Saifu

Calculators

Credit utilisation calculator

Utilisation is how much of your total card limit you are using. A lower figure usually helps your credit score. Leave a card blank to skip it.

Card 1
Card 2
Card 3
Card 4

Use the balance on your statement date. That is the figure most banks report to the credit bureaus.

Overall utilisation–
Pay to get under 30%–

Each card against its limit

Why utilisation matters

TransUnion CIBIL lists high credit utilisation as one of the things that can lower a score and advises keeping it low. CIBIL does not give a target. Banks such as Federal Bank and Axis Bank suggest staying below 30% of your limit.

Utilisation is read from what your banks report to the bureaus, usually your statement balance. Since January 2025 lenders report every fortnight, so a high balance can show up faster than before. Paying part of the bill before the statement date lowers the reported figure even if you always pay in full.

Ways to bring it down

  • Pay part of the balance before the statement is generated.
  • Spread big spends across cards so no single card runs near its limit.
  • Ask for a higher limit on a card you have held for a while. That can mean a hard enquiry at some banks, so ask first.
  • Do not close your oldest card just because you rarely use it. Its limit and its age both help.

Questions

Is 0% utilisation best?

Not always. Some use, paid on time, shows lenders you handle credit. A low figure such as under 10% to 30% is what most lenders describe as healthy.

Does each card count separately?

Both the overall figure and individual cards near their limit can matter. Keep every card comfortably below its limit.

Do EMIs on my card count?

Yes. An EMI blocks part of your limit until it is repaid, so it adds to the amount used.

Sources

For illustration only. Nothing you enter leaves your browser.

Spot a mistake on this page? Tell us