What credit score do you start with? All you need to know about your starting credit score

Why does the credit score you start with matter?

If you’re a young adult, learning what credit score you start with at 18 and taking steps to build good credit early can have a lasting impact on your financial opportunities going forward. 

A good credit standing gives lenders confidence. Banks, credit unions, and other lenders rely on FICO credit score data and other models to assess how likely you are to honor your commitments. So a higher starting number can make it easier to qualify for a lower-interest car loan or secure better credit card offers. 

While no single “magic number” that guarantees approval exists, if you have a weak starting score or no score at all, you’re more likely to encounter financial obstacles. Someone who is credit invisible might face:

• Higher borrowing costs. Lower scores typically mean higher interest rates on credit cards, car loans, and mortgages. Over time, they can add up to thousands (or even tens of thousands) of dollars in extra costs.
• Difficulty renting an apartment. Landlords often check credit reports to evaluate how likely you are to pay rent on time. A low score or a bad credit history can lead to higher security deposits or rental denials altogether.
• Utility and mobile service hurdles. Utility providers and mobile phone companies may run credit checks before approving services. With poor credit, you might need to pay a larger deposit or get a co-signer before they turn on your service.
• Limited job opportunities. In certain industries, such as finance or healthcare, employers can legally review your credit reports during the hiring process. Negative information might not automatically disqualify you, but good credit can make a stronger impression.
• Higher insurance premiums. In many states, auto insurers use credit-based insurance scores to help set rates. Better credit can lead to lower premiums, while bad credit may mean paying more for the same coverage.

But credit standing is not a fixed number. The credit score you start with will change over time based on your financial behavior and the information reported to the three credit bureaus. However, by starting with good habits early, you can build a strong credit foundation that grows with you.

What credit score do you start with?

No one receives a default credit score when they enter the credit system. A person without any credit history has no score at all because creditors can’t evaluate someone until some activity appears in their credit file. People in this position are considered credit invisible, meaning the credit bureaus don’t have enough data to generate a number.

Once you open a credit account, for example, by getting a credit card or taking out a small personal loan, lenders report your activity to the credit bureaus. Over time, as that information builds, credit scoring models apply their formulas to generate your credit standing. Whether that number lands closer to Fair or Good depends on how responsibly you handle that early credit.

This concept is especially important for people starting out later in life, such as immigrants entering the credit system for the first time. Even with a stable income, they may begin without a score. By understanding the rules early and building a track record, they can achieve a strong starting credit score relatively quickly.

When do you get your first credit score?

The timeline for receiving a starting credit score depends on how quickly you meet the minimum scoring criteria. Most people see their first credit score appear within one to six months of opening their first credit account. For many, it happens around age 18 when applying for a starter card or small loan, but it can happen earlier through other methods. 

Becoming an authorized user on a family member's credit card can jump-start this process. If that account has a long, positive payment history, low credit utilization, and consistent credit activity, those traits may reflect on your own credit report. This strategy helps some young people establish credit before applying independently.

FICO generally requires at least one account to be open for six months, and at least one account reported to a major credit bureau during that time. VantageScore models can sometimes generate a score in as little as one month because they require less data. Either way, credit scoring firms rely on lenders to report information to the credit bureaus. If a lender doesn’t report to all three credit companies, you may see different credit scores from each bureau during the early months.

How is the credit score you start with calculated?

Your starting credit score is calculated using the same factors that determine all credit scores. While the exact weighting depends on the scoring model — see, for example, FICO score vs. credit score from VantageScore, a comparison of the two dominant credit scoring companies — the main components remain the same.

According to Experian (“What affects your credit scores,” 2025), these factors make up your credit score:

• Payment history (35%). Whether you make payments on time is the single most important factor. Even one missed payment can harm your score, especially early on.
• Amounts owed (30%). Also called the credit utilization ratio, it measures how much of your available credit you use. While this may sound counterintuitive, the fact is that you can receive a lower score if you aren’t carrying any debt at all. Credit scoring models often reward responsible, low-level usage over complete inactivity.
• Credit age (15%). The longer your accounts have been open, the more positively it impacts your score.
• New credit (10%). New credit applications show up as hard inquiries. Too many, too quickly, can temporarily make your credit worse. 
• Credit mix (10%). Lenders like to see that you can handle both revolving credit (like credit cards) and installment loans (like a car loan). A diverse profile looks less risky over time.

Each scoring model weighs these factors slightly differently. For example, FICO may place more emphasis on payment history, while VantageScore might react more quickly to credit utilization rate changes. These variations explain why you might see different credit scores across platforms, especially early in your credit journey.

What is a good starting credit score?

A good credit score depends on the scoring system used. Credit scores typically fall between 300 and 850, but each major credit scoring company draws the lines a little differently.

In both systems, the ranges for a good credit score typically start at around 660-670. However, it’s uncommon to start at these levels right away. Most people’s starting credit scores land in the Fair or Near Prime categories. That’s completely normal. Lenders understand that new borrowers haven’t had time to build lengthy credit histories. Good credit habits can quickly move your score into the Good or Prime range.

How to build a good starting credit score

Building a solid credit score starts with strategic, consistent behaviors. The early months of your credit journey carry the most weight because every action shapes your initial data with the credit companies:

• Open a secured credit card. A secured credit card requires a refundable security deposit, which acts as your credit limit. Use it for small purchases and pay in full each month to build credit.
• Make on-time payments. Your payment history carries the most weight. Setting up automatic payments helps avoid mistakes and missed payments.
• Keep utilization low. Keeping your credit card balances low relative to your credit limit shows lenders you use credit responsibly. Many experts recommend staying below 30%, ideally even lower.
• Limit new accounts. Too many credit applications can hurt your score. Focus on one credit account at a time and give yourself several months to demonstrate strong credit habits.
• Monitor your credit report. Regularly check your Equifax, TransUnion, or Experian credit report for errors. Mistakes in your credit file can hold back your score.
• Consider other tools. If you can’t qualify for a card on your own, becoming an authorized user on a trusted family member's credit card or using a credit builder loan can help establish credit.

Practicing these steps consistently often moves people into the good credit range within a year.

The information and tips provided in this article are for general financial education purposes only and do not constitute credit counseling, legal advice, or personalized financial guidance.

How to check your starting credit score

Once you’ve opened accounts and started to build credit, checking your credit score regularly helps you spot issues early and adjust strategies as needed.

Many credit card issuers provide free FICO credit score or VantageScore updates each month. Logging into your bank or credit card app often gives you access to your current score and key factors affecting it.

You can also access your credit report from the three major credit bureaus for free weekly through the official government site, AnnualCreditReport.com. While these reports don’t automatically include a score, they provide the raw data used by credit scoring companies to generate scores.

To ensure your score is accurate, compare it across multiple sources. Different scoring models may show slightly different numbers. Small discrepancies are normal, but big gaps can signal a problem with your credit report.

How to maintain a good credit score

Reaching a good credit score is only the beginning. Keeping it strong over time requires consistent behavior and strategic thinking:

• Keep older accounts open. Length of credit history matters. Even if you no longer use a card regularly, keeping it open (and at a $0 balance) can help maintain your credit age and improve your credit utilization ratio by increasing available credit.
• Diversify your credit mix. Over time, adding installment loans to your profile can strengthen your credit mix. Lenders like to see that you can manage different credit types effectively.
• Pay every bill on time. Even after your score improves, on-time payments remain the most critical factor. Late payments can cause significant drops, especially if your credit file is still relatively thin.
• Manage credit responsibly long term. Avoiding unnecessary closures and consistently paying down debt over time show lenders you’re reliable. Responsible behavior converts a decent starting credit score into a strong long-term credit profile.
• Monitor your credit activity. Regularly reviewing your credit report helps catch errors, fraud, or identity theft quickly. Identity theft protection services, like NordProtect, also offer a credit monitoring feature and real-time alerts to help you stay ahead of problems.