Length of Credit History: Why It Matters and How to Improve It

You’ve paid on time. You keep your balances low. So why isn’t your credit score higher? If you’ve ever asked yourself that, you’re not alone. One of the most overlooked (and misunderstood) parts of your credit score is something you can’t fix overnight: your length of credit history.

This part of your score doesn’t get as much attention as payment history or credit utilization, but it’s still a major player. And here’s the twist: it’s not just about how long you’ve had credit. It’s about how long you’ve had your oldest accounts, how long your newest accounts have been open, and the average age across all your accounts.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how length of credit history works, why it can quietly drag your score down (even if you’re doing everything else right), and smart strategies you can use to strengthen this factor over time.

Let’s break it down, step-by-step.

Step 1: Understand How Credit History Length Impacts Your Score

Length of credit history makes up 15% of your credit score—according to the FICO scoring model.

It includes:

  • How long your oldest account has been open
  • The age of your newest account
  • The average age of all your accounts

A longer credit history shows lenders you have experience managing credit responsibly over time. So, if you’re newer to credit or recently opened several accounts, this portion of your score may be on the lower side—even if your behavior is perfect.

Step 2: Check the Age of Your Accounts

Start by pulling your full credit report using a platform like SmartCredit.com.

Take note of:

  • Your oldest account (this sets your foundation)
  • The average age of all your accounts
  • Any recently opened credit lines

This gives you a baseline and helps you see if your score dip could be tied to a shortened history.

Step 3: Don’t Close Old Accounts

One of the biggest mistakes people make? Closing old accounts—especially credit cards they no longer use. Doing so can shorten your average account age and lower your score.

If the account is in good standing and doesn’t have an annual fee, keep it open—even if you only use it occasionally to keep it active.

Step 4: Be Strategic with New Credit

Every time you open a new credit account, it brings down your average age. That’s not a reason to avoid credit altogether, but you want to space out new accounts strategically.

Only apply for credit when necessary, and avoid opening multiple new accounts in a short period of time if you’re trying to grow your score.

Step 5: Play the Long Game

Unlike paying off a debt or disputing a collection, you can’t fast-track time. The best strategy? Start building early, maintain your oldest accounts, and be patient.

Over time, your score will reflect the maturity and consistency of your credit behavior.

Wrap-Up

Length of credit history may not be the flashiest credit factor, but it plays a critical role in the story your credit tells. By keeping your oldest accounts alive, being intentional with new credit, and monitoring your progress with tools like SmartCredit, you’ll build a stronger credit profile year after year.

Remember, time is on your side—especially when you use it wisely.