Claude.ai/settings/usage: How to Check and Manage Your Claude Usage
Claude.ai/settings/usage: How to Check and Manage Your Claude Usage
The claude.ai/settings/usage page is where you monitor your Claude consumption, manage extra usage credits, and configure auto-reload. Whether you are hitting rate limits, tracking spend, or trying to understand why a third-party tool stopped working, this is the dashboard that answers those questions.
What You Will Find on the Usage Page
The usage settings page breaks down into several sections. Here is what each one shows and why it matters.
Plan limits section
This shows how much of your included plan usage you have consumed in the current billing cycle. Pro users get a set amount of Claude Sonnet and Opus usage. Team users get a higher ceiling. When you exhaust these limits, Claude throttles your responses to a smaller model until the cycle resets.
The usage bar fills up as you chat on claude.ai and the mobile app. Only direct conversations count against plan limits. Third-party apps no longer draw from this pool.
Extra usage credits section
This is the prepaid balance that powers third-party tools like Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Code, VS Code extensions, and anything connected through OAuth or MCP. When this balance hits zero, those tools stop working entirely with the error message "third-party apps now draw from your extra usage."
The page shows your current balance, credit history, and auto-reload configuration.
API billing section
If you use the Anthropic API directly with an API key, the usage page also links to your API console at console.anthropic.com. API billing is entirely separate from both plan limits and extra usage credits.
How to Navigate to claude.ai/settings/usage
There are two ways to reach the usage settings page:
- Direct URL: Go to claude.ai/settings/usage in your browser
- From the Claude interface: Click your profile icon in the bottom-left corner of claude.ai, select "Settings," then click the "Usage" tab
Both paths take you to the same page. The direct URL is useful if you are troubleshooting a billing issue and want to get there quickly.
Understanding the Three Billing Pools
Anthropic now uses three separate billing systems. Knowing which pool applies to your situation determines what action you need to take.
| Billing pool | What it covers | How it refills | Where to check | |---|---|---|---| | Plan limits | claude.ai chat, Claude mobile app | Automatically resets each billing cycle | claude.ai/settings/usage | | Extra usage credits | Cursor, Windsurf, Claude Code, VS Code extensions, MCP tools | Manual top-up or auto-reload | claude.ai/settings/usage | | API billing | Direct API calls with your API key | Pay-per-token, billed monthly | console.anthropic.com |
Which pool is causing your issue?
If claude.ai itself is slow or says "you have reached your usage limit," that is a plan limits issue. Wait for your cycle to reset or upgrade your plan.
If a third-party tool shows "third-party apps now draw from your extra usage" or "request rejected," your extra usage credits are at zero. Go to claude.ai/settings/usage to add credits.
If your custom API integration returns a 429 or billing error, check your API rate limits and billing at console.anthropic.com.
Setting Up Auto-Reload for Extra Usage Credits
If you rely on third-party tools daily, you will want auto-reload configured so you never get interrupted mid-session. Here is how:
- Go to claude.ai/settings/usage
- Scroll to the "Auto-reload credits" section
- Choose a reload amount ($5, $10, or $20)
- Set a trigger threshold (reload when balance drops below a set amount)
- Add a payment method if you have not added one yet
Once configured, your credits refill automatically whenever the balance drops below your threshold. You will not see interruptions unless you burn through credits faster than the reload can keep up.
Tip for heavy users
If you run multiple concurrent agent sessions (for example, 3 to 5 Claude Code instances in tmux), set a higher reload amount and a higher threshold. Running out mid-session means every agent stops at once.
Credit Amounts by Plan
Anthropic added a one-time starter credit when the billing split launched. Here is what each plan received:
| Plan | Monthly cost | Starter credit | Auto-reload available? | |---|---|---|---| | Free | $0 | $0 | No | | Pro | $20/month | $20 | Yes | | Team | $30/seat/month | $100 | Yes | | Enterprise | Custom | $200 | Yes |
The starter credit was a one-time transition bonus. After you use it, you need to either add credits manually or enable auto-reload.
Common Scenarios and Fixes
"I cannot find my credits"
Go to claude.ai/settings/usage and check the extra usage credits section. If the balance shows $0 and you have not claimed the starter credit, look for a banner at the top of the page. Some accounts had the credit applied automatically.
"My tool stopped working but claude.ai is fine"
This is the most common scenario after the billing split. Claude.ai draws from plan limits, but your third-party tool draws from extra usage credits. They are separate pools. Your tool needs credits in the extra usage balance to work.
"I added credits but the tool still fails"
Try signing out and signing back into the third-party tool. Some apps cache your billing state and need a fresh authentication to pick up the new balance.
"I want to limit my spending"
Do not enable auto-reload. Instead, add a fixed amount of credits and monitor the usage page periodically. When the balance approaches zero, decide whether to add more. This gives you manual control over spending.
"I am getting charged twice"
You are not. Plan limits and extra usage credits are separate charges. Your Pro or Team subscription covers claude.ai usage. Extra usage credits cover third-party tools. If you also use the API directly, that is a third charge. Check all three sections on the usage page to see the full picture.
Monitoring Your Usage Over Time
The usage page shows a consumption history that helps you understand your spending patterns. Check it weekly if you are trying to budget your AI tool costs.
Key metrics to watch:
- Credits remaining: How much extra usage balance you have left
- Plan limit progress: How close you are to your cycle reset
- Usage trend: Whether your daily consumption is increasing or holding steady
- Top consumers: Which third-party tools are burning the most credits
If you notice one tool consuming a disproportionate amount, consider whether that tool offers its own API key integration. Using a tool's built-in API key (billed through the Anthropic API) rather than OAuth can sometimes be more cost-effective for heavy usage.
The Difference Between OAuth and API Key Billing
This distinction matters because it determines which billing pool a tool uses.
The simple rule: if the tool asks you to sign in with your Claude account, it uses extra usage credits. If the tool asks for an API key, it uses API billing. Some tools support both methods. Check the tool's settings to see which authentication method you are using.
Related Guides
- Third-Party Apps Now Draw From Your Extra Usage, Not Your Plan Limits
- LLM Request Rejected: Third-Party Apps Extra Usage Credit
- Claude Subscription vs API Pricing Comparison
- Claude Usage Limits, API Plan, and Concurrent Sessions
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