
Last updated: 2026-10-25

> The credit utilization calculator works out your overall credit utilization ratio – total credit card balances divided by total credit limits – and the utilization of each card, which make up a large part of your credit score.

## Inputs

- Card 1 balance
- Card 1 limit
- Card 2 balance
- Card 2 limit
- Card 3 balance
- Card 3 limit
- Card 4 balance
- Card 4 limit
- Card 5 balance
- Card 5 limit
- Target utilization (%)

## Results

- Total balances
- Total credit limits
- Overall utilization
- Card 1 utilization
- Card 2 utilization
- Card 3 utilization
- Pay down to reach the target
- Rating

## Formula

```
Utilization = balance ÷ credit limit × 100 (per card and overall)
Balance to reach a target = target % × total limit
```

## Explanation

Utilization counts for about 30% of a FICO score. Keeping it below 30% is good and below 10% is excellent. Paying before the statement date lowers the balance reported to the bureaus.

### How to use the Credit Utilization Calculator

- **Card 1 balance**
- **Card 1 limit**
- **Card 2 balance**
- **Card 2 limit**
- **Card 3 balance**
- **Card 3 limit**
- **Card 4 balance**
- **Card 4 limit**
- **Card 5 balance**
- **Card 5 limit**
- **Target utilization**

Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.

### How it works

Enter the balance and limit of up to five cards and your target utilization.

### Tips

- Compare loans by APR and total cost, not just the monthly payment.
- Extra payments go straight to principal and can save a lot of interest.
- Pay off the highest-rate debt first if you want to save the most money.
- Check for prepayment penalties before paying a loan off early.

### Common mistakes to avoid

- Stretching a loan term to lower the payment without seeing the extra interest.
- Paying only the minimum on credit cards.
- Forgetting fees that are rolled into the loan.

### Inputs explained

FieldWhat to enterCard 1 balanceAmount in your currencyCard 1 limitAmount in your currencyCard 2 balanceAmount in your currencyCard 2 limitAmount in your currencyCard 3 balanceAmount in your currencyCard 3 limitAmount in your currencyCard 4 balanceAmount in your currencyCard 4 limitAmount in your currencyCard 5 balanceAmount in your currencyCard 5 limitAmount in your currencyTarget utilizationIn %

### What each result means

- **Total balances** = [Card 1 balance] + [Card 2 balance] + [Card 3 balance] + [Card 4 balance] + [Card 5 balance]
- **Total credit limits** = [Card 1 limit] + [Card 2 limit] + [Card 3 limit] + [Card 4 limit] + [Card 5 limit]
- **Overall utilization** = [Total balances]÷[Total credit limits]×100
- **Pay down to reach the target** = max([Total balances] - [Total credit limits]×[Target utilization]÷100, 0)

### Example values

How the main result changes when **Card 1 balance** changes and everything else stays at the example values above:

Card 1 balanceOverall utilization (%)60017.590021.251,200251,50028.751,80032.52,40040

## Worked example

Inputs — Card 1 balance: $1,200; Card 1 limit: $5,000; Card 2 balance: $800; Card 2 limit: $3,000; Card 3 balance: $0; Card 3 limit: $0; Card 4 balance: $0; Card 4 limit: $0; Card 5 balance: $0; Card 5 limit: $0; Target utilization: 10 %.

Results — Total balances = $2,000.00; Total credit limits = $8,000.00; **Overall utilization = 25 %**; Card 1 utilization = 24 %; Card 2 utilization = 26.67 %; Card 3 utilization = 0 %; Pay down to reach the target = $1,200.00; Rating = Good (under 30%).

## FAQ

**What is a good credit utilization ratio?**
Under 30%, ideally under 10%.

**Does closing a card hurt utilization?**
It can, because your total limit falls.

**Is utilization per card or overall?**
Both are considered by scoring models.

**What formula does the Credit Utilization Calculator use?**
Utilization = balance ÷ credit limit × 100 (per card and overall).


## Sources

- [Consumer Financial Protection Bureau](https://www.consumerfinance.gov/)