What is my credit score if I have never borrowed money?

Asked by: Reymundo Witting  |  Last update: August 16, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (45 votes)

Having no credit history typically means you don't have a credit score at all. This is different from having a low credit score, which can stem from having limited credit history or negative reporting on your credit reports. If you have no credit history at all, building credit from scratch should be one of your goals.

What is my credit score if I've never taken a loan?

A CIBIL Score minus 1 means that you have no credit history whatsoever. It is assigned when there is no previous borrowing history, no credit card in your name, and no track record on which your creditworthiness can be based.

What is my credit score if I have no history?

There isn't a set credit score that each person starts out with. Instead, if you don't have any credit history, you likely don't have a score at all.

What is my credit score if I have no debt?

Ultimately, paying off credit cards and other balances and carrying no debt does not prevent someone from having a high credit score. As mentioned previously, more than 80% of people with no debt currently on their credit report receive a FICO® Score of 700 or above.

Can you have a credit score without borrowing money?

Reporting utility bill payments to a credit bureau is another way to build a credit history and get a credit score without borrowing money.

Why Don't I Have a FICO Score? - CreditGuide360.com

20 related questions found

Is my credit score good if I have never borrowed money?

Having no debt isn't bad for your credit as long as there is some activity on your credit reports. You can have a great score without paying a penny of interest.

How long does it take to build credit from 0 to 700?

Starting from zero, building a credit score takes about three to six months of using credit, says Experian®. But getting an excellent score takes longer. If you're new to credit, it might take six months to a year to hit a respectable score of around 700 with FICO® or VantageScore® models.

What is your starting credit score?

You'll have enough credit history to generate a score when you've had a credit card or loan for six months. But your score won't start at zero, or even the lowest FICO score (300). Your first credit score will likely fall somewhere in the middle of the credit range of 300 to 850.

Why is my credit score bad when I have no debt?

If you have no record of handling credit previously, lenders have no evidence that you can borrow responsibly. This is referred to as having “thin credit” and can give you a lower score than you'd like. Thin credit can mean you have a low credit score, despite having no debt.

What is your credit score if you've never done anything?

Because of this, they are likely to encounter roadblocks if they need to access a line of credit. This does not mean those consumers have a credit score of zero. No credit history associated with a consumer's profile means they have no credit score at all.

What is my credit score if I just got my Social Security number?

You won't get a credit score file opened with SSN as account number unless you open a credit card or get a loan account opened. Your score get better and better with time when you open the credit card and use that credit amount responsibly or loan account opened and pay them on time.

What credit score does an 18 year old start with?

The truth is, there isn't a set score number that you start with at 18. You don't begin on zero, for example. You may find that the CRA could struggle to find enough financial data about you the first time you try to check your credit reports.

Is a zero credit score good?

No. Fortunately, no one's credit score can equal zero – the range for FICO scores is 300-850 – and even people with poor or bad credit have a credit score of at least 300. A “no credit score” means there is insufficient information for a credit score calculator to compute a score.

What would my credit score be if I have no credit?

With no credit history, there is nothing that can be used to calculate a credit score. Your credit reports record your history of borrowing money and repaying debts, and a credit score is calculated using data recorded in one of your credit reports.

Do I have a credit score if I've never taken out a loan?

It may seem odd, but never taking out credit can also give you a poor rating. Lenders like to see that you've managed credit successfully in the past. If they don't have enough information to assess you, they may be less likely to approve your application.

What hurts your credit score?

Late or missed payments hurt your score. Amounts Owed or Credit Utilization reveals how deeply in debt you are and contributes to determining if you can handle what you owe. If you have high outstanding balances or are nearly "maxed out" on your credit cards, your credit score will be negatively affected.

What is the credit score for someone with zero debt?

“People with no debt don't have to worry too much about their credit score,” said Rob Schultz, a certified financial planner in Encino, Calif. “But other institutions may use their credit score, so it can still be important.”

Is a 900 credit score possible?

What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.

Why is my credit score bad when I pay everything on time?

If you repay a balance in full, it can impact your credit score, as your credit utilisation ratio will change, and the mix of credit accounts you use and manage on a regular basis may change too. Any negative impact of this is likely to be short-lived though.

How long does it take to build credit from 500 to 700?

The time it takes to raise your credit score from 500 to 700 can vary widely depending on your individual financial situation. On average, it may take anywhere from 12 to 24 months of responsible credit management, including timely payments and reducing debt, to see a significant improvement in your credit score.

How much is a beginner credit score?

Your credit score doesn't start at zero, and the lowest score you can have is 300. But most people's credit scores start out around 500 or higher, and the average score for all adults is 715.

What credit score do you need for an Amazon credit card?

To get approved for this card, you'll need to have a good credit score of at least 670, though having a higher one certainly won't hurt your chances.

How to get credit when you have none?

7 Ways to Build Credit if You Have No Credit History
  1. Become an authorized user.
  2. Try a credit-building debit card.
  3. Apply for a secured credit card.
  4. Apply for a credit-builder loan.
  5. Apply for a store credit card.
  6. Have rental payments reported.
  7. Establish credit with Experian Go™

How to ask for late payment forgiveness?

If you missed a payment because of extenuating circumstances and you've brought account current, you could try to contact the creditor or send a goodwill letter and ask them to remove the late payment.