How long does it take to build up your credit score again?
Sarah Martinez
Updated on January 22, 2026
How long it takes to raise your score
| Event | Average credit score recovery time |
|---|---|
| Missed/defaulted payment | 18 months |
| Late mortgage payment (30 to 90 days) | 9 months |
| Closing credit card account | 3 months |
| Maxed credit card account | 3 months |
How can I rebuild my credit fast?
Then consider these six basic strategies for rebuilding credit:
- Pay on time. Pay bills and any existing lines of credit on time if you possibly can.
- Try to keep most of your credit limit available.
- Get a secured credit card.
- Get a credit-builder loan or secured loan.
- Become an authorized user.
- Get a co-signer.
Can I buy a house with a 480 credit score?
You’ll find it very difficult to borrow with a 480 credit score, unless you’re looking for a student loan. In particular, you’re unlikely to qualify for a mortgage with a 480 credit score because FHA-backed home loans require a minimum score of 500. But your odds are a bit higher with other types of loans.
How long does it take to rebuild a bad credit score?
There is no standard time frame for how long it can take to repair past credit mistakes and increase your score into the “good credit” range, which means a FICO score of 670 or better. 2 Your credit rebuilding process may hinge on the severity of the negative history dragging down your score.
How long does it take to build a credit score from scratch?
To build a credit score from scratch, you first need to use credit—such as by opening and using a credit card or paying back a loan. It will take about six months of credit activity to establish enough history for a FICO credit score, which is used in 90% of lending decisions.
How long does it take to get a good credit score?
Scores over 800 are considered excellent. Don’t expect a spectacular number right off the bat. While you can build up enough credit history in less than a year to generate a score, it takes years of smart credit use to get a good or excellent credit score . VantageScore —another type of credit score—can be generated sooner than your FICO scores.
How long does it take to get your credit back after a bad event?
But if the bad-credit event happened years ago, you may be closer to a score increase than you realize. In theory, someone with an excellent FICO credit score of 800 or better may experience a longer wait time to get back to excellent credit if their score dipped into the poor credit range.
