How to Help Improve Your Credit Score

August 2026

Here's something worth celebrating: As of Spring, 2026, the average FICO® Score in the U.S. sits at 714,¹ with about 70% of Americans carrying a score of 670 or higher. That means most of us are already in good shape. But if you’re looking to raise your credit score, even small changes can help over time.

When real money is on the line, "good" and "great" aren't the same. On a $300,000, 30-year mortgage, a borrower with a 760 might get a 6.56% APR while someone with a 620 score might get a 7.34% APR. That could mean over $56,000 in extra interest over the life of the loan. That’s how much your credit score can affect your mortgage rate. Your credit score also influences auto loans, rental applications, and insurance premiums.

The encouraging part? The factors that build your score aren't a mystery, and a few smart habits can help move the needle faster than you'd expect.

What Are the Five Factors That Affect Your FICO^® Score?

Your FICO^® Score — the model used by 90% of top lenders² — is a three-digit number ranging from 300 to 850, based on information on your credit report. It is determined by five weighted categories.

Payment History (35%) — This is the big one. A missed payment can significantly impact your score, depending on your credit profile. Set up autopay for at least the minimum payment on every account.

Amounts Owed/Credit Utilization (30%) — Credit utilization measures how much of your available credit you're currently using. In general, keeping balances below 30% of your limit, and ideally lower, may help your score. Let’s also bust a common myth right now: carrying a balance does not help your score. Paying your balance in full every month is better for both your credit score and your wallet.

Length of Credit History (15%) — The longer your accounts have been open, the better your credit score. Avoid closing old credit cards, especially ones with no annual fee. Doing so shortens your average account age and reduces your available credit.

New Credit (10%) — Every new credit application triggers a hard inquiry that can ding your score for up to six months. Space out applications strategically.

Credit Mix (10%) — A healthy variety of account types (credit cards, auto loans, a mortgage, etc.) can help your credit score. However, don't open new accounts just to diversify.

One of the Fastest Ways to Help Improve Your Credit Score? Lower Your Utilization.

Of all five factors, utilization is the one you can improve the quickest — sometimes within a single billing cycle.

Say you have a $1,200 balance on a card with a $3,000 limit. That puts you at 40% utilization — above the recommended threshold. Paying it down to $300 drops you to 10%, and you may see a positive impact on your score the next time your balance is reported. 

Here’s a bonus tip: Your card issuer reports your balance on your statement closing date, not your payment due date. If you pay down your balance before the statement closes, the credit bureaus see the lower number — even if you charge it back up afterward.

Build a Credit Health Routine

Credit isn't a set-it-and-forget-it number. Think of it more like physical fitness — consistent habits matter more than any single action.

Automate your safety net. Set up autopay for every credit account, even if you prefer to also make manual payments. The autopay is your backup — it ensures nothing slips through the cracks during a busy month.

Check your reports regularly. Pull your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com³ and review it for errors. Inaccurate late payments, unfamiliar accounts, and incorrect balances are more common than you'd think — and they can quietly drag your score down.

Time your applications. If you're planning a major purchase like a home or car, avoid opening new credit accounts in the months leading up to it. Each application triggers a hard inquiry and clustering them together sends the wrong signal to lenders.

Your Next Step

Pick the one habit from this list that you're not doing yet — and start it this week. You don't need to overhaul your finances overnight. Credit health is built from small, repeatable actions. And over time, those actions compound into a stronger credit score, better rates, and more financial options when you need them most.