What is a good credit score, and what actually moves it

You do not have one credit score. Different companies make scoring models, each has versions, and each bureau's file can differ, so the score a mortgage lender sees may not match the one on your card statement. "Good" depends on the model and on the lender: each lender decides which scores qualify for which terms.

What does not change from model to model is what the scores are built from: the information in your credit reports.

What goes into a score

FICO publishes the weights it gives five categories of information:

Other models weigh things differently, but the order of importance is broadly the same.

What moves it

• Pay on time, every time. Payment history is the largest factor. If you have missed payments, getting current and staying current matters most. Automatic payments or reminders help.
• Keep balances low against your limits. The CFPB cites experts who advise using no more than 30 percent of your total limit. The utilization calculator shows where you are.
• Let accounts age. A longer history gives a model more to go on.
• Apply only for credit you need. Many applications in a short time can read as financial strain.
• Check your reports for errors. A wrong late payment or a debt that is not yours can cost you; dispute it.

Where to see your reports and scores

Your reports are free every week from each of the three nationwide bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Checking your own report or score does not lower it. Many card issuers and banks show a free score; note which model and which bureau it comes from before comparing it with another.