How Much Can Your Credit Score Increase When You Start Building or Improving It?

Jasmine Trespecio
Apr 29
3 min read

When people begin their credit journey or decide to repair and improve their credit, one of the first questions they often ask is: “How much will my credit score go up?” It’s a great question—but the answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Credit score improvement depends on many factors, including where you're starting from, how consistent you are, and what negative marks you're working against.

Let’s break it down realistically.

1. Starting from Scratch (No Credit History)

If you're just beginning to build credit from the ground up, your score typically starts low—not because you’ve done anything wrong, but because there’s just not enough data to judge you on.

Expected Increase: Within the first 3 to 6 months of responsible credit use, you might see your score climb into the 600s (a fair range).
Using a secured credit card, becoming an authorized user, or taking out a credit-builder loan can help jump-start this process.
By 12 months of on-time payments and low utilization, many people reach the mid-600s to low 700s.

2. Rebuilding from Bad Credit (Scores below 580)

If you’re repairing credit after past mistakes—like late payments, collections, or high credit utilization—the potential for improvement is high, but the process can take longer.

Expected Increase: You might see a 30 to 100 point increase within 3 to 6 months if you start making all payments on time, pay down debt, and avoid new negative marks.
Removing negative items (such as collections or charge-offs) can also lead to noticeable jumps—but that usually involves either paying them off, disputing inaccuracies, or negotiating deletions.

3. Moderate Credit (Scores between 580–670)

This is where many people find themselves: not terrible credit, but not great either. This range offers a good opportunity to see noticeable gains with a few smart moves.

Expected Increase: A realistic gain here is 20 to 60 points in the first few months with consistent on-time payments and lowered credit utilization.
Getting credit utilization below 30%, keeping accounts open and active, and avoiding new hard inquiries can help push scores into the 700+ range over time.

4. Good Credit Looking to Improve (Scores 670+)

Once you’re in the "good" category, gains come slower and smaller. The higher your score, the harder it is to move the needle—but every point counts, especially when trying to qualify for the best rates on loans or mortgages.

Expected Increase: You might see 5 to 20 points over a few months if you maintain strong habits or make small adjustments (like reducing utilization from 20% to 5%).

So, What’s a Realistic Expectation?

Short-term (3–6 months): A 30 to 100 point increase is possible, especially if you're starting from a low baseline.
Mid-term (6–12 months): A 50 to 150 point increase is realistic with consistent effort and strategic changes.
Long-term (12+ months): Many people can raise their scores by 150+ points, especially if they started in a low range and eliminated major negative items.

Improving your credit isn’t about overnight miracles—it’s about consistent, smart financial behavior over time. Keep in mind:

Credit scores are updated monthly.
Payment history and credit utilization carry the most weight (65% of your score combined).
It’s okay if progress seems slow at first—every small improvement opens up better financial opportunities.

If you’re just getting started or working to repair your credit, the best thing you can do is stay committed. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you.