Lowering credit utilization is the quickest way to increase your credit score. If you must carry a balance, ensure that at your statement cut off date, your balance is no more than 10% of the card limit. Zero percent is ideal. However, if 10% is not doable, the maximum usage to be reported should not be more than 30%. Over 30% significantly lowers your credit score. If your balances are higher than 30% of your credit limit, work on lowering them as quickly as possible. As your balances get below 30% usage, you will see a meaningful jump in your score. Usually your score increases within three to six months of keeping the balances below 30%.