Quick answer
Claude usage credits pay for usage beyond the included plan allowance, or for API usage billed separately, depending on the product. They do not extend the 5-hour or weekly windows. Check the billing or usage section of your Claude account to see the balance and what consumed it.
What credits cover
| Balance | Applies to | Resets |
|---|---|---|
| Plan allowance | Claude apps and Claude Code | 5-hour and weekly windows |
| Usage credits | Extra usage where enabled | Per purchase or period |
| API credits | API billing | Per purchase |
| Team pool | Shared organization usage | Per contract |
The distinction matters because a credit balance does not make the plan window larger. If the window is exhausted, credits may let you continue, but the window still governs the included usage.
Check and control the balance
- Open Claude settings and find the usage or billing section.
- Read the plan windows separately from any credit balance.
- Note whether extra usage is enabled and whether a cap exists.
- Set a cap if the account offers one.
Track the token side
Credits tell you what you paid. Tokens tell you why. Claude Code writes local logs under ~/.claude/projects, and UsageAtlas reads them to show tokens by session and model without an account.
Credits, usage, and the two windows
Claude plans bundle access rather than a credit balance. Usage is limited by two windows that run at the same time: a short session window that refills a few hours after your first message, and a weekly cap that covers the whole account. Credits or extra usage, where offered, are a separate purchase that lets you continue after a limit.
| Thing | What it limits | Resets |
|---|---|---|
| Session window | Short bursts of heavy use | A few hours after it starts |
| Weekly cap | Total usage in seven days | Rolling from first use |
| Extra usage | Continuing after a limit | Purchased, not reset |
| API | Per-token billing | Monthly statement |
The session vs weekly guide explains which one usually blocks you, and Claude Code usage credits covers the extra-usage route.
Questions, answered
Do usage credits reset with the weekly limit?
No. Credits follow their own purchase or billing rules. The weekly window is separate.
Can I use credits on Claude Code?
Where extra usage is enabled for the account, yes. Check the billing settings for your plan.
Are usage credits refundable?
That depends on the terms shown at purchase. Check before buying a large balance.