CreditSeptember 22, 2026 · 1 min read
Building credit when you're starting from zero
No credit history can be as hard as bad credit. These are the safe first steps, and the habits that matter most for your score.
Landlords, lenders and sometimes employers look at your credit history to judge whether you'll pay what you owe. With no history, there's nothing to judge, which can mean higher deposits or higher interest. The good news: a strong score comes from a few simple habits.
What your score is made of
- Payment history, about 35%: paying on time, every time.
- Amounts owed, about 30%: using a small share of your credit limits.
- Length of history, about 15%: older accounts help.
- New credit and credit mix, about 10% each.
Safe ways to start
- Become an authorized user on a parent's card that's always paid on time.
- Open a secured card: you put down a deposit, and that deposit is your limit.
- Use the card for one small regular bill, and pay it off in full every month.
Check your reports
You can see your credit reports free at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for accounts you don't recognise and dispute any mistakes with the credit bureau. Paying in full each month means you never pay card interest and still build history.