diff --git a/models/organization/org.go b/models/organization/org.go
index 3e55a36758..dc889ea17f 100644
--- a/models/organization/org.go
+++ b/models/organization/org.go
@@ -178,12 +178,6 @@ func (org *Organization) HomeLink() string {
 	return org.AsUser().HomeLink()
 }
 
-// CanCreateRepo returns if user login can create a repository
-// NOTE: functions calling this assume a failure due to repository count limit; if new checks are added, those functions should be revised
-func (org *Organization) CanCreateRepo() bool {
-	return org.AsUser().CanCreateRepo()
-}
-
 // FindOrgMembersOpts represensts find org members conditions
 type FindOrgMembersOpts struct {
 	db.ListOptions
diff --git a/models/repo/update.go b/models/repo/update.go
index fce357a1ac..15c8c48d5b 100644
--- a/models/repo/update.go
+++ b/models/repo/update.go
@@ -111,31 +111,31 @@ func (err ErrRepoFilesAlreadyExist) Unwrap() error {
 	return util.ErrAlreadyExist
 }
 
-// CheckCreateRepository check if could created a repository
-func CheckCreateRepository(ctx context.Context, doer, u *user_model.User, name string, overwriteOrAdopt bool) error {
-	if !doer.CanCreateRepo() {
-		return ErrReachLimitOfRepo{u.MaxRepoCreation}
+// CheckCreateRepository check if doer could create a repository in new owner
+func CheckCreateRepository(ctx context.Context, doer, owner *user_model.User, name string, overwriteOrAdopt bool) error {
+	if !doer.CanCreateRepoIn(owner) {
+		return ErrReachLimitOfRepo{owner.MaxRepoCreation}
 	}
 
 	if err := IsUsableRepoName(name); err != nil {
 		return err
 	}
 
-	has, err := IsRepositoryModelOrDirExist(ctx, u, name)
+	has, err := IsRepositoryModelOrDirExist(ctx, owner, name)
 	if err != nil {
 		return fmt.Errorf("IsRepositoryExist: %w", err)
 	} else if has {
-		return ErrRepoAlreadyExist{u.Name, name}
+		return ErrRepoAlreadyExist{owner.Name, name}
 	}
 
-	repoPath := RepoPath(u.Name, name)
+	repoPath := RepoPath(owner.Name, name)
 	isExist, err := util.IsExist(repoPath)
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Error("Unable to check if %s exists. Error: %v", repoPath, err)
 		return err
 	}
 	if !overwriteOrAdopt && isExist {
-		return ErrRepoFilesAlreadyExist{u.Name, name}
+		return ErrRepoFilesAlreadyExist{owner.Name, name}
 	}
 	return nil
 }
diff --git a/models/user/user.go b/models/user/user.go
index 3b268a6f41..5989be74f0 100644
--- a/models/user/user.go
+++ b/models/user/user.go
@@ -247,19 +247,20 @@ func (u *User) MaxCreationLimit() int {
 	return u.MaxRepoCreation
 }
 
-// CanCreateRepo returns if user login can create a repository
-// NOTE: functions calling this assume a failure due to repository count limit; if new checks are added, those functions should be revised
-func (u *User) CanCreateRepo() bool {
+// CanCreateRepoIn checks whether the doer(u) can create a repository in the owner
+// NOTE: functions calling this assume a failure due to repository count limit; it ONLY checks the repo number LIMIT, if new checks are added, those functions should be revised
+func (u *User) CanCreateRepoIn(owner *User) bool {
 	if u.IsAdmin {
 		return true
 	}
-	if u.MaxRepoCreation <= -1 {
-		if setting.Repository.MaxCreationLimit <= -1 {
+	const noLimit = -1
+	if owner.MaxRepoCreation == noLimit {
+		if setting.Repository.MaxCreationLimit == noLimit {
 			return true
 		}
-		return u.NumRepos < setting.Repository.MaxCreationLimit
+		return owner.NumRepos < setting.Repository.MaxCreationLimit
 	}
-	return u.NumRepos < u.MaxRepoCreation
+	return owner.NumRepos < owner.MaxRepoCreation
 }
 
 // CanCreateOrganization returns true if user can create organisation.
@@ -272,13 +273,12 @@ func (u *User) CanEditGitHook() bool {
 	return !setting.DisableGitHooks && (u.IsAdmin || u.AllowGitHook)
 }
 
-// CanForkRepo returns if user login can fork a repository
-// It checks especially that the user can create repos, and potentially more
-func (u *User) CanForkRepo() bool {
+// CanForkRepoIn ONLY checks repository count limit
+func (u *User) CanForkRepoIn(owner *User) bool {
 	if setting.Repository.AllowForkWithoutMaximumLimit {
 		return true
 	}
-	return u.CanCreateRepo()
+	return u.CanCreateRepoIn(owner)
 }
 
 // CanImportLocal returns true if user can migrate repository by local path.
diff --git a/models/user/user_test.go b/models/user/user_test.go
index 2d5b6a405c..90e8bf13a8 100644
--- a/models/user/user_test.go
+++ b/models/user/user_test.go
@@ -19,6 +19,7 @@ import (
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/optional"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/setting"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/structs"
+	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/test"
 	"code.gitea.io/gitea/modules/timeutil"
 
 	"github.com/stretchr/testify/assert"
@@ -616,3 +617,37 @@ func TestGetInactiveUsers(t *testing.T) {
 	assert.NoError(t, err)
 	assert.Empty(t, users)
 }
+
+func TestCanCreateRepo(t *testing.T) {
+	defer test.MockVariableValue(&setting.Repository.MaxCreationLimit)()
+	const noLimit = -1
+	doerNormal := &user_model.User{}
+	doerAdmin := &user_model.User{IsAdmin: true}
+	t.Run("NoGlobalLimit", func(t *testing.T) {
+		setting.Repository.MaxCreationLimit = noLimit
+
+		assert.True(t, doerNormal.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: noLimit}))
+		assert.False(t, doerNormal.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: 0}))
+		assert.True(t, doerNormal.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: 100}))
+
+		assert.True(t, doerAdmin.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: noLimit}))
+		assert.True(t, doerAdmin.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: 0}))
+		assert.True(t, doerAdmin.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: 100}))
+	})
+
+	t.Run("GlobalLimit50", func(t *testing.T) {
+		setting.Repository.MaxCreationLimit = 50
+
+		assert.True(t, doerNormal.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: noLimit}))
+		assert.False(t, doerNormal.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 60, MaxRepoCreation: noLimit})) // limited by global limit
+		assert.False(t, doerNormal.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: 0}))
+		assert.True(t, doerNormal.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: 100}))
+		assert.True(t, doerNormal.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 60, MaxRepoCreation: 100}))
+
+		assert.True(t, doerAdmin.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: noLimit}))
+		assert.True(t, doerAdmin.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 60, MaxRepoCreation: noLimit}))
+		assert.True(t, doerAdmin.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: 0}))
+		assert.True(t, doerAdmin.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 10, MaxRepoCreation: 100}))
+		assert.True(t, doerAdmin.CanCreateRepoIn(&user_model.User{NumRepos: 60, MaxRepoCreation: 100}))
+	})
+}
diff --git a/routers/web/repo/fork.go b/routers/web/repo/fork.go
index 36e64bfee3..79f033659b 100644
--- a/routers/web/repo/fork.go
+++ b/routers/web/repo/fork.go
@@ -91,12 +91,17 @@ func getForkRepository(ctx *context.Context) *repo_model.Repository {
 	ctx.Data["CanForkToUser"] = canForkToUser
 	ctx.Data["Orgs"] = orgs
 
+	// TODO: this message should only be shown for the "current doer" when it is selected, just like the "new repo" page.
+	// msg := ctx.TrN(maxCreationLimit, "repo.form.reach_limit_of_creation_1", "repo.form.reach_limit_of_creation_n", ctx.Doer.MaxCreationLimit())
+
 	if canForkToUser {
 		ctx.Data["ContextUser"] = ctx.Doer
+		ctx.Data["CanForkRepoInNewOwner"] = true
 	} else if len(orgs) > 0 {
 		ctx.Data["ContextUser"] = orgs[0]
+		ctx.Data["CanForkRepoInNewOwner"] = true
 	} else {
-		ctx.Data["CanForkRepo"] = false
+		ctx.Data["CanForkRepoInNewOwner"] = false
 		ctx.Flash.Error(ctx.Tr("repo.fork_no_valid_owners"), true)
 		return nil
 	}
@@ -120,15 +125,6 @@ func getForkRepository(ctx *context.Context) *repo_model.Repository {
 // Fork render repository fork page
 func Fork(ctx *context.Context) {
 	ctx.Data["Title"] = ctx.Tr("new_fork")
-
-	if ctx.Doer.CanForkRepo() {
-		ctx.Data["CanForkRepo"] = true
-	} else {
-		maxCreationLimit := ctx.Doer.MaxCreationLimit()
-		msg := ctx.TrN(maxCreationLimit, "repo.form.reach_limit_of_creation_1", "repo.form.reach_limit_of_creation_n", maxCreationLimit)
-		ctx.Flash.Error(msg, true)
-	}
-
 	getForkRepository(ctx)
 	if ctx.Written() {
 		return
@@ -141,7 +137,6 @@ func Fork(ctx *context.Context) {
 func ForkPost(ctx *context.Context) {
 	form := web.GetForm(ctx).(*forms.CreateRepoForm)
 	ctx.Data["Title"] = ctx.Tr("new_fork")
-	ctx.Data["CanForkRepo"] = true
 
 	ctxUser := checkContextUser(ctx, form.UID)
 	if ctx.Written() {
diff --git a/routers/web/repo/repo.go b/routers/web/repo/repo.go
index e260ea36dd..ee112b83f2 100644
--- a/routers/web/repo/repo.go
+++ b/routers/web/repo/repo.go
@@ -87,17 +87,13 @@ func checkContextUser(ctx *context.Context, uid int64) *user_model.User {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	if !ctx.Doer.IsAdmin {
-		orgsAvailable := []*organization.Organization{}
-		for i := 0; i < len(orgs); i++ {
-			if orgs[i].CanCreateRepo() {
-				orgsAvailable = append(orgsAvailable, orgs[i])
-			}
+	var orgsAvailable []*organization.Organization
+	for i := 0; i < len(orgs); i++ {
+		if ctx.Doer.CanCreateRepoIn(orgs[i].AsUser()) {
+			orgsAvailable = append(orgsAvailable, orgs[i])
 		}
-		ctx.Data["Orgs"] = orgsAvailable
-	} else {
-		ctx.Data["Orgs"] = orgs
 	}
+	ctx.Data["Orgs"] = orgsAvailable
 
 	// Not equal means current user is an organization.
 	if uid == ctx.Doer.ID || uid == 0 {
@@ -154,7 +150,7 @@ func createCommon(ctx *context.Context) {
 	ctx.Data["Licenses"] = repo_module.Licenses
 	ctx.Data["Readmes"] = repo_module.Readmes
 	ctx.Data["IsForcedPrivate"] = setting.Repository.ForcePrivate
-	ctx.Data["CanCreateRepoInDoer"] = ctx.Doer.CanCreateRepo()
+	ctx.Data["CanCreateRepoInDoer"] = ctx.Doer.CanCreateRepoIn(ctx.Doer)
 	ctx.Data["MaxCreationLimitOfDoer"] = ctx.Doer.MaxCreationLimit()
 	ctx.Data["SupportedObjectFormats"] = git.DefaultFeatures().SupportedObjectFormats
 	ctx.Data["DefaultObjectFormat"] = git.Sha1ObjectFormat
diff --git a/routers/web/repo/setting/setting.go b/routers/web/repo/setting/setting.go
index 380fec9d4a..5552a8726c 100644
--- a/routers/web/repo/setting/setting.go
+++ b/routers/web/repo/setting/setting.go
@@ -59,6 +59,7 @@ func SettingsCtxData(ctx *context.Context) {
 	ctx.Data["DisableNewPushMirrors"] = setting.Mirror.DisableNewPush
 	ctx.Data["DefaultMirrorInterval"] = setting.Mirror.DefaultInterval
 	ctx.Data["MinimumMirrorInterval"] = setting.Mirror.MinInterval
+	ctx.Data["CanConvertFork"] = ctx.Repo.Repository.IsFork && ctx.Doer.CanCreateRepoIn(ctx.Repo.Repository.Owner)
 
 	signing, _ := asymkey_service.SigningKey(ctx, ctx.Repo.Repository.RepoPath())
 	ctx.Data["SigningKeyAvailable"] = len(signing) > 0
@@ -786,7 +787,7 @@ func handleSettingsPostConvertFork(ctx *context.Context) {
 		return
 	}
 
-	if !ctx.Repo.Owner.CanCreateRepo() {
+	if !ctx.Doer.CanForkRepoIn(ctx.Repo.Owner) {
 		maxCreationLimit := ctx.Repo.Owner.MaxCreationLimit()
 		msg := ctx.TrN(maxCreationLimit, "repo.form.reach_limit_of_creation_1", "repo.form.reach_limit_of_creation_n", maxCreationLimit)
 		ctx.Flash.Error(msg)
diff --git a/services/repository/adopt.go b/services/repository/adopt.go
index 6953970e28..6d5505c42c 100644
--- a/services/repository/adopt.go
+++ b/services/repository/adopt.go
@@ -40,17 +40,17 @@ func deleteFailedAdoptRepository(repoID int64) error {
 }
 
 // AdoptRepository adopts pre-existing repository files for the user/organization.
-func AdoptRepository(ctx context.Context, doer, u *user_model.User, opts CreateRepoOptions) (*repo_model.Repository, error) {
-	if !doer.IsAdmin && !u.CanCreateRepo() {
+func AdoptRepository(ctx context.Context, doer, owner *user_model.User, opts CreateRepoOptions) (*repo_model.Repository, error) {
+	if !doer.CanCreateRepoIn(owner) {
 		return nil, repo_model.ErrReachLimitOfRepo{
-			Limit: u.MaxRepoCreation,
+			Limit: owner.MaxRepoCreation,
 		}
 	}
 
 	repo := &repo_model.Repository{
-		OwnerID:                         u.ID,
-		Owner:                           u,
-		OwnerName:                       u.Name,
+		OwnerID:                         owner.ID,
+		Owner:                           owner,
+		OwnerName:                       owner.Name,
 		Name:                            opts.Name,
 		LowerName:                       strings.ToLower(opts.Name),
 		Description:                     opts.Description,
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func AdoptRepository(ctx context.Context, doer, u *user_model.User, opts CreateR
 
 	// 1 - create the repository database operations first
 	err := db.WithTx(ctx, func(ctx context.Context) error {
-		return createRepositoryInDB(ctx, doer, u, repo, false)
+		return createRepositoryInDB(ctx, doer, owner, repo, false)
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ func AdoptRepository(ctx context.Context, doer, u *user_model.User, opts CreateR
 		return nil, fmt.Errorf("UpdateRepositoryCols: %w", err)
 	}
 
-	notify_service.AdoptRepository(ctx, doer, u, repo)
+	notify_service.AdoptRepository(ctx, doer, owner, repo)
 
 	return repo, nil
 }
diff --git a/services/repository/create.go b/services/repository/create.go
index 22dfce91f0..050544ce11 100644
--- a/services/repository/create.go
+++ b/services/repository/create.go
@@ -204,10 +204,10 @@ func initRepository(ctx context.Context, u *user_model.User, repo *repo_model.Re
 }
 
 // CreateRepositoryDirectly creates a repository for the user/organization.
-func CreateRepositoryDirectly(ctx context.Context, doer, u *user_model.User, opts CreateRepoOptions) (*repo_model.Repository, error) {
-	if !doer.IsAdmin && !u.CanCreateRepo() {
+func CreateRepositoryDirectly(ctx context.Context, doer, owner *user_model.User, opts CreateRepoOptions) (*repo_model.Repository, error) {
+	if !doer.CanCreateRepoIn(owner) {
 		return nil, repo_model.ErrReachLimitOfRepo{
-			Limit: u.MaxRepoCreation,
+			Limit: owner.MaxRepoCreation,
 		}
 	}
 
@@ -227,9 +227,9 @@ func CreateRepositoryDirectly(ctx context.Context, doer, u *user_model.User, opt
 	}
 
 	repo := &repo_model.Repository{
-		OwnerID:                         u.ID,
-		Owner:                           u,
-		OwnerName:                       u.Name,
+		OwnerID:                         owner.ID,
+		Owner:                           owner,
+		OwnerName:                       owner.Name,
 		Name:                            opts.Name,
 		LowerName:                       strings.ToLower(opts.Name),
 		Description:                     opts.Description,
@@ -252,7 +252,7 @@ func CreateRepositoryDirectly(ctx context.Context, doer, u *user_model.User, opt
 
 	// 1 - create the repository database operations first
 	err := db.WithTx(ctx, func(ctx context.Context) error {
-		return createRepositoryInDB(ctx, doer, u, repo, false)
+		return createRepositoryInDB(ctx, doer, owner, repo, false)
 	})
 	if err != nil {
 		return nil, err
diff --git a/services/repository/fork.go b/services/repository/fork.go
index daf6913510..1794cc18ab 100644
--- a/services/repository/fork.go
+++ b/services/repository/fork.go
@@ -65,7 +65,7 @@ func ForkRepository(ctx context.Context, doer, owner *user_model.User, opts Fork
 	}
 
 	// Fork is prohibited, if user has reached maximum limit of repositories
-	if !owner.CanForkRepo() {
+	if !doer.CanForkRepoIn(owner) {
 		return nil, repo_model.ErrReachLimitOfRepo{
 			Limit: owner.MaxRepoCreation,
 		}
diff --git a/services/repository/template.go b/services/repository/template.go
index b3f34e4858..95f585cead 100644
--- a/services/repository/template.go
+++ b/services/repository/template.go
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ func GenerateProtectedBranch(ctx context.Context, templateRepo, generateRepo *re
 
 // GenerateRepository generates a repository from a template
 func GenerateRepository(ctx context.Context, doer, owner *user_model.User, templateRepo *repo_model.Repository, opts GenerateRepoOptions) (_ *repo_model.Repository, err error) {
-	if !doer.IsAdmin && !owner.CanCreateRepo() {
+	if !doer.CanCreateRepoIn(owner) {
 		return nil, repo_model.ErrReachLimitOfRepo{
 			Limit: owner.MaxRepoCreation,
 		}
diff --git a/services/repository/transfer.go b/services/repository/transfer.go
index 4e44b90df2..86917ad285 100644
--- a/services/repository/transfer.go
+++ b/services/repository/transfer.go
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ func AcceptTransferOwnership(ctx context.Context, repo *repo_model.Repository, d
 			return err
 		}
 
-		if !doer.IsAdmin && !repoTransfer.Recipient.CanCreateRepo() {
+		if !doer.CanCreateRepoIn(repoTransfer.Recipient) {
 			limit := util.Iif(repoTransfer.Recipient.MaxRepoCreation >= 0, repoTransfer.Recipient.MaxRepoCreation, setting.Repository.MaxCreationLimit)
 			return LimitReachedError{Limit: limit}
 		}
@@ -416,7 +416,7 @@ func StartRepositoryTransfer(ctx context.Context, doer, newOwner *user_model.Use
 		return err
 	}
 
-	if !doer.IsAdmin && !newOwner.CanCreateRepo() {
+	if !doer.CanForkRepoIn(newOwner) {
 		limit := util.Iif(newOwner.MaxRepoCreation >= 0, newOwner.MaxRepoCreation, setting.Repository.MaxCreationLimit)
 		return LimitReachedError{Limit: limit}
 	}
diff --git a/services/repository/transfer_test.go b/services/repository/transfer_test.go
index bf71c7ca2e..80a073e9f9 100644
--- a/services/repository/transfer_test.go
+++ b/services/repository/transfer_test.go
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ func TestRepositoryTransferRejection(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NotNil(t, transfer)
 	require.NoError(t, transfer.LoadRecipient(db.DefaultContext))
 
-	require.True(t, transfer.Recipient.CanCreateRepo()) // admin is not subject to limits
+	require.True(t, doerAdmin.CanCreateRepoIn(transfer.Recipient)) // admin is not subject to limits
 
 	// Administrator should not be affected by the limits so transfer should be successful
 	assert.NoError(t, AcceptTransferOwnership(db.DefaultContext, repo, doerAdmin))
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ func TestRepositoryTransferRejection(t *testing.T) {
 	require.NotNil(t, transfer)
 	require.NoError(t, transfer.LoadRecipient(db.DefaultContext))
 
-	require.False(t, transfer.Recipient.CanCreateRepo()) // regular user is subject to limits
+	require.False(t, doer.CanCreateRepoIn(transfer.Recipient)) // regular user is subject to limits
 
 	// Cannot accept because of the limit
 	err = AcceptTransferOwnership(db.DefaultContext, repo, doer)
diff --git a/templates/repo/pulls/fork.tmpl b/templates/repo/pulls/fork.tmpl
index 9a6c44077f..adf9e250c1 100644
--- a/templates/repo/pulls/fork.tmpl
+++ b/templates/repo/pulls/fork.tmpl
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@
 
 				<div class="inline field">
 					<label></label>
-					<button class="ui primary button{{if not .CanForkRepo}} disabled{{end}}">
+					<button class="ui primary button{{if not .CanForkRepoInNewOwner}} disabled{{end}}">
 						{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.fork_repo"}}
 					</button>
 				</div>
diff --git a/templates/repo/settings/options.tmpl b/templates/repo/settings/options.tmpl
index 202be3fce7..4d61604612 100644
--- a/templates/repo/settings/options.tmpl
+++ b/templates/repo/settings/options.tmpl
@@ -802,7 +802,7 @@
 						</div>
 					</div>
 				{{end}}
-				{{if and .Repository.IsFork .Repository.Owner.CanCreateRepo}}
+				{{if .CanConvertFork}}
 					<div class="flex-item">
 						<div class="flex-item-main">
 							<div class="flex-item-title">{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.convert_fork"}}</div>
@@ -916,7 +916,7 @@
 			</div>
 		</div>
 	{{end}}
-	{{if and .Repository.IsFork .Repository.Owner.CanCreateRepo}}
+	{{if .CanConvertFork}}
 		<div class="ui small modal" id="convert-fork-repo-modal">
 			<div class="header">
 				{{ctx.Locale.Tr "repo.settings.convert_fork"}}