On-Time Payment
A payment made by or before the due date. Consistent on-time payments are the single most important action you can take to build and maintain a strong credit score. Payment history is 35% of your FICO score. Accounts that never report a late payment build strong positive history over time.
Related guides
- Full credit & FICO® glossary
Browse all defined terms by category.
- Payment History
The most heavily weighted factor in your FICO score, accounting for 35% of the calculation. Reflects whether you've paid your bills on time. Late payments, collections, bankruptcies, and charge-offs all negatively affect this factor.
- 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 On-Time Payment
What does On-Time Payment mean?
A payment made by or before the due date. Consistent on-time payments are the single most important action you can take to build and maintain a strong credit score. Payment history is 35% of your FICO score. Accounts that never report a late payment build strong positive history over time.
Is On-Time Payment important for my FICO® score?
Understanding On-Time Payment helps you manage your credit profile more effectively, which in turn supports a stronger FICO® score.