Credit card limit calculator

Every credit card comes with a credit limit and is determined by the information you provide when applying. The card provider uses this information to arrive at a suitable credit limit.

There is no definite way to determine what your credit limit might be, as card providers often follow their own unique policies when deciding your credit limit. However, developing an understanding of how certain factors may determine your credit limit could help you make a more accurate estimate.

What is a credit card limit?

At its most basic, a credit limit is the largest balance you can hold on your credit card at any one time. It’s decided using the full range of information you give a credit provider, such as your income, debts and liabilities.

When you’re comparing your credit card options on Credit Card Finder, you’ll notice where available, we’ve included the maximum credit limit for a particular card. It’s important to note that this may not be the limit you end up with. For example, a credit card which features a maximum limit of $10,000 may only allow you to have $2,000.

Looking for features other than a high credit limit? Take our quiz to find the best fit.

Credit cards with a high credit limit

Providers rarely share credit limit ranges for their cards. If you’re hoping for a high credit limit, the cards in this table sometimes give higher-than-average limits according to users. As you might also observe, business cards with high limits are common thanks to the nature of business spending. However, the minimums and maximums are only estimates and don’t guarantee that you’ll receive a high credit limit when you apply.

Card	Min	Max
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express	$500	$100,000+ with pushing but $25,000 seems more likely
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express	N/A	$100,000+ with pushing but $25,000 seems more likely
Delta SkyMiles® Gold American Express Card	N/A	$50,000
The Platinum Card® from American Express	N/A	$100,000+ with pushing but $25,000 seems more likely
Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™	N/A	$25,000
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card	$5,000	$100,000
Chase Sapphire Reserve®	N/A	$78,000
Chase Freedom Unlimited®	$500	$24,000
Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card	$5,000	$50,000
Capital One® QuicksilverOne® Cash Rewards Credit Card	$300	$5,000
Discover it® Cash Back	$500	$25,000
Petal® 2 "Cash Back, No Fees" Visa® Credit Card	$500	$10,000
Wells Fargo Secured Credit Card	$300	$10,000

Compare high-limit credit cards

Secured credit card limits

Cards designed for people with less-than-perfect credit tend to have lower credit limits. With most secured credit cards, the amount you deposit becomes your limit. However, some secured cards such as the Capital One® Secured Mastercard® may offer a higher credit line with responsible use. This isn’t guaranteed, though, and the limits below should only be used as guidelines when choosing the best card for your spending habits.

Card	Min	Max
Green Dot primor® Mastercard® Gold Secured Credit Card	$200	$5,000
Applied Bank® Secured Visa® Gold Preferred® Credit Card	$200	$1,000
OpenSky® Secured Visa® Credit Card	$200	$3,000
UNITY Visa® Secured Credit Card	$250	$10,000
Discover it® Secured	$200	$2,500
Capital One® Secured Mastercard®	$200	$1,000
Wells Fargo Secured Credit Card	$300	$10,000

How to use an online credit limit calculator

Online credit card limit calculators can give you a vague idea of what your credit limit might look like. Unfortunately, it’s difficult to determine exactly what your credit limit is and you can’t be entirely sure of how your credit card provider will calculate your limit. Think of them as more of a “credit limit estimator.”

If you do end up using an online credit card limit calculator, bear in mind that the result should only work as an indication of what you can look forward to, and don’t expect your card provider to rely on similar parameters. At the end of the day, it’s your card provider who establishes exactly what your credit limit should be.

How can I calculate my potential credit limit?

There is, as mentioned, no concrete way to calculate probable credit limit and the process to arrive at a credit limit can vary from one credit card provider to the next. Taking into account aspects that affect your card’s credit limit, on the other hand, can help estimate your credit limit. Based on these factors, you can:

• Credit history. When you apply for a new card or an increase in an existing card’s limit you can expect the provider to refer to your credit file while making a decision. They do this in order to assess risk levels of lending to you. Details in your credit file like repayment history, outstanding debts, and unsuccessful applications for debt can have an impact on your credit limit.

• Income. Income is a definite consideration when setting credit limit, and a number of cards come with minimum income requirements. Your credit limit, in most instances, should stay in direct proportion to your income, where higher income normally translates into higher credit limits. Frequency and reliability of income can also affect your credit limit. That’s why self-employed individuals are usually considered high-risk by most card providers.

• The provider. Credit card providers can offer you different credit limits even though you submit exactly the same information through their applications. If you’ve banked with the provider in the past, a reliable history on your part can lead to a higher than usual credit limit. Some credit card providers list out aspects they look at when determining credit limits, which you can use for reference. Certain providers, like American Express, have stringent processes when it comes to arriving at credit limit levels, which you should factor in as well.

How to check your credit card limit

If you have an existing credit card and can’t remember your maximum limit, you can simply call your issuer or login to your account online if available. You can also find this information in the documentation you receive when you open your card account. If you’re unsure if this is what you’re credit limit should be, you can call your issuer.

How can I increase my credit limit?

If your credit card is not at its maximum allowed credit limit, you can consider applying for a limit increase. The exact steps you’ll need to perform to request an increase depend on your issuer, though you’ll want to have a few pieces of information at the ready. Read more about how to increase your credit limit.

Compare high-limit credit cards

Providers rarely share the credit limit ranges for their cards before you apply. If you’re looking for a high credit limit, users have found that the cards below tend to have ones that are higher-than-average.

What should I be wary of when changing my credit limit?

Increasing your card’s credit limit gives you access to more money as and when you need it, and decreasing it can help you keep your expenses in check. In either case, it is important that you account for the following.

• Overspending. An increased credit limit translates into you getting more money to spend, and this could lead to a build-up of debt that you may have issues repaying. The higher the credit limits, the higher the chances of overspending.
• More interest. The outstanding balance in your account that rolls over from one month to the next attracts interest, and an increased credit limit can work in increasing the outstanding balance, resulting in you paying more in the form of interest. If you don’t pay your account’s balance in full every month, a credit limit increase might not be a good option.
• Defaulting. An increased credit limit gives you more spending power, and, again, the more you spend, the more you have to repay. Apart from repaying the principal, you also have to pay interest, which, over time, can add up to a sizeable sum. If, at any point, your outgoings exceed your income, you stand the risk of defaulting.
• Not enough money. Before you ask for a decrease in your card’s credit limit, establish if you’ve ever used the card beyond the new limit you seek. If you have, you might find yourself in need of the money again, and with a lower limit, you might find yourself at a loss during an emergency.

Bottom line

The credit limit your card comes with defines how much you can spend using your card, and while changing a card’s existing limit is possible, it requires several considerations. Some of the factors that can affect your application for a credit limit increase include your income, your creditworthiness, and the card provider in question. While increasing your credit limit may seem like the resolution to your financial problems, there are a number of considerations you should also be wary of before applying for an increase.

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Frequently asked questions

• How much time does it take to apply for a credit limit increase?

  With credit card providers that accept online applications for an increase in credit limit, you can complete your application in around five to 10 minutes, provided you have all the required information close at hand.

• How much time would the card provider take to review my application?

  This can vary from one card provider to the next, where while some inform you of their decision almost immediately, some others can take a few days.

• Are all credit cardholders eligible for credit limit increases?

  New credit card accounts typically don’t qualify for credit limit increases, and you’ll have to wait for three to six months. Once you get an increase or decrease in your credit limit, you cannot request another one in the next three to six months, depending on your provider.

• Can I request a specific increase in my card’s credit limit?

  Yes, you can, but this should be within the maximum allowed limit of the given card, and it remains subject to approval.

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