If you’re just starting your financial journey, you might wonder: “What does my credit score start at?” Many people believe that everyone begins with a specific score—either very low or at the top. The truth is, you don’t start with a credit score at all.
A credit score is not automatically assigned at birth, when you turn 18, or when you open a bank account. You must first establish a credit history. Once you use credit for the first time—such as opening a credit card or taking out a loan—the credit bureaus start collecting data. After a few months of credit activity, your first score is generated.
This guide breaks down how credit scores work, what your score starts at (or doesn’t), and how you can build credit responsibly from the beginning. Whether you’re a first-time borrower or helping someone else understand credit, this blog offers a complete, compliance-focused view of how credit scoring begins.
II. Do You Start with a Credit Score?
The short answer is no. You are not assigned a credit score automatically.
Credit scores are calculated based on information found in your credit report, which is created when you first engage in credit-related activity—like taking out a credit card, financing a phone, or applying for a loan. Until you do one of those things, you don’t have a credit file, and therefore no score.
According to FICO, a score can only be generated once your credit report meets these basic requirements:
- At least one credit account (tradeline) reported to a credit bureau
- The account has been active for at least six months
- There is activity on the account within the last six months
If these conditions are not met, a FICO Score cannot be calculated. The same principle applies to VantageScore, another major credit scoring model, although it may be able to score your profile slightly sooner with just one month of activity.
So, when someone says, “Everyone starts with a 300,” that is incorrect. You don’t have a credit score at all until you meet the basic activity requirements.
III. What Is the Starting Credit Score?
Once you meet the criteria to be scored, what number do you get? Contrary to popular belief, there is no fixed “starting credit score” like 300 or 850.
Credit scores in the FICO model range from 300 to 850. But your initial score depends entirely on how you use your first line of credit.
Here are a few important facts:
- You will not start with a perfect score (850) because you won’t have a long enough history.
- You also won’t start at 300, unless you immediately demonstrate extremely risky behavior.
- Most people who use credit responsibly from the beginning receive a first score between 650 and 700.
If you make on-time payments, keep your balances low, and avoid multiple new accounts in a short time, your starting score can be in the “good” range. If you miss payments, use too much available credit, or open many accounts at once, your score can start lower.
Your behavior during the first 6–12 months of credit use plays a crucial role in determining your initial score.
IV. What Determines Your First Credit Score?
Once your credit report contains enough data, a scoring model (like FICO or VantageScore) calculates your credit score based on five key factors. Each of these components plays a role from the very beginning.
1. Payment History – 35% of Your Score
This is the most important factor. Lenders want to know if you pay your bills on time. Just one missed or late payment on your first credit card can hurt your starting score.
Tip: Always pay at least the minimum amount due by the statement due date.
2. Amounts Owed – 30%
This refers to your credit utilization ratio—the percentage of available credit you’re using. A high utilization ratio signals risk to lenders.
Example: If you have a credit card with a $1,000 limit and carry a $900 balance, your utilization is 90%—which can lower your score significantly. Keeping your balance below 30% of your limit is ideal, and under 10% is even better.
3. Length of Credit History – 15%
When you’re just starting out, your credit history is short. That’s expected. While this category will carry more weight over time, your average account age still factors into your first score.
Tip: Keep older accounts open to lengthen your history as time passes.
4. Credit Mix – 10%
A healthy credit report includes a mix of revolving credit (like credit cards) and installment loans (like student or auto loans). While not critical for your first score, having a credit mix can help as you build history.
Tip: Don’t open unnecessary loans just for credit mix. Focus on managing one account well first.
5. New Credit – 10%
Applying for multiple credit accounts in a short period can lower your score. Each application results in a hard inquiry, which may cause a small, temporary drop in your score.
Tip: Limit new applications. Only apply for credit when necessary, especially in the first 12 months.
V. How to Establish Credit for the First Time
1. Apply for a Secured Credit Card
A secured card requires a refundable deposit—usually $200 to $500—and works like a regular credit card. It’s designed for people with no credit or poor credit.
- Reports to all three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion)
- Helps establish payment history and credit utilization
- After 6–12 months of on-time payments, you may qualify for a regular card
2. Become an Authorized User
Ask a parent, guardian, or trusted friend to add you as an authorized user on their credit card. Their positive payment history can help you start building credit, even if you never use the card.
Note: Not all issuers report authorized users, so verify before being added.
3. Take Out a Credit Builder Loan
Credit builder loans are small loans (usually $300 to $1,000) that are held in a secured account until you pay them off. Each on-time payment is reported to the credit bureaus.
These loans are available through:
- Credit unions
- Community banks
- Online lenders (Self, SeedFi, etc.)
4. Use Rent and Utility Reporting Services
If you already pay rent or utilities, consider using services that report these payments to credit bureaus. Examples include:
- Rental Kharma
- RentReporters
- Experian Boost (for utility and streaming service payments)
These services don’t guarantee a score increase, but they help add positive tradelines to your report.
5. Apply with a Co-Signer
If you don’t qualify for credit alone, a trusted adult with good credit can co-sign a loan or credit card. You’re still responsible for payments, but their credit history can help you get approved.
Caution: If you miss payments, both your credit and the co-signer’s will be affected.
VI. Common Misconceptions About Starting Credit Scores
Many people—especially those new to credit—have misconceptions about how credit scores work and what they start at. Let’s clarify a few of the most common myths.
❌ “Everyone starts at 300.”
This is false. A score of 300 is the lowest possible score in most models (FICO and VantageScore), but you don’t start there. In fact, you don’t have a credit score at all until you establish credit. Once a score is generated, it’s based entirely on how you’ve used your first account(s), not a default value.
❌ “Everyone starts at 850.”
Also false. A perfect score of 850 represents an extended, near-flawless credit history. Achieving this score requires years of on-time payments, low credit utilization, a long credit mix, and no recent negative items. No one starts at the top.
❌ “You automatically get a credit score when you turn 18.”
Not true. While turning 18 makes you eligible to start building credit, it doesn’t create a credit file. You must open and use credit accounts to generate a score. Without that activity, you remain “credit invisible.”
❌ “Checking your own credit score hurts your score.”
This is one of the most persistent myths. Checking your own score or report is considered a soft inquiry, which does not impact your score. In fact, regular self-monitoring is one of the best ways to catch errors or fraud early.
❌ “No credit is the same as good credit.”
False. Having no credit history is not the same as having a positive credit history. Lenders cannot evaluate your risk if you have no data. This makes it harder to qualify for loans or credit cards compared to someone with a short but clean history.
Understanding these misconceptions helps set realistic expectations and encourages responsible credit habits right from the start.
VII. Conclusion
So, what does your credit score start at? The truth is—it doesn’t start anywhere. You begin your credit journey with no score at all. Your score is only generated once you have at least one credit account reported to the bureaus and enough activity to evaluate.
From there, your first credit score will depend entirely on how you manage your new credit. Pay on time, use credit responsibly, and avoid applying for too many accounts at once, and your initial score could fall in the mid to high 600s or even into the low 700s.
If you’re just starting, consider:
- A secured credit card
- Becoming an authorized user
- Using rent-reporting tools like Rental Kharma
- Opening a credit builder loan
And remember—building credit is a long-term process. With time, consistency, and smart credit habits, your score will grow and unlock better financial opportunities.
✅ Need Help Building or Repairing Your Credit?
If you’re starting from scratch or trying to recover from past mistakes, you don’t have to go it alone. Credit Repair of Florida provides ethical, FCRA-compliant credit repair services to help you:
- Dispute inaccurate or outdated items
- Understand your credit reports
- Build strong credit from the ground up
- Prepare for important financial goals like buying a car or home
Whether you’re brand new to credit or need a reset, our team is here to help.
VIII. FAQs
1. How long does it take to get a credit score after opening an account?
It typically takes 3–6 months of activity on a credit account for a FICO Score to be generated. VantageScore may generate one sooner, often in 1–2 months if the account reports promptly.
2. What’s the average first credit score?
There is no official “average” starting score. However, if you use credit responsibly from the beginning, many people start with scores in the 650–700 range. Irresponsible use can result in scores in the 500s or lower.
3. Can I raise my credit score quickly after starting?
Yes, but it depends on your habits. Making on-time payments, keeping balances low, and avoiding unnecessary inquiries can raise your score significantly within the first 6–12 months. Services like Rental Kharma may also help by adding positive rental history.