How to Raise Your Credit Score up to 200 Points

A 200-point credit score boost can open major financial doors. You could qualify for lower interest rates, better credit card offers, or even get approved for a mortgage that was out of reach before. Whether you’re starting from a low score or just trying to level up, the right steps can make a big difference.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to raise your credit score by up to 200 points—with clear, proven strategies that actually work. No fluff, no gimmicks—just what you need to know to start making progress today.

What Affects Your Credit Score?

Your credit score is based on five main factors, each pulled from your credit report. Here’s a quick breakdown:

• Payment history (35%) – Paying your bills on time has the biggest impact on your score.
• Credit utilization (30%) – This is how much of your available credit you’re using; lower is better.
• Length of credit history (15%) – Older accounts help your score by showing long-term credit use.
• New credit inquiries (10%) – Too many applications for credit in a short time can drag your score down.
• Credit mix (10%) – A mix of credit cards, loans, and other accounts shows lenders you can handle different types of debt.

Knowing how these factors work can help you focus on the changes that will move your score the most.

10 Steps to Raise Your Credit Score by 200 Points

If you’re trying to improve your credit score by a big margin, you need to take action in the areas that move the needle most. These 10 steps are straightforward, proven, and can add up to a serious increase—especially if your credit is starting off in poor shape.

1. Check for Errors and Fix Them

Get a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Look for mistakes—like accounts you don’t recognize or payments marked late when they weren’t. Disputing errors is one of the fastest ways to gain points.

2. Pay Every Bill on Time

Late payments can tank your score fast. Use autopay, calendar reminders, or budgeting apps to make sure every payment goes out on time—especially credit cards, loans, and utilities.

3. Lower Your Credit Card Balances

High credit utilization drags your score down. Try to keep each card below 30% of its limit. If that’s not realistic, pay down balances aggressively using strategies like the snowball method or consider a balance transfer.

4. Ask for Higher Credit Limits

Call your credit card company and request a higher limit—just make sure they won’t do a hard inquiry. If your limit goes up but your spending stays the same, your utilization drops and your score improves.

5. Avoid Applying for New Credit

Every new application triggers a hard inquiry, which can temporarily lower your score. Rate shopping (like comparing loan offers within a short window) is okay, but opening multiple new accounts at once is not.

6. Use a Secured Card or Credit Builder Loan

If your credit history is thin or damaged, a credit builder loan or secured credit card can help you build it back. You make payments, they get reported to the credit bureaus, and your score grows over time.

7. Keep Old Accounts Open

Older accounts help your credit score. Even if you don’t use a card much, keeping it open (with no balance) strengthens your credit age and utilization.

8. Add to Your Credit Mix (If It Makes Sense)

Lenders like to see a mix of credit types. If all you have is one credit card, consider a small installment loan—like a credit builder loan—to round out your profile. Don’t take on debt you don’t need, though.

9. Ask for Goodwill Adjustments

If you’ve missed a payment in the past but have a solid history otherwise, reach out to the creditor and ask them to remove the negative mark. It doesn’t always work, but when it does, it can give your score a quick lift.

10. Consider Professional Help (Cautiously)

If you’re overwhelmed or stuck, a legitimate credit repair company might be able to help clean up errors or negotiate on your behalf. Just avoid any service that guarantees results or asks for big upfront fees.

Best Tools to Build Credit Fast

If your credit history is limited or damaged, the right tools can help you build it back—without waiting years. Here are four options worth considering:

• Secured Credit Cards: These cards require a refundable deposit, which becomes your credit limit. They work just like regular credit cards and report your activity to the credit bureaus. When used responsibly, they’re one of the fastest ways to establish or rebuild credit. Check out our picks for the best secured credit cards to get started.
• Credit Builder Loans: These loans let you build credit and savings at the same time. You make monthly payments into a locked account, and once the term ends, you get the money back—minus any fees. Explore our list of the best credit builder loans to find a lender that fits your needs.
• Authorized User Status: Being added to someone else’s credit card account can help you benefit from their positive payment history. Just make sure the issuer reports authorized users to the credit bureaus.
• Rent Reporting Services: Some services will report your rent payments to the credit bureaus, giving you credit for payments you’re already making. It’s not a huge boost, but it can help round out a thin credit file.

Avoid These Credit Mistakes

These common missteps can slow your progress—or even send your score backward.

• Maxing out your credit cards: High balances hurt your utilization rate, even if you pay on time.
• Only making minimum payments: It keeps your account in good standing, but interest piles up fast.
• Applying for too much new credit: Too many hard inquiries can signal risk to lenders.
• Closing old accounts: You lose credit history and lower your total available credit.
• Ignoring your credit reports: Errors and fraud go unnoticed unless you check regularly.

How long will it take to raise your credit score?

Raising your credit score isn’t instant—but with the right steps, you can see progress sooner than you think.

Some people see changes in as little as 30 to 60 days, especially after correcting errors or paying down large balances. Bigger gains, like a 200-point increase, usually take 6 to 12 months. It depends on where you’re starting and how consistently you follow through.

Final Thoughts

Improving your credit score takes patience, but the results are worth it. Whether you’re working toward a 700 or chasing an 800, what matters most is building good habits and sticking with them.

Every on-time payment, every balance paid down, and every smart decision adds up. Keep going—and your credit will catch up.