Paydown order tool

This is the Renew step as a calculator. List your cards, and the tool orders them by utilization, which is each balance divided by its limit. The highest percentage card gets your extra money first, after every minimum is paid. The math is shown for every number, because a plan you can check is a plan you can trust. Everything runs in your browser and nothing is stored or sent.

Your cards

Extra money you can put toward the first card this month, beyond all minimums ($, optional)

Why utilization order

Two $900 balances are not the same problem. On a $1,000 limit that is 90 percent utilization. On a $10,000 limit it is 9 percent. Scoring models read high per-card percentages as risk, so the order here pays the highest percentages down first. Paying the highest interest rate first usually costs less in total interest, and the tool shows you that order too when it differs, so the choice is yours with both numbers in front of you. Read the high utilization guide for the full explanation and the honest limits of the common 30 percent rule of thumb.

Educational information only. This tool provides general educational information and arithmetic, not financial advice. It does not promise that any payment order or utilization level will produce any particular credit score or outcome. Results vary and are not guaranteed.