The 5 Score Factors

Learn the five factors credit scores are built from, how much each generally weighs, and where to look first.

What is inside

The five factors and the approximate weights FICO publishes
What each factor means in everyday terms
Which factor to check first on your own report

Who it is for: Clients of a credit repair business who want to understand what affects their score, in plain language.

Questions

Why does payment history count the most?

Lenders want to see that you pay as agreed. FICO publishes an approximate weight of 35 percent for payment history, and the exact weight varies by person.

Are these five factors the same for every score?

The five factors are common, but different scoring models and versions can weigh them differently. Treat the weights as approximate.

Does my income affect my credit score?

Income is not one of the five factors. Credit scores are based on your credit file, not on how much you earn.

SCAIL is software and does not repair credit or promise results. Educational information, not legal advice. Laws change; verify with counsel.