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Credit Score, in plain language
What credit cards do to your score — for better or worse.
What to know
- Payment history is the biggest scoring factor
- Utilization compares balances to limits
- Hard inquiries can dip your score briefly
- Long-held accounts lengthen your history
Watch out: Closing an old card can shorten your history and raise utilization — sometimes lowering your score.
Key terms
UtilizationBalances divided by total credit limits.
Hard inquiryA lender's credit check when you apply.
History lengthHow long your accounts have been open.
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