Credit card balance scenario
Credit utilization calculator and paydown planner
Calculate per-card and combined credit utilization from entered balances and limits, then estimate paydown to a level you choose.
Enter balances and credit limits from the same point in time, then choose a utilization level you want to model. The planner reports each entered card ratio, the combined balance-to-limit ratio, and the paydown amounts that would reach your selected level. Your entries stay in this browser.
Enter at least one card balance and limit, then choose your own comparison level.
This arithmetic tool does not predict or guarantee a credit-score change, and it does not recommend a universal target. For each card, modeled paydown equals the amount by which its entered balance exceeds your selected percentage of that card's limit. For the combined ratio, it calculates the reduction in total balances needed to reach your selected percentage of total limits; this total may differ from adding each card's individual paydown. It excludes pending charges, interest, fees, issuer reporting dates, and scoring-model details.
How utilization is calculated
For an individual card, divide its balance by its credit limit. For several cards, divide the sum of their balances by the sum of their limits. The CFPB describes utilization as the amount of available revolving credit being used and explains how to calculate a card's ratio; scoring models can consider credit usage, but this planner does not estimate a score. Reviewed November 3, 2026.
For payoff timing and interest on one card, use the credit-card payoff calculator. For several debts, compare payoff order with the debt snowball and avalanche planner.
How it works
Enter each card balance and credit limit, leaving unused card rows blank. Choose your own utilization level to compare current ratios and modeled paydown amounts.
Good to know
How do I calculate credit utilization?
Divide a card balance by that card’s credit limit and multiply by 100. For the combined ratio, add the entered balances and divide by the sum of the entered limits. The CFPB toolkit explains this calculation.
How much would I need to pay to reach my selected level?
For each card, the estimate is the amount above your selected percentage of its limit. For the combined ratio, it is the amount by which total balances exceed that percentage of total limits. The combined amount can differ from summing card-level amounts because the aggregate calculation uses all entered limits together.
Will lowering this ratio change my credit score by a certain amount?
This calculator does not predict score changes. Credit scoring models and reported account information vary, and the CFPB toolkit describes utilization as one of several credit-score factors. No utilization level is presented here as a universal target.
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