@bwflorida wrote:Many in this forum recommend util in the 5% to 9% range . . . but several other credit help websites recommend keeping util less than 30%. Just wondering why there's such a big difference.
Because the sweet spot where you get the highest FICO scoring is by having your utilization low....I have actually heard 1% on one card will get you the best FICO score, but that's another story. So if you stay between 5% to 9% then your FICO scores should rank close to your highest obtainable score. The higher your utilization the lower your score can dip by up to 50 points or more.
For some people the higher utilization won't bother them especially if they are not applying for credit anytime soon, although some creditors may not look at that positively either. I guess your utilization that you care to report is really dependent on your plans for the future.
@bwflorida wrote:Many in this forum recommend util in the 5% to 9% range . . . but several other credit help websites recommend keeping util less than 30%. Just wondering why there's such a big difference.
Hey bwflorida! Welcome to the forums!
the reason for the disparity in the recommended utility % is because most on this site are seeking optimal FICO score tweaking. Really though, if you can keep your utility below the recommended 30%, you are doing yourself a favor. The lower the utility, the better- with only 1 account showing a balance. Lenders want to know you use your credit wisely. Hope this helps! 
Starting Score: 642
This is Bobwang's from Creditboards chart on Fico scores, I believe it to be accurate cause I was able to squeeze 758 out of my scores with only 14 months of history.
most people's sweet spot is around 2% reporting on 1 card with Fico it seems. Can't really argue with the guy since he has one of the highest EQ Fico04 scores.
(with Fico04 850 is probably impossible, Experian 04 score (if that's what was sold on myfico.com in 2009) reported high as 844 but EQ scores always lagged far behind. Even the Fico president ceo reported not having a 800+ credit score in 2009, people reporting 850's are generally Fico08 which is more lenient on scoring aka Walmart Fico)
@Jutz wrote:Just realized I had only my Walmart reporting and it closes in two days with $0 balance. We'll see how 0% UTIL affects the score. God knows if I buy something with it today it won't clear until after the statement cuts.
+1
Lord have mercy, what type of antiquated system do they have? Possibly one of the worse I have seen. They take forever to post a payment and forever to post a purchase. I mean I love shopping at Wally's and Sam's but if you want to keep your utilization good you gotta time it just right with them.
Judging from that chart, a 2-4% utilization seems to be the sweet spot with a true sliding scale. I don't see in the chart anything on the number of the cards but BobWangs website may have additional information. Nor does is it indicate how many cards the example users have, nor their credit limits. Not using your credit or having no credit cards also seems to be counter productive. Personally, I want to get my utilization down to about 1%, considering my current credit limit total is about 94k. Not for optimal scoring but for personal financial health.
Starting Score: EQ 732 October 2007; Current Score: EQ 839; TU 865, July 2022;