What Credit Score Do You Start With?

When you’re just starting out on your credit journey, there’s a lot to learn. You might be curious about what your first credit score might look like and when you’ll get it.

The short answer: There isn’t a universal starting credit score, and those figures are only generated once you’ve had credit activity reported to at least 1 of the 3 main credit bureaus.

Let’s discuss how credit scores work for those who are new to credit, including what starting score you might see, how credit scores are calculated and tips for building credit.

Do you start with a credit score?

You generally won’t have a credit score until you’ve opened a credit account and that creditor reports your information to the credit bureaus. This is because the credit bureaus require data to calculate your credit score, whether that data comes from on-time payments or your account history.

Credit scores are complex and can change over time depending on your activity, as reported to the credit bureaus. Your starting credit score can also vary based on that activity.

How is your first credit score calculated?

Once a credit score is generated, it’s typically based on factors like:

• Payment history: This is typically the most impactful credit score factor. It looks at on-time and late payments as well as other relevant information, like bankruptcy records.
• Credit utilization: Credit scores consider how much you owe, as well as your credit utilization (the amount of revolving credit you owe compared to your total credit limit). The lower your credit utilization, the better it is for your credit score.
• Length of credit history: The length of your credit history, including the age of your oldest account as well as your average account age, can also help determine your credit score. A longer credit history can help improve your credit score.
• Credit mix: The types of accounts you have, such as credit cards and personal loans, also impact your credit score. A more diverse mix is typically preferred.
• Recent inquiries: When you apply for new credit, such as a loan or credit card, it generally adds a hard inquiry to your credit history. These naturally fall off your credit report over time. In general, having fewer hard credit inquiries is better for your credit score.

What credit score might you start with?

There is no fixed starting credit score, and it can depend on several factors, such as:

• The credit bureau your data is pulled from
• The credit scoring model used to calculate your credit score
• How you handle your credit

Rest assured that you won’t have to start from 0 — credit scores typically range from 300 to 850. Your first credit score will fall somewhere along that spectrum. With good credit habits, you likely won’t start at the lowest end of that range.

How long does it take to get your first credit score?

It typically takes 3 to 6 months of credit activity for the credit bureaus to calculate a credit score. However, the exact timing may depend on the scoring model.

Building your credit from the start

Strong credit habits are key to building credit and working toward a high credit score. Some of the steps you may take to help boost your credit score early on include:

• Making on-time payments: Since this is typically the most influential credit score factor, it’s a good idea to avoid late payments across your credit accounts. Signing up for autopay can help, provided you have the necessary funds in your account.
• Keeping your credit card balances: If you carry a balance on a credit card, keeping that balance, as well as your overall credit utilization, as low as possible can help your credit score as well as your wallet.
• Limiting new credit applications: In general, it’s a good idea to avoid applying for new credit too often to limit the number of new credit inquiries on your credit report. For example, you may wait to apply for new credit until a previous inquiry falls off your credit report. (That typically happens after 2 years.)

Tracking your credit reports is another key part of building your credit score. It can help you take targeted steps to help strengthen your credit.

You may be able to get a free weekly copy of your credit report from each of the 3 major credit bureaus. If you see anything on your credit reports that isn’t accurate, you can dispute that with the credit bureaus as well as the lender that reported that information. That will help ensure accuracy and, depending on the error and if it is corrected, may help your credit score.

Disclosure: This article is for educational purposes. It is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and is not a substitute for professional advice. It does not indicate the availability of any Citi product or service. For advice about your specific circumstances, you should consult a qualified professional.