How to Increase Your Credit Limit

The credit limit on your credit card account affects both purchasing power and credit utilization, the percentage of a consumer’s total available revolving credit that is currently being used. Because credit utilization is a significant factor in credit score calculations, an increase in a credit limit can have a positive effect on a borrower's credit profile, provided balances remain the same or decrease.

This article outlines the steps that may be available to cardholders who want to request a higher credit limit, the factors card issuers typically consider, and the potential trade-offs involved.

Key points

• A credit limit is the maximum amount a cardholder can borrow on a credit card, and increasing it can lower credit utilization, which may have a positive effect on your credit score if balances remain the same.
• You can typically request a credit limit increase directly from your card issuer by phone or online, or wait for automatic credit limit increases to be offered.
• Before requesting a credit limit increase, you should check whether your issuer will perform a hard inquiry, consider your recent payment history, and factor in any upcoming credit applications.

What is a credit limit?

A credit limit is the maximum amount a cardholder can borrow on a credit card. It is set by the card issuer and can increase or decrease over time. Once a balance reaches the credit limit, the card issuer may decline additional purchases until the balance is paid down. ^[1]

How to get a credit limit increase

There are several ways you can increase your credit card limit depending on your situation; we’ll discuss some of the most common methods below.

Request an increase from your card issuer

You can typically request a credit limit increase through your card issuer's website or mobile app, or by calling the customer service number on the back of your card. Some requests require you to submit updated financial information, such as current income and housing costs. ^[2]

When a card issuer reviews a request, it may perform a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can cause a temporary decrease in your credit score. If a request is declined, the card issuer is required to send an adverse action notice explaining which credit-related factors influenced the decision. You can use that information to identify areas to address before submitting a future request. ^[3]

Wait for an automatic increase

Some card issuers review accounts periodically and may offer a credit limit increase without a formal request, particularly if the cardholder has a consistent payment history and updated income on file. If a card issuer requests updated income information, it may be a sign that a review is underway.

Applying for a new credit card

Applying for a new credit card is another way to increase total available credit. Opening a new account with a zero balance increases the total amount of revolving credit available, which can lower a cardholder's overall credit utilization rate if existing balances remain the same.
However, applying for a new card can also trigger a hard inquiry and reduce the average age of credit accounts, both of which can have a temporary negative effect on a credit score. If balances increase on the new card, the benefit to credit utilization may be offset. ^[4]

Becoming an authorized user

Being added as an authorized user on another person's credit card account can increase the total available credit reflected on a credit report, which may lower overall credit utilization. However, the primary cardholder's account activity, including high balances, will also appear on the authorized user's credit report and could affect their credit score. It’s important to consider this and only become an authorized user if the account holder is using their card responsibly. ^[5]

How long does it take to increase your credit limit?

The timeline for a credit limit increase depends on how the request is made and how the card issuer processes it. Some requests are approved immediately, while others can take up to 30 days if the card issuer needs to verify information or review a cardholder's credit history in more detail. ^[6]

For automatic increases, where the card issuer raises the limit without a formal request, the timeline varies. Card issuers determine their own review schedules, and there is no set timeframe within which an automatic increase must be offered. ^[3]

Things to consider before requesting a credit limit increase

If you’re thinking about requesting a credit limit increase from your credit card issuer, there are a few things you should consider beforehand.

• Whether the issuer will perform a hard or soft inquiry. Not all issuers conduct a hard inquiry for credit limit increase requests. This information is often available in the card's terms or by calling the issuer directly. According to the CFPB, a hard inquiry will appear on a credit report and may impact a credit score, while a soft inquiry does not. ^[7]
• Recent payment history. Card issuers may take payment history into account when deciding whether to approve a credit limit increase request. Cardholders who have had difficulty keeping up with payments may find it harder to get a request approved. ^[8]
• Any upcoming credit applications. The CFPB advises that applying for a credit card or other type of loan results in an additional inquiry that can lower credit scores, and recommends avoiding new credit applications shortly before or during the mortgage process. Cardholders planning a significant loan application may want to weigh the timing of a credit limit increase request against this. ^[9]

Bottom line

A credit limit increase can be requested directly from a card issuer or may occur automatically as part of a periodic account review. Applying for a new credit card or becoming an authorized user on another person's account are also options that can increase total available credit.
Before making a request, it is worth checking whether the card issuer will perform a hard inquiry, reviewing recent payment history, and considering any upcoming credit applications. When a request is approved and balances remain the same, a higher credit limit can lower credit utilization, which may have a positive effect on a credit score over time.

Sources

1. Experian, “What is a Credit Limit?” https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/what-is-a-credit-limit/ Accessed June 16, 2026
2. Experian, “How to Increase Your Credit Limit” https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/how-to-increase-your-credit-limit/ Accessed June 16, 2026
3. Experian, “When to Request a Credit Limit” https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/when-to-ask-for-credit-limit-increase/ Accessed June 16, 2026
4. Discover, “Does Applying for a Credit Card Hurt Your Score?” https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/card-smarts/applying-for-credit-card-and-your-credit-score/ Accessed June 16, 2026
5. Chase, “Will My Credit Be Affected as an Authorized User?” https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/build-credit/do-authorized-users-on-credit-cards-build-credit Accessed June 16, 2026
6. Experian, “Does Requesting a Credit Limit Increase Hurt Your Score?” https://www.experian.com/blogs/ask-experian/does-it-hurt-to-increase-your-credit-limit/ Accessed June 16, 2026
7. CFPB, “What Can a Credit Card Company Look at on My Credit Reports?” https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/when-can-a-credit-card-company-look-at-my-credit-reports-en-3/ Accessed June 16, 2026
8. MyFICO, “How to Ask For a Credit Limit Increase” https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/blog/how-to-ask-for-a-credit-limit-increase Accessed June 16, 2026
9. CFPB, “What Happens When a Mortgage Lender Checks My Credit?” https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-exactly-happens-when-a-mortgage-lender-checks-my-credit-en-2005/ Accessed June 16, 2026