Credit card limit calculator

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. Because of that, take any information you get from online credit limit calculators with a grain of salt.

What you can do, however, is learn how certain factors determine your credit limit. This can help you make a more accurate estimate.

How can I calculate my potential credit limit?

As mentioned, there is 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. Here’s what card providers take into account.

• Credit history. Details in your credit report like repayment history, outstanding debts, and unsuccessful applications for debt can have an impact on your credit limit.

• Income. Your credit limit, in most instances, stays in direct proportion to your income, where higher income normally translates into higher credit limits. The frequency and reliability of income can also affect your credit limit.

• The card 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.

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 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.

If your credit card limit is not enough for your needs, you can consider requesting a credit limit increase.

Credit cards with a high credit limit

Providers rarely share credit limit ranges for their cards, which makes it hard to make an accurate estimate on what you’ll get. The maximum limits you find online are mostly anecdotal.

Read the full guide on comparing high limit cards by type:

• Unsecured credit cards
• Secured credit cards
• Business credit cards

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.

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Name	Product	Filter values	Rewards	Purchase APR	Annual fee
Blue Cash Preferred® Card from American Express			6% on select US streaming services, 3% on transit and US gas stations, 6% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 annually, then 1% after that and on all other purchases (redeem as statement credit)	0% intro for the first 12 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)	$0 intro annual fee for the first year ($95 thereafter)	Apply now View details	Earn up to $350. In your first 6 months, you can earn a $150 statement credit when you spend $3,000, and earn 20% back on Amazon purchases made with your card, up to $200 total. Having 6 months to earn a welcome offer is a rare benefit as most cards give you only 3. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express			3% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year (then 1%), 2% at US gas stations and select US department stores and 1% on all other purchases (redeem as statement credit)	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)	$0	Apply now View details	Earn up to $250. You'll get 20% back on Amazon.com purchases in the first six months for up to $150 back, and $100 after you spend $2,000 in the first six months. This is a higher-than-average welcome offer for a card with no annual fee. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Freedom Unlimited®			5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase, 5% on Lyft, 3% on dining and drugstores and 1.5% on all other purchases	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 14.99% to 23.74% variable)	$0	Apply now View details	This solid 1.5% cashback card gets even better with the addition of up to 5% back in categories like travel, drug stores and dining.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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

Increasing your card’s credit limit gives you access to more money. But that may not always be a good thing. Here are the two most common pitfalls.

• 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.
• 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.

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.