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Ultimate Guide 10 min read Updated 2026-02-01

Credit Score Guide 2026: How to Build & Improve

Understand credit scores, factors that matter, and proven strategies to improve yours.

Table of Contents

What Affects Your Score

FactorWeight
Payment history35%
Credit utilization30%
Length of history15%
Credit mix10%
New inquiries10%

How to Improve

Quick Wins (30-60 days):
  • Pay down credit card balances below 30%
  • Dispute errors on credit report
  • Become authorized user on old account
Long-term:
  • Always pay on time
  • Keep old accounts open
  • Limit new applications
  • Mix of credit types

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