Low-Limit Credit Cards | Credit Cards with Low Credit Limit

Low-Limit Credit Cards

Check if you're eligible with no impact to your credit score

Personalised credit limit between £200 and £2,000

Check my eligibility

48.9% APR Representative (variable)

Check if you're eligible with no impact to your credit score

Personalised credit limit between £200 and £2,000

Can I get a credit card with a low limit?
If you’re new to credit cards or are hoping to build your credit score, a low-limit credit card could be something to think about.
A low-limit credit card could help you manage your spending responsibly while you work towards a healthier credit position.

What is a low-limit credit card?

The credit limit on a credit card is the total amount of money you’re approved to borrow. Simply put, a low-limit credit card is a credit card that comes with a low credit limit.
Low-limit credit cards may also be referred to as ‘credit builder credit cards’.

Typically, a low-limit credit card could have a credit limit below £1,500.

Credit cards with low credit limit: how will my credit limit be decided?

Credit limit ranges vary between credit card providers, and the credit limit you’re personally offered will depend on several factors, including your credit history and current financial situation.

Who could a low-limit credit card be suitable for?

A credit card with a low credit limit could be a preference for many borrowers, especially those new to credit cards, or people with poor or little-to-no credit history hoping to build their credit score.

A low-limit credit card could be a good introduction to credit cards and a way to build financial confidence by encouraging responsible usage.

Can I get a low-limit credit card for bad credit in the UK?

You could be eligible for a credit card, even if you have bad credit, and in this situation, a low-limit credit builder credit card could be an option to consider.
With a manageable starting credit limit, a credit builder credit card could help to build your confidence as well as your credit.

Is it bad to have a low credit limit?

No, it’s not bad to have a low credit limit. In fact, as we’ve talked about, many borrowers prefer a more manageable credit limit.

What is the lowest credit card limit you can have?

The lowest credit limit you could be offered will depend on the provider you apply with. As discussed, every provider has their own credit limit range. The thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card comes with a minimum credit limit of £200. If your application is declined, you could be offered a starter credit card with a credit limit of £50 as an alternative.

We’ll talk about the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card further down the page.

Is it possible to decrease my credit limit?

Yes, it should be possible to decrease your credit limit. If you want to lower the credit limit on your credit card, you should contact your provider.

How does a low-limit credit card work?

A credit card with a low limit, otherwise known as a credit builder credit card, works in the same way as a standard credit card.
If your application for a low-limit credit card is approved, you can expect it to work a little like this:

Use your low-limit credit card to cover a necessary cost that you can afford to repay, such as your midweek top-up shop.

Make at least the minimum repayment amount each month. Where possible, try to make more than the minimum repayment amount. It’s worth noting that if you clear your balance in full every month, you will not be charged interest.

Your repayment activity will be reported to the credit reference agencies (CRAs) and if you continually make your repayments on time, you could see an improvement in your credit score.

Low-limit credit cards: things to be aware of

Your credit limit should never be an incentive to spend money that you don’t need to.

You should never spend money that you can’t afford to repay.

Stay within your credit limit. Attempting to spend more money than your credit limit offers could harm your credit score and your transaction could be declined. You may also be charged a fee by your lender if you go over your credit limit.

Using your low-limit credit card, or any credit card, to withdraw money from a cash machine could have a negative effect on your credit score and should be avoided whenever possible.

If you’re hoping to improve your credit score, you should aim to keep your credit card utilisation below 30%. The credit card utilisation is the amount of money you’re using of your credit limit and is displayed as a percentage. For example, if you have a credit card with a £200 credit limit and you spend £50, your credit card utilisation will be 25%.

Hoping to work towards a healthier credit position? You should also try to put other credit-building techniques into practice alongside using your low-limit credit card. Other ways to build and improve credit include registering to vote at your current address, making sure the information on your credit report is correct and up to date, and paying your bills and any existing credit commitments on time.

Best low-limit credit cards in the UK

There isn’t one single ‘best’ low-limit credit card, as what could be considered a suitable option for one person won’t necessarily be right for another.
Rather than searching for the overall ‘best’ low-limit credit card, you should instead search for the best low-limit credit card for you.

Have a think about what you want to get out of a credit card. For example, have you got a certain credit limit in mind? Are there any features that you’re especially interested in, such as the ability to add the credit card to your digital wallet?

Once you know what you’re looking for in a credit card, it will be easier to search for the best one for you.

The thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card

The thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card comes with a starting credit limit between £200 and £2,000. You can check your eligibility for the Credit Builder Credit Card with no impact to your credit score.*

If you’re approved for a thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card, you could start using the virtual credit card the same day.**

thimbl: check your eligibility for a low-limit credit card online

You can check your eligibility for the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card in just 90 seconds if you:

Are between the ages of 18 and 70;
Are a UK resident with at least 1 year's UK address history;
Have a monthly net income of at least £800;
Have an active credit account that has been open for a minimum of 12 months; and 
Do not already hold a Zable credit card.

thimbl is a credit broker. The thimbl credit card is powered by Zable, a trading name of Lendable Ltd.  Lendable Ltd is unable to consider applications from anyone who has declared bankruptcy or is in an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA).

Low-limit credit cards: why did I get such a low credit limit?

As we’ve talked about, the credit limit you’re offered will be based on your historic and/or current financial situation.
Bad credit history could lead to you being offered a lower credit limit; however, it’s important to remember that this isn’t a bad thing.

Credit card providers have a responsibility to make sure that the amount of money available to you is affordable. This is to protect you from being put in a position where you’re at risk of owing more money than you can afford to repay and falling into debt.

Some credit card providers may allow you to request a credit limit increase. Your account will need to have been open and in good standing for a minimum amount of time, such as three months, before an increase can be considered.

Important: Please note that you cannot request a credit limit with thimbl, although you could be offered an increase if your account is in good standing and has been open for a minimum of three months. We will always let you know of any changes to your credit limit before they happen.

What should I do if I can’t afford to make my credit card repayments?

If you’re finding it difficult to make your monthly repayments, you should contact your provider as soon as you can. They will talk you through any options that could be available to help reduce some of the financial pressure you’re facing.

Talk to someone about money worries

Money worries can feel uncomfortable to discuss. If you’re not ready to open up to a loved one, you might find it easier to speak to a trained advisor confidentially. The following charities and organisations offer free financial advice: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.

*thimbl is a credit broker. The thimbl credit card is powered by Zable, a trading name of Lendable Ltd. If you choose to make a full application, a creditworthiness assessment will be carried out by Zable. This will consist of a hard search and a further check powered by Open Banking. A hard search will remain on your credit file for up to 12 months, and multiple hard searches within a short period of time could have a negative impact on your credit score. Any credit obtained upon successful application will be provided by Lendable Ltd.

**Use of the virtual thimbl credit card is subject to an additional fraud check, which will require the use of Open Banking. Please note that not all banks support the use of Open Banking.

Find out if you’ll be accepted before you apply for your thimbl. Credit Card

For all credit levels, from poor to excellent
Checking won’t affect your credit rating
48.9% APR Representative (variable)

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Page last reviewed: 21st April 2026

Page reviewed by: Harry Lawrance