Credit Scores Explained
Your FICO score is a 300–850 number lenders use to predict whether you'll repay. Five factors drive it — and you can influence the two biggest ones in under 60 days.
The five factors
FICO weights them roughly:
- Payment history — 35%
- Credit utilization — 30%
- Length of credit history — 15%
- Credit mix — 10%
- New credit / inquiries — 10%
What you can change fast
Utilization updates monthly. Paying a card down from 80% to under 10% can lift your score 40–80 points in one statement cycle. Payment history takes longer — but a single 30-day late drops a 750 score by ~100 points.
What lenders see
Banks pull FICO 8 or FICO 9. Auto and mortgage lenders use industry-specific FICO 2/4/5/8/9. Apps like Credit Karma show VantageScore, which can differ by 30+ points.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear answers to common questions before you compare loan options or apply.
Related guides
Reviewed by Jeff Arlintogs. See our fact-checking policy.