Length of Credit History
The FICO score factor that accounts for 15% of your score. Considers the age of your oldest account, the age of your newest account, and the average age of all accounts. Longer credit history generally improves this factor.
Related guides
- Full credit & FICO® glossary
Browse all defined terms by category.
- Average Account Age
The average age of all open credit accounts on your credit report. Part of the length of credit history factor (15% of FICO score). Opening new accounts and closing old ones both lower your average account age, which can hurt your score.
- FICO Score
A three-digit number ranging from 300 to 850 that represents your creditworthiness, calculated by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) using data from your credit report. Used by 90% of top US lenders to evaluate loan and credit card applications.
Frequently Asked Questions About Length of Credit History
What does Length of Credit History mean?
The FICO score factor that accounts for 15% of your score. Considers the age of your oldest account, the age of your newest account, and the average age of all accounts. Longer credit history generally improves this factor.
Is Length of Credit History important for my FICO® score?
Yes — Length of Credit History is one of the five factors that directly determine your FICO® score. Understanding it helps you make better decisions about your credit.