Credit scores explained: what actually moves the number

A credit score is a three-digit number calculated from your borrowing history, and lenders use it to guess how likely you are to repay on time. The two main scoring models are FICO and VantageScore. The general-use FICO Score runs from 300 to 850, and higher is better. What actually moves the number comes down to five factors: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix. Payment history carries the most weight by a clear margin, so a pattern of on-time payments matters more than almost anything else you can do. For related coverage, see t54 signs three MOUs for AI agent finance: what the paperwork actually says. Before the breakdown, one framing note. A score is a prediction tool, not a moral report card. It rewards steady, boring behavior over time. That is good news, because it means the levers are known and mostly within your control. What are the five factors, and how much does each one count?

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