Credit Utilization Calculator

The balance on your revolving credit as a percentage of the limit. £1,000 across £6,000 of limits is 16.7% overall — but if £900 of it sits on a £1,000 card, that card is at 90%.

Lower is generally better, with under 30% commonly cited and under 10% associated with the strongest scores. Zero on every card is not necessarily best, since some models want to see credit being used and repaid.

Yes. Scoring models generally consider both the aggregate and the highest individual figure, so one card near its limit is visible even when the total is comfortable. Spreading a balance can improve a score without repaying anything.

Usually on the statement date rather than the due date. Paying before the statement closes is what lowers the reported figure — paying by the due date avoids interest but may report the full balance.

It removes that limit from the total, which raises overall utilisation on the same balance. Closing an unused card with a large limit can lower a score for exactly this reason.

Mechanically it lowers utilisation, which usually helps. The risk is behavioural rather than arithmetic — a higher limit only helps if the balance does not rise to meet it.

No. A self-check is a soft enquiry and is not visible to lenders. Hard enquiries from credit applications are the ones that register, and they fade over time.

Usually within a billing cycle of the balance changing, once the lender reports it. Paying down a balance can improve a score within a month or two, which makes it one of the fastest available improvements.

Several with low balances usually produce lower utilisation than one carrying the same total, because the aggregate limit is larger. The risk is behavioural rather than arithmetic.

Charge cards with no preset limit are usually handled differently by scoring models and often excluded. Where a limit is reported, they generally count like any revolving account.

Yes, and it is the ideal pattern — the account shows use and prompt repayment with no interest paid. Carrying a balance to build credit is a persistent and expensive myth.

Payment history is typically the largest factor, ahead of utilisation. Length of history, credit mix and recent applications follow. A single missed payment usually outweighs any utilisation improvement.