Building good credit can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re starting from scratch Many people wonder, “Can I realistically build good credit in just 6 months?” The short answer is yes, you absolutely can build the foundation for a good credit score within 6 months by following some essential strategies
In this complete guide, we’ll explain everything you need to know to build good credit in 6 months or less.
What Constitutes a Good Credit Score?
Before diving into how to build good credit, let’s define what makes a credit score “good.” Credit scoring models like FICO and VantageScore grade your credit on a scale from 300 to 850. In general, scores above 670 are considered good, while scores of 720 and higher are excellent.
Here’s a quick rundown of the credit score ranges:
- 300 to 579: Poor
- 580 to 669: Fair
- 670 to 739: Good
- 740 to 799: Very Good
- 800 to 850: Exceptional
So for our purposes, let’s set a target of reaching a score of at least 670 within 6 months. This will qualify you for most loans and credit cards at decent interest rates.
How Credit Scores Are Calculated
To maximize your credit score efficiently, it helps to understand what goes into it. FICO and VantageScore both use similar formulas that are largely based on these five factors:
- Payment history (35% of your FICO score): Whether you pay your bills on time. This has the greatest impact on your score.
- Credit utilization (30%): The ratio of credit you’re using compared to your overall limits. Keeping this low is key.
- Credit history length (15%): How long you’ve been using credit. Older accounts help your score.
- Credit mix (10%): Whether you have different types of credit like credit cards, loans, etc. Diversity helps.
- New credit (10%): The number of new accounts and inquiries. Too many dings your score.
This breakdown gives you an idea of where to focus your efforts to boost your score most efficiently. Next, let’s get into proven strategies.
6 Strategies to Build Good Credit in 6 Months
It’s not likely that you’ll go from having no credit to having an 800 credit score in six months. But if you use targeted strategies, you can definitely get above the “good credit” mark in 6 months. Here are the techniques to focus on .
1. Become an Authorized User on Someone’s Credit Card
If you have a family member or partner with a long credit history and good payment record, ask them to add you as an authorized user on one of their credit cards This connects their account history to your credit report, giving you a major boost—especially when you’re starting from no credit.
Also, make sure they add you correctly so that the account is sent to the credit bureaus. As an authorized user, don’t use a card that has missed payments. That can hurt your score instead of helping it.
2. Open a Secured Credit Card
Secured cards require an upfront security deposit that acts as your credit limit. The deposit shows issuers you can handle credit responsibly. Charges and payments are reported to the bureaus like any other card. After about 6-12 months of on-time payments, you can often upgrade to an unsecured card and get your deposit back.
For the best results, look for a secured card that reports to all three major credit bureaus. Use it lightly and pay off the balance each month.
3. Take Out a Credit-Builder Loan
Similar to secured cards, credit-builder loans allow you to build payment history that gets reported to the credit bureaus. The lender gives you the full loan amount upfront, which you pay back over time with interest. On-time payments show you can handle credit well.
Credit unions often offer credit-builder loans. Like other new credit accounts, limit applications to avoid too many hard inquiries.
4. Become an Authorized User on Someone’s Credit Card
Did we mention this one already? That’s because becoming an authorized user is one of the quickest ways to establish good credit in 6 months or less. The primary cardholder’s history gets added to your report, bumping up your score.
Ask an adult family member or friend who has had the card for years to add you. Paying late or having a lot of debt on an account can hurt your score, so stay away from those.
5. Use a Secured Credit Card
We’re recommending secured credit cards again for good reason. They can be one of the easiest starting points if you’re building credit from nothing. The required security deposit lowers the issuer’s risk and helps qualify applicants with no credit history.
Use the card lightly for 6-12 months, paying off the monthly balance on time and keeping the utilization ratio low. This shows lenders you can handle credit responsibly over time.
6. Sign Up for a Credit-Builder Loan
As we mentioned earlier, credit-builder loans allow you to build positive payment history that gets reported to the credit bureaus and added to your credit reports. They essentially flip traditional loans—you get the money upfront and make payments over time.
Many credit unions offer credit-builder loans at reasonable interest rates. Like other new credit accounts, limit applications and only apply for what you need to avoid too many hard inquiries.
Other Tips to Build Credit Fast
In addition to the key strategies above, here are some other tips that can help build your credit quickly:
- Check your credit reports and dispute any errors—mistakes can significantly drag down your scores.
- Set up automatic bill payments so you never miss a payment due date.
- Keep credit card balances low; aim for less than 30% and ideally 10% credit utilization.
- Don’t close your oldest credit accounts, as history length matters.
- Limit new credit card applications once you have a couple of cards.
- Consider adding your rent payments to your credit reports via services like RentTrack.
Monitor Your Progress
The last piece is to monitor your credit scores regularly so you can gauge your progress. Many credit cards and other lenders offer free credit scores through their online accounts. You can also use free services like those from Credit Karma and NerdWallet.
Shoot to check your scores at least monthly so you can modify your credit-building strategies if needed. Within 6 months of diligent effort, you should be well on your way to crossing the good credit threshold.
The Bottom Line
While building excellent, top-tier credit takes years, you absolutely can establish good credit in 6 months or less by using the right techniques. Becoming an authorized user, opening secured cards, taking out credit-builder loans, and monitoring your scores are proven ways to build credit quickly.
With a focused effort, checking credit reports vigilantly, limiting new accounts after getting started, and practicing good credit habits, your score can realistically cross into the good range within half a year. Monitor your progress, be patient, and let this guide put you on the fast track to good credit.
Avoid credit applications (10% of your score)
Credit inquiries happen right away and take 5 to 10 points off your score, even though new credit only counts for 10% of your FICO score. Open new accounts as little as possible if you want to raise your credit score.
Gonzalez says that the new credit inquiry is likely to cancel out any small boost that comes from having less credit being used after getting a new credit line.
Things like car loans and store cards count too, so if you want to raise your credit score, try not to take out a new car loan or apply for new credit cards. Do your best to put off new purchases that would require new credit. Instead, save up the cash you need ahead of time wherever you can.
Remember, this is only affected by “hard inquiries” that actually hit your credit. You can check your own credit score as often as you like, but if a store or other lender checks it because you’re interested in a credit card or a loan, that can hit your credit score even if you decide not to take their offer. Plus, once that hard inquiry is in your credit record, it will stay there for 2 years.
Keep cards open over time (15% of your score)
Keeping cards open, even if you don’t plan on using them, does a couple of great things to build credit. First, it keeps your total credit limit higher, which makes it easier to use just 10% of that total.
For example, let’s say your total credit limit across all your cards is $12,000. You can borrow up to $1,200 and still only be at 10% of that total. But if you close one of those cards that has a $3,000 limit, your total limit drops to $9,000. You’d have to keep your balances below $900 instead of below $1,200. So keep those cards and credit lines open!
Additionally, 15% of your FICO score is based on the length of your credit history. If you close an account you’ve had for a while, you lose that history. While you can’t change the total length of your credit history overnight, keeping your lines of credit open over the next 6 months will give you a credit history that’s 6 months longer than it was before — just don’t close any older accounts during that time.
From ZERO to 700 Credit Score in 6 MONTHS
FAQ
How long does it take to build credit?
Starting with zero credit history, you can establish credit in as little as six months. Achieving a “good” credit score of 700 or better usually requires making timely payments for at least 18 months to two years, but it’s possible to find shortcuts. Building credit is an extremely important step to adulting like a pro.
How long does it take to boost your credit score?
Get started today… Boost your credit score quickly and see improvement in as little as a month. Raise your score by 100 points or more within six months.
How can I improve my credit score in 6 months?
Be patient and consistent in your efforts. Improving your credit score in six months is an achievable goal with the right approach. Your credit health can get a lot better if you pay your bills on time, use less credit, handle your credit accounts wisely, and use tools like secured cards or authorized user status.
How long does it take to get a good credit score?
About six months of on-time payments should help you get a decent credit score. A great score takes longer. The products shown on this page are mostly or entirely from our advertising partners. They pay us when you click on one of their links and do something on our site.
How long does a good credit history take?
A good credit history is based on the responsible use of credit over time. You can take steps to raise your score in as little as six months, but most big jumps tend to take longer. Patience and responsibility (like making your monthly payments) are key here. This is particularly true if you already have a spotless credit history.
How to build credit if you have a bad credit score?
If you have a bad credit score, the most important factor to focus on is your payment history. This accounts for 35% of your FICO credit score. To improve your score, aim to pay your bills on or before the due date. Setting up automatic payments is an easy way to ensure timely payments.
Is 6 months enough to build credit?
Having good credit means having a good credit history but building a credit history isn’t instant. If you haven’t used credit before, it could take at least six months to generate a credit score, and longer to establish a good or excellent score.
Can you get a 700 credit score in 6 months?
How fast can you realistically build credit?
For individuals starting from scratch, it’s possible to establish a fair credit score (600-699) within a year or two by consistently making timely payments, maintaining low credit utilization, and avoiding unnecessary hard inquiries.
Can you raise your credit score 200 points in 6 months?