Credit basicsWhat goes into your credit score
Most lenders use a FICO® score, which runs from 300 to 850. It's built from five groups of information on your credit report. Your income, job, and savings are not part of it.
| Factor | What it means | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Payment history | Do you pay on time? | 35% |
| Amounts owed | How much of your limits you use | 30% |
| Length of history | Age of your oldest and average accounts | 15% |
| New credit | Recent applications and new accounts | 10% |
| Credit mix | Cards, loans, mortgages together | 10% |
Quick wins
- Set up autopay for at least the minimum so you never miss a due date.
- Keep card balances low compared to the limit. Under 30% is a common target, and lower is better.
- Think twice before closing your oldest card; it carries your history.
Source: myFICO, "What's in my FICO Scores."
