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What is credit utilisation? How much of your credit you use, and why it matters

By SendPay Business · · 2 min read

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Credit utilisation is the share of your available credit that you are using, such as how much of your credit card limits your balances take up. It is one of the things lenders and credit reference agencies look at when judging how you handle credit.

How to work it out

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Per card and overall

Utilisation is looked at for each card and across all of them. One card near its limit can stand out even when the overall figure is low.

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How it is reported

Lenders usually report your balance to the credit reference agencies around your statement date, so that is the figure that counts, even if you pay in full afterwards. Paying some of the balance before the statement date lowers what is reported.

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Bringing it down

Paying balances down is the most direct way. A higher limit also lowers utilisation if spending stays the same, though applying for new credit can have its own effect. Each agency scores differently, so there is no single figure that guarantees a good score.

Where SendPay fits

SendPay platforms include GBP, EUR and USD accounts and international transfers under your own brand, powered by licensed partners. SendPay doesn't offer lending.

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How it works

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SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank. Accounts, cards and payments are powered by licensed partners.

Questions people ask

How do I work out my credit utilisation?

Enter your balances and limits into the free calculator.

Credit utilisation calculator →
How long to clear a credit card?

See how long a balance takes to pay off, and the interest.

Credit card payoff calculator →
What is a credit score?

The number lenders use to judge how you handle credit.

Credit scores →
What is loan-to-value?

The size of a loan compared with what it is secured on.

Loan-to-value →

Read next

Spotted a mistake or something out of date? and we'll fix it. How our guides are made

This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. SendPay Business is a technology company, not a bank, and does not take deposits; regulated services on the platforms are provided by licensed partners. Other companies named in this guide are reference points only and are not affiliated with SendPay Business.