Your FICO score is more than just a number—it's the key to financial opportunities. Understanding how it works is the first step to taking control of your credit.
The 5 Factors That Determine Your FICO Score
1. Payment History (35%)
This is the most important factor. Even one late payment can drop your score by 60-110 points. Always pay on time, and if you've missed payments, dispute any inaccuracies and get back on track immediately.
2. Credit Utilization (30%)
This measures how much of your available credit you're using. Keep it below 30% across all cards, and ideally below 10% for the best scores.
3. Length of Credit History (15%)
Older accounts help your score. Don't close old credit cards, even if you're not using them—they contribute to your average account age.
4. Credit Mix (10%)
Having a variety of credit types (credit cards, auto loans, mortgages) shows lenders you can handle different types of credit responsibly.
5. New Credit (10%)
Too many recent applications or new accounts can hurt your score. Space out credit applications and only apply when necessary.
How to Improve Each Factor
With OriumAI, you can see exactly how each negative item affects your score and what removing it would do. Our realistic point impact predictions help you prioritize which items to dispute first for maximum results.
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