Lesson · Facts first · Free
What actually makes your credit score
Your score is not a mystery. Five factors, published weights, in this order of impact.
The facts
- 01Payment history — 35% of your FICO score. One 30-day late can do more damage than a high balance; on-time payments are the single biggest lever you have.
- 02Amounts owed (utilization) — 30%. How much of your available credit you are using at the moment your card issuer reports the statement balance.
- 03Length of credit history — 15%. Average age of your accounts. Old, well-managed accounts are an asset — closing them can hurt.
- 04New credit — 10%. Recent applications and hard inquiries. A cluster of applications in a short window reads as risk.
- 05Credit mix — 10%. A blend of revolving (cards) and installment (loans) accounts helps, but never take a loan just to improve mix.
Sources
- myFICO — What's in your FICO score: https://www.myfico.com/credit-education/whats-in-your-credit-score
- CFPB — Credit scores: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/credit-reports-and-scores/
Fix it yourself — free
The utilization calculator and the FCRA dispute-letter generator are free on the Credit Center. No signup, nothing to buy.
Open the free tools →Keep reading
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Collections and medical debt — what changed and what didn't
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Hard inquiries — small, temporary, but stackable
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Disclaimer: Educational information only — not credit repair, legal, or financial advice. You can always dispute items yourself for free directly with the bureaus.