5 factors, different weights
What affects your credit score — and by how much
FICO credit scores (300-850) weigh five factors: payment history (35%), credit utilization / amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), new credit applications (10%), and credit mix (10%). The two highest-impact actions are paying every bill on time and keeping credit card balances under 30% of limits. Hard inquiries cost 5-10 points but recover within a year.
Level
Try calculatorKey takeaways
04 · ideas- Payment history is the single largest factor at 35%
- Credit utilization under 30% is a widely cited benchmark
- Hard inquiries have a small and temporary effect
- Score models differ between FICO and VantageScore
Most US lenders use FICO scores, which range from 300 to 850. The score is calculated from five categories:
| Factor | Weight | What it measures |
|---|---|---|
| Payment history | 35% | On-time vs. late payments |
| Amounts owed | 30% | Credit utilization ratio |
| Length of credit history | 15% | Age of accounts |
| Credit mix | 10% | Types of credit |
| New credit | 10% | Recent applications |
Payment history has the most weight. A single 30-day late payment can reduce a score by 50-100 points depending on the starting score and other factors.
Credit utilization is the percentage of available revolving credit currently used. Both the overall ratio and per-card ratios affect the score.