Credit Score Tips: Improve Your Credit Utilization Ratio Without Paying Down Cards (2024)

FAQs

Credit Score Tips: Improve Your Credit Utilization Ratio Without Paying Down Cards? ›

Pay down debt

Reduce your credit card balances by paying more than the minimum each month. Consider making two or more payments on your credit cards throughout the month—even small, extra payments can speed up debt payoff and help keep your utilization ratio low throughout the billing cycle.

Pay down debt

Reduce your credit card balances by paying more than the minimum each month. Consider making two or more payments on your credit cards throughout the month—even small, extra payments can speed up debt payoff and help keep your utilization ratio low throughout the billing cycle.

What is the 15/3 rule? The 15/3 rule, a trending credit card repayment method, suggests paying your credit card bill in two payments—both 15 days and 3 days before your payment due date. Proponents say it helps raise credit scores more quickly, but there's no real proof.

Lower utilization rates are better for your credit scores, and 30% could be better than 50%, 70% or 90%. However, a lower utilization rate might be even better for your credit scores. People in the highest credit score range tend to have utilization rates in the single digits.

While a 0% utilization is certainly better than having a high CUR, it's not as good as something in the single digits. Depending on the scoring model used, some experts recommend aiming to keep your credit utilization rate at 10% (or below) as a healthy goal to get the best credit score.

A general rule of thumb is to keep your credit utilization ratio below 30%.

Lenders typically prefer that you use no more than 30% of the total revolving credit available to you. Carrying more debt may suggest that you have trouble repaying what you borrow and could negatively impact your credit scores.

Your credit utilization ratio is only one factor that makes up your credit score, and making multiple payments each month is unlikely to make a big difference. One scenario where it might have an impact is if you have a relatively low overall credit limit compared to the amount of purchases you make each month.

The 15/3 credit hack gets its name from the practice of making your monthly payment in two installments: the first half 15 days before your due date and the second half three days before your due date. This hack, popular on various social media platforms, claims to be a shortcut to good credit.

Paying early could help your credit

For example, if you have a $5,000 credit limit and your balance is $2,000, your utilization is 40%. Generally, the lower your utilization, the better, and utilization above 30% could be damaging to your credit scores. This is where changing up your credit card payment comes in.

Will 50% credit utilization hurt me? ›

Using more than 30% of your available credit on your cards can hurt your credit score. The lower you can get your balance relative to your limit, the better for your score. (It's best to pay it off every month if you can.)

Summary: Here are six ways to raise your credit score 40 points fast: check for errors on your report, remove late payments, reduce credit card debt, become an authorized user, make payments twice a month, and build credit with your credit card.

Having Your Credit Limit Lowered

Recurring late or missed payments, excessive credit utilization or not using a credit card for a long time could prompt your credit card company to lower your credit limit. This may hurt your credit score by increasing your credit utilization.

Bottom line. If you have a credit card balance, it's typically best to pay it off in full if you can. Carrying a balance can lead to expensive interest charges and growing debt.

Using more of your credit card balance than usual — even if you pay on time — can reduce your score until a new, lower balance is reported the following month. Closed accounts and lower credit limits can also result in lower scores even if your payment behavior has not changed.

One of the best things you can do to improve your credit score is to pay your debts on time and in full whenever possible. Payment history makes up a significant chunk of your credit score, so it's important to avoid late payments.

A general rule of thumb is to keep utilization under 30%, but lower is even better. If you're paying off your credit card in full each month anyway, try to keep your overall utilization under 10% instead. Additionally, some utilization is actually better than 0% utilization.

In general, it is advised to keep the utilisation under 30% of the overall credit limit.

The less of your available credit you use, the better it is for your credit score (assuming you are also paying on time). Most experts recommend using no more than 30% of available credit on any card. Our calculator shows you where you stand. Don't know your limit?

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau recommends keeping your credit utilization under 30%. If you have a card with a credit limit of $1,000, try to keep your balance below $300.