https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/don-t-know-exactly-where-to-post/m-p/378150#M127189 <P>Fico looks at both individual and overall utilization.&nbsp; So even if your overall utilization is, for example 8%, if you have a few credit cards whose utilization is high, like 55%, 75% and 90%, you will still get a ding on your score for your utilization.&nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>So for the optimal score in regards to utilization your overall util needs to be between 1-9% and you should have more than half of your cards reporting a 0 balance and the rest of your cards reporting with 1-9% util. &nbsp;</P> Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:20:31 GMT Anonymous 2008-11-10T14:20:31Z https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/don-t-know-exactly-where-to-post/m-p/378148#M127188 <P>my question is, does the utilization go on individual cards or the total debt on your report. explanation: 14,500 + 500 + 300 + 1,000 limits does each card have to be at or below 7% (based on myfico suggestion) or the total owed debt has to be below 7% i hope that makes sense.</P><P>&nbsp;</P> Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:15:34 GMT https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/don-t-know-exactly-where-to-post/m-p/378148#M127188 Anonymous 2008-11-10T14:15:34Z https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/don-t-know-exactly-where-to-post/m-p/378150#M127189 <P>Fico looks at both individual and overall utilization.&nbsp; So even if your overall utilization is, for example 8%, if you have a few credit cards whose utilization is high, like 55%, 75% and 90%, you will still get a ding on your score for your utilization.&nbsp;</P><P>&nbsp;</P><P>So for the optimal score in regards to utilization your overall util needs to be between 1-9% and you should have more than half of your cards reporting a 0 balance and the rest of your cards reporting with 1-9% util. &nbsp;</P> Mon, 10 Nov 2008 14:20:31 GMT https://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Credit-Cards/don-t-know-exactly-where-to-post/m-p/378150#M127189 Anonymous 2008-11-10T14:20:31Z