Credit utilization is the share of your credit card limits that you are using. Type your balances and limits to see your rate, how much to pay to reach 30%, 10%, or 0%, and what closing a card would do to the math.
Step 1: type your totals
Add up the balances and credit limits on your credit cards (revolving accounts). Use the numbers on your statements or free credit reports.
Optional: what if I pay this much?
Type a payment and we'll show your new utilization (assuming the limit stays the same).
Optional: what if I close a card?
Closing a card lowers your total limit. If your balances stay the same, utilization goes up. Type the limit you'd remove (an unused card's limit).
Not a credit score and not advice. This page only divides the numbers you type (balances ÷ limits). Scoring companies use more than utilization, and FICO does not publish a single official cutoff. The CFPB says experts advise keeping use of credit at no more than 30% of your total credit limit (CFPB). Your real score needs your credit reports.
Utilization = $3,000 ÷ $10,000 = 30.0%. That sits exactly on the CFPB's cited expert guideline of no more than 30%.
To reach 10%: pay about $2,000.00.
To reach 0%: pay about $3,000.00 (the full balance).
If you instead close an unused card with a $5,000 limit and keep the $3,000 balance on the remaining $5,000 limit, utilization becomes 60.0% ($3,000 ÷ $5,000).
What utilization is. It is how much of your available revolving credit you are using: balances ÷ credit limits. Example: $3,000 on $10,000 in limits is 30% (CFPB; CFPB on closing a card).
Why scores care. Credit scoring models look at how close you are to being "maxed out." The CFPB says: try to keep balances low compared to your total credit limit, and "experts advise keeping your use of credit at no more than 30 percent of your total credit limit" (CFPB).
Where it sits in FICO. "Amounts owed" is 30% of a FICO Score for the general population and includes how much of your limits you are using (myFICO, checked 2026-10-13). Utilization is one piece of that category, not the whole score.
Paying in full helps utilization. You do not need to carry a balance to have a good score. Paying the balance in full each month helps keep utilization low (CFPB; CFPB on paying in full).
Timing matters. Scores can be calculated on a day your reported balance is high, even if you pay in full soon after (CFPB).
Closing a card can raise utilization. If balances stay the same and total limits fall, the ratio goes up (CFPB).
The formulas (nothing hidden)
Utilization % = (total revolving balances ÷ total revolving credit limits) × 100, rounded to one decimal place.
Pay to reach a target % = max(0, balance − limit × target/100).
After a payment = (balance − payment) ÷ same limit (payment cannot take the balance below $0 here).
After closing a limit = same balance ÷ (limit − closed limit), only if some limit remains.
Installment loans (auto, mortgage, student) are not included in this revolving utilization math. Some scoring models also look at per-card utilization; this tool uses the combined totals you type.
What this tool does not do
It does not calculate or predict your credit score.
It does not pull your credit reports. You type the numbers.
It does not say whether to close a card, open a card, or pay a certain amount.
The 30% figure is the CFPB's citation of what experts advise, not a published FICO cutoff.
The CFPB says experts advise keeping your use of credit at no more than 30% of your total credit limit. Lower is generally better for this factor; paying balances in full keeps utilization low. This is not a published FICO cutoff.
How do you calculate credit utilization?
Add up revolving balances, add up revolving credit limits, then divide: utilization % = balances ÷ limits × 100. Example: $3,000 ÷ $10,000 = 30%.
Does closing a credit card hurt utilization?
It can. If your balances stay the same and your total limit falls, utilization rises. The CFPB explains this when discussing whether to close a card.
Is utilization the same as my credit score?
No. Utilization is one input inside the "amounts owed" category, which is 30% of a FICO Score for the general population (myFICO). This tool only does the utilization arithmetic.
Is this financial advice?
No. It is arithmetic on numbers you type plus dated CFPB and myFICO facts.
Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.