Credit Utilization: Per-Card vs Overall
Two numbers, both counted
Credit scoring weighs utilization two ways: your overall ratio (total balances divided by total limits across all cards) and your per-card ratio on each account. Aggregate utilization carries the most weight, but a single card near its limit can still ding your score even when your overall number looks fine.
Why a maxed card hurts
If one card is at 90 percent of its limit while others sit empty, models can flag that individual card as a risk signal regardless of the low aggregate. So spreading a balance across cards, or paying down the most-utilized card first, can help your score even if your total owed does not change.
How to manage both
Keep every card and your total under 30 percent, ideally under 10. Levers: pay down before the statement closes so a lower number reports, request a credit limit increase to lower the ratio, and avoid concentrating spending on one card near its limit. See how to improve your score.
Frequently asked questions
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