Length of credit history is how long you've been using credit. FICO says it makes up about 15% of a FICO Score. You can't speed up time, but you can avoid the moves that make your history look shorter than it is.
Where it fits in your score
| FICO Score factor | Share of the score |
|---|---|
| Payment history | 35% |
| Amounts owed | 30% |
| Length of credit history | 15% |
| New credit | 10% |
| Credit mix | 10% |
These are FICO's general weights for the overall population. Your own mix can differ. VantageScore uses its own factors but also rewards a longer history.
What "length" actually measures
- Age of your oldest account.
- Age of your newest account.
- Average age of all your accounts.
- How long specific accounts have been open, and how long since you used them.
Opening a new card lowers your average age right away. That's one reason a new account can cause a small, temporary dip.
Do closed accounts still count?
Yes, for a while. A closed account that was always paid on time can stay on your credit reports for up to 10 years after it's closed, and it keeps adding to your history while it's there. A closed account with late payments generally comes off seven years after the first missed payment that led to it.
Should you close your oldest card?
Usually not, if it has no annual fee. Closing it doesn't erase its history right away, but you lose its credit limit, which can push up your credit utilization (the share of your limits you're using). Utilization is part of the "amounts owed" factor, which carries more weight than length.
If an old card has a fee you don't want to pay, ask the issuer to switch it to a no-fee card. A product change usually keeps the same account open.
How to build history faster
- Start now. If you don't have any accounts, a secured card or credit-builder loan starts the clock.
- Become an authorized user on a family member's older card. Many scoring models count the account's history in your file. Choose someone who always pays on time.
- Space out new applications. Each new account lowers your average age, and each application can add a hard inquiry.
- Keep old accounts active. A small charge every few months, paid in full, can keep an issuer from closing a card for inactivity.
How long is "long enough"?
There's no single number. FICO has said people with the highest scores tend to have long histories, often with oldest accounts open for many years. Don't let that discourage you: on-time payments and low balances matter more, and you control both today.