Credit Score Simulator
Model a 300 to 850 credit score from utilization, payment history, credit age, account mix and inquiries, then try what-if changes. Not a FICO score. How it works
Use the Credit Score Simulator
About the Credit Score Simulator
With the starting inputs (25% utilization, 5 years of credit history, 95% of payments on time, 3 account types and 1 hard inquiry) the model gives 792, in the Very Good band. Each input is placed in a band worth 20 to 100 points, the bands are weighted 35% payment history, 30% utilization, 15% credit age, 10% credit mix and 10% new credit, and the weighted total is stretched onto a 300 to 850 scale. It is a teaching model of a credit score, not a FICO or VantageScore calculation.
Points the model gives each input
| Input (weight) | Bands and points |
|---|---|
| Payment history, % on time (35%) | 95+: 100 · 90+: 85 · 80+: 70 · 70+: 55 · 60+: 40 · under 60: 25 |
| Credit utilization % (30%) | ≤10: 100 · ≤30: 85 · ≤50: 70 · ≤75: 55 · ≤90: 40 · over 90: 25 |
| Credit history age, years (15%) | 10+: 100 · 7+: 85 · 5+: 70 · 3+: 55 · 1+: 40 · under 1: 25 |
| Credit mix, account types (10%) | 4+: 100 · 3: 85 · 2: 65 · 0 or 1: 40 |
| Hard inquiries (10%) | 0 or 1: 100 · 2: 75 · 3: 55 · 4 or 5: 35 · 6+: 20 |
Score = 300 + (weighted points ÷ 100) × 550, rounded. The weights are the five category shares myFICO publishes; the band edges are this tool’s own.
Changing one input from the starting values
| Change | Model score | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| None (starting values) | 792 | 0 |
| Utilization 25% → 5% | 817 | +25 |
| Utilization 25% → 50% | 768 | −24 |
| Utilization 25% → 100% | 693 | −99 |
| Credit age 5 → 10 years | 817 | +25 |
| Credit age 5 → 1 year | 768 | −24 |
| On-time payments 95% → 90% | 763 | −29 |
| On-time payments 95% → 70% | 706 | −86 |
| Account types 3 → 4 | 801 | +9 |
| Hard inquiries 1 → 3 | 768 | −24 |
Starting values: 25% utilization, 5 years, 95% on time, 3 account types, 1 inquiry.
What-if presets from the starting values
| Preset | Assumption the tool makes | Inputs after the change | Model score | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Late payment | On-time payments fall by 5 percentage points | 90% on time | 763 | −29 |
| New card | +1 hard inquiry; average age × 6/7 | 2 inquiries, 4.3 years | 766 | −26 |
| Close oldest card | Average age × 0.75; utilization × 1.25 | 3.8 years, 31.3% utilization | 755 | −37 |
| Limit increase | Utilization × 0.8 (25% more limit, same balances) | 20% utilization | 792 | 0 |
| Balance transfer | +1 hard inquiry; average age × 6/7; utilization × 0.8 | 2 inquiries, 4.3 years, 20% utilization | 766 | −26 |
The assumptions are this tool’s own rounded modelling choices, shown on the page with each preset; they are not bureau rules or measured effects. A limit increase shows no change here only because 20% and 25% utilization fall in the same band of the model.
How to use this tool
- Enter your credit utilization (card balances ÷ credit limits × 100), the average age of your accounts in years, the share of payments made on time, the number of account types (cards, car loan, mortgage, student loan) and your hard inquiries from the last 12 months.
- Read the model score and its band: Exceptional from 800, Very Good from 740, Good from 670, Fair from 580 and Poor below 580.
- In the What-If Simulator, press a preset (Late payment, New card, Close oldest card, Limit increase or Balance transfer) or type a new utilization or credit age. The panel shows the assumption, the inputs it changed and the change in points; a typed value overrides the preset for that input.
- To keep a set of inputs, type a name and press Save Scenario. Saved scenarios stay in this browser until you press Clear Saved Values; press a name to load it again.
Frequently asked questions
- Will this match my FICO score?
- No. FICO and VantageScore use proprietary models built on the full contents of your credit report, and lenders often see a different score version than the one you check. Use this page to see which input the model rewards most, then get your real score from your card issuer, bank or a credit bureau.
- How much does credit utilization affect a credit score?
- In this model utilization carries 30% of the weight. Going from 25% to 5% adds 25 points, from 25% to 50% loses 24, and maxing the cards out (100%) loses 99. Anything at 10% or less earns full points, so paying below 10% gives no further gain here.
- Do hard inquiries from two years ago count?
- myFICO says FICO Scores only consider inquiries from the last 12 months, though inquiries stay on your credit report for two years. Enter only the hard inquiries from the past year. In the model, 0 or 1 inquiry earns full points; from the starting values a second costs 13 points and a third 11 more.
- How much does a late payment or a new card lower the score?
- In this model, from the starting values, the Late payment preset gives 763 (−29), New card 766 (−26) and Close oldest card 755 (−37). Each preset applies a stated assumption, such as one late payment lowering the on-time share by 5 percentage points, which is the tool’s own simplification. Real scoring models are proprietary, and a late payment’s effect there depends on how late, how recent and the rest of the report.
- What is the lowest score this simulator can show?
- 443. Even the worst inputs (100% utilization, no history, no on-time payments, 6 or more inquiries) still earn the bottom band of every factor, so the part of the bar from 300 to 442 is never reached. The top is 850.
- Where can I get my actual credit report for free?
- In the US, the FTC says AnnualCreditReport.com is the only website authorized to fill orders for the free reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. A report lists your accounts, payments and inquiries; the score is a separate number worked out from it.
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