What Is Revolving Credit?

Revolving credit is a common type of credit. In this arrangement, the lender sets a credit limit and the borrower chooses how much to spend (up to that limit). Each month, the borrower can pay off the balance in full or a portion of it with interest payments over time.

Payments for revolving credit can vary from month to month, and the credit is available to the borrower as long as they are in good standing with the lender. In these ways, revolving credit differs from installment credit, where payments are divided into fixed parts to be paid by the borrower until the loan balance is zero. Examples of installment credit include mortgages and auto loans.

If you have a credit card, the revolving credit setup probably sounds familiar, but it’s not the only type of revolving credit. Here’s what to know about revolving credit, including how it works and how it can impact your credit score.

There are three major components of revolving credit:

• Credit limit: The lender sets the credit limit or the maximum amount the borrower can spend. 

• Minimum payments: The lender also sets a minimum payment each month. Borrowers must pay at least that amount to avoid credit score harm. Ideally, however, the borrower will pay the full balance to avoid interest and racking up debt. 

• Replenishment: Revolving credit is reusable. Once a borrower pays off what they’ve spent, the full credit limit becomes available again. 

The two most common types of revolving credit are credit cards and home equity lines of credit, or HELOCs.

Potential borrowers apply for a credit card of their choosing and if approved, lenders set a credit limit. Borrowers can then use the credit card for purchases, up to that credit limit, and have a few options for payment amounts: the full balance; the minimum set by the lender; or a portion of the balance that’s not the minimum. Any remaining balance rolls over to the following month, and the borrower will be charged interest.

In a home equity line of credit, homeowners can take out a second mortgage on their home to access cash based on the value of their home and the equity they’ve accrued. Borrowers can draw from the home equity line and pay it off at once or monthly.

To calculate your equity, take your home’s market value and subtract the amount you owe on the mortgage. The difference is the equity.

There are some undeniable advantages to revolving credit. It can be a convenient and flexible way to make everyday purchases or cover larger expenses that you can pay for over time in more manageable chunks. Revolving credit can also provide a safety net if there’s a financial emergency. Responsibly managing your revolving credit can also result in an elevated credit score and make you more attractive to future lenders.

One of the disadvantages of revolving credit is the variable interest rate that fluctuates over time based on a variety of factors. For borrowers who carry a balance from one month to the next, these rate changes can make it difficult to pay down the principal balance because the bulk of each payment is going toward the interest. If fluctuations happen frequently, it can also be challenging to budget. Revolving credit can also carry fees, especially if borrowers exceed credit limits, miss payments or are required to pay annual fees to access special benefits, as is the case with some credit cards.

With revolving credit, there may also be a greater risk of accruing debt than with installment credit, where the payments are divided into equal and predictable amounts each month. Revolving credit payments can vary based on your spending, and it’s up to you to spend responsibly within your predetermined credit limit.

Successfully managing revolving credit involves the two biggest factors used to calculate your credit score: payment history (paying your bills on time) and credit utilization (how much of your available credit you are using).

If you’re using more than 30% of your available credit, your credit score will suffer. Aim to keep your utilization as low as possible, ideally under 10%.

Paying more than the minimum each month and tracking your spending could help keep your utilization below that 30% threshold. Some credit cards allow you to set alerts if you’re approaching a designated limit, which could help you reduce spending and make a plan to pay down your debt.

Making payments on time is also key. One missed payment can linger on your credit report for up to seven years and harm your credit score. Generally, the higher your credit score, the more significant the drop — but other factors might come into play, including how late your payment is or if you have a history of missing payments.

Setting up automatic payments and marking your calendar can help you avoid a missed payment. If you find it hard to keep track of your bills, you can consolidate your due dates so they’re easier to remember. For example, if you get paid twice a month, consider grouping your bills around those days so you’ll have the money to pay them. If you miss a payment, try calling your lender and asking for forgiveness, especially if this is a rare occurrence.