What should my credit limit be?

There’s no way to know what your credit limit will be when you apply for a credit card unless you’re already preapproved. Your assigned credit line depends on factors such as your debt-to-income ratio and your creditworthiness.

Luckily, if you’re not happy with the credit line you receive, you can always ask for a credit line increase after a few months of responsible card use.

What should my credit limit be?

In some cases, you can find out what your minimum credit limit will be if you read the card’s terms and conditions. But the credit line you’ll get could be different. A card issuer will weigh in a few factors before assigning you your credit line.

• Annual income. Typically, individuals with higher annual income get a higher credit limit.
• Expenses. Having a high annual income will mean very little if your expenses are higher. High credit limit can be assigned to individuals with a healthy debt-to-income ratio.
• Employment. Having a steady job may get you a higher credit line.
• Creditworthiness. As a sum of your debt management, a high credit score can get you a high credit line.
• The type of credit card. Applying for a premium credit card comes with a higher credit line from the start compared to standard credit cards.

What credit limit should I ask for?

If you’re eligible for a credit limit increase, aim modestly as your request could get denied. You can still request a higher amount than the one you want because sometimes you may get a counteroffer, which may be enough.

As a general rule, requesting a credit limit increase between 10% and 25% is reasonable. But if you already have a low credit limit, say $5,000 or less, you can safely ask for a higher amount.

Compare cards with higher credit limits

All credit cards in the table below come with a high credit limit. But the amount you receive depends on various factors, including your annual income, employment and creditworthiness.

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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	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	Perfect for families: Get up to 6% on everyday purchases and a welcome offer worth $300. This heavy-hitter rewards card has uncontested value. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express			2% at US gas stations and select US department stores, 3% at US supermarkets on up to $6,000 per year, then 1% after that and on all other purchases	0% intro for the first 15 months (then 13.99% to 23.99% variable)	$0	Apply now View details	This everyday cashback card offers a higher than average welcome offer for no annual fee, letting you earn $200 after you spend $1,000 in the first 3 months. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card			5x points on Lyft, 2x points on up to $1,000 on groceries until April 30, 2021, 2x points on travel and dining and 1x points on all other purchases	15.99% to 22.99% variable	$95	Apply now View details	Earn a signup bonus worth $750 plus up to $50 statement credit towards groceries with this popular travel card.	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

If you have a good habit of paying off your balance each month and you have a solid debt-to-income ratio, then you’ll be more likely to get a higher credit limit.

But if you’re not happy with your credit line, request a credit limit increase either online or by phone. If you still haven’t found the right card, compare high limit credit cards.