Your credit utilization ratio is one of those things you probably don't spend much time thinking about. Heck, you may not even know what a credit utilization ratio is. In that case, here's a primer.

Investopedia contributors come from a range of backgrounds, and over 25 years there have been thousands of expert writers and editors who have contributed. Thomas J. Brock is a CFA and CPA with more ...

Discover what a utilization fee is and how it applies when lenders charge it to borrowers who exceed certain credit limits on lines or loans.

Using no more than 30% of your credit limits is a guideline — and using less is better for your score. Many, or all, of the products featured on this page are from our advertising partners who ...

A low credit utilization ratio indicates that you are not overly dependent on credit and are more likely to be a responsible borrower. Basically, lenders use your credit score to determine your risk ...

Keeping this ratio low can give a big boost to your credit score Written By Written by Contributor, Buy Side Michelle Lambright Black is a contributor to Buy Side and credit expert specializing in ...

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WASHINGTON — When it comes to calculating your credit score, a lot of factors go into it. Your payment history, paying bills on time and the length of credit history all play a big part in calculating ...