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The Daily Insight Hub

How can I get good credit at a young age?

Author

Emma Miller

Updated on February 17, 2026

Credit Tips for All Ages

  1. Establish and maintain a credit history.
  2. Pay your bills on time.
  3. Establish good credit while you are young.
  4. Open a credit card account, and use it wisely.
  5. Take out an installment loan.
  6. Have someone cosign if necessary.
  7. Demonstrate stability.
  8. Plan ahead for major credit purchases.

How can I get credit at 16?

Here are a five ways high school students can start building good credit (plus some tips on how to maintain it).

  1. Get a Job.
  2. Get Added as an Authorized User.
  3. Get a Secured Credit Card.
  4. Get a Student Credit Card.
  5. Use Good Credit Card Habits.

How can a 14 year old get credit?

Teens can begin building credit at a young age by becoming authorized users on their parents’ credit cards. At 18, teens can apply for a credit card in their own name. The best teen credit cards have low credit requirements and keep costs to a minimum.

Can a 14 year old have a credit score?

Typically, only people over the age of 18 have a credit score — but it is possible for minors to have a credit report. A person under 18 can have a credit report if : Their identity was stolen and used to open one or more credit accounts.

Can a 16 year old build credit?

You can begin building your child’s credit whenever you want to by making him or her an authorized user on your credit card. Usually, you have to be at least 18 and have an income to take on a credit card or loan, which are the conventional ways that people start building credit.

Can a minor build credit?

Can you have a credit score at 17?

To start building credit at 17, you would need to be listed on a credit-related account like a credit card or loan. Contrary to popular misconceptions, you can’t build credit with a regular bank account like a checking account, savings account, debit card, or just getting a job. It takes credit to build credit.

How to build a credit history for a young person?

1 Set Up Automatic Payments 2 Get A Low-Limit Credit Card 3 Establish Good Financial Behaviors 4 Piggyback Off Of Others First 5 Build A Credit History 6 Take It Slowly 7 Scrap The Debit Card 8 Spend Within Your Means 9 Minimize Unsecured Debt 10 Ask For Help

How can a 18 year old get a credit card?

If you’re already 18, another option for establishing a credit history from scratch is getting a secured credit card. Secured credit cards require a security deposit that dictates your line of credit — for instance, a security deposit of $300 would get you a $300 credit limit.

When to increase your credit age by 15 years?

If there have been no late payments and the card’s credit utilization percentage is no higher than on your own two cards, then by all means go for it. Otherwise, hold off for now.

When does a person start to build credit?

Still, many people start building credit when they’re young, even if it happens to be bad credit. Generation Z, the generation of individuals born in 1996 or later, average 1.29 credit cards per person, demonstrating that even these young people are building credit.