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There are plenty of credit score myths out there. For example, lots of people think that checking your own credit score will lower it, or that your income is a factor in your score. Both false.
In truth, there are only a few things worth thinking about when it comes to improving your credit score. It’s a simple process, really — the keys are 1) consistency and 2) patience.
Here’s what actually helps you improve your credit score — and what doesn’t.
The two biggest factors in your credit score
Two things that make up the majority of your credit score: paying bills on time and keeping your balances low.
Together, payment history and amounts owed make up 65% of your FICO® Score. Other things matter — how long you’ve had credit, what mix of accounts you carry, how many new applications you’ve filed — but nowhere near as much.
Payment history alone makes up 35% of your score. That means one thing: Pay on time, every time, and a massive chunk of your score takes care of itself. On the other hand, a single missed payment can knock off more points than almost anything else you could do.
“Amounts owed” makes up another 30%. That includes your credit utilization ratio — the percentage of your available credit you’re actually using.
Keep that number under 30% if possible, and under 10% if you’re trying to reach an excellent score. Lenders like to see that you can handle credit responsibly, and that you’re not using every bit of leeway they give you.
How much does credit utilization affect your score?
A lot, and it moves fast in both directions. Low utilization can help your score quickly — and high utilization can hurt it quickly. Paying down a balance can bump your score within a billing cycle or two, long before changes to your payment history register.
If you’re carrying high balances on a few cards, moving that debt to a 0% intro APR card can drop your utilization ratio (since you’ve opened another card and have more available credit) and help you pay your balance interest-free. It’s pretty much the best way to get out of debt quickly and cheaply.
Check out our list of the top 0% intro APR cards available today, with up to 21 months to pay down debt interest-free.
Credit history length and credit mix matter less than you think
Length of credit history makes up 15% of your score, and credit mix is another 10%. Both of these categories reward patience more than anything.
You can’t rush a longer credit history, and getting a new car loan just to diversify your credit mix probably isn’t worth it. Just keep old accounts open,
More credit score myths that’ll waste your time
A few habits people obsess over just don’t move the needle. For example:
- Closing old cards to “clean up” your credit. This one’s a double whammy: It shortens your average account age and shrinks your total available credit, which can push utilization up. It usually hurts more than it helps.
- Carrying a balance to “build credit.” FICO doesn’t care if you pay in full or carry a balance. Just make sure you’re paying on time.
- Checking your own score. This is a soft inquiry. It has zero effect on your score, no matter how often you do it. Check your score every 90 seconds if you want — it makes no difference.
If you want a better score in 2026, put your effort into on-time payments and lower balances. That combination covers 65% of your score with almost no ongoing effort.
Once your score’s in a good spot, you can qualify for almost any card you want. I’d start by checking out our list of the best credit cards to compare earning rates and perks on all the top options to find a good match for your lifestyle and spending habits.
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