If your credit score has taken a hit, you’re probably wondering how long it’ll take to fix it. The truth is: rebuilding bad credit takes time, but it’s absolutely possible. Depending on how bad your credit is and what’s hurting it, it could take anywhere from 3 months to several years to see major improvements. But don’t worry, there are proven ways to speed things up.
How Long It Really Takes to Rebuild Credit
There’s no one-size-fits-all timeline. Credit repair depends on the type of negative information, how recent it is, and your credit behavior going forward. Here’s a general timeline:
| Type of Negative Item | Time to Recover |
|---|---|
| Late Payment (30–60 days) | 3–6 months |
| Credit Card Maxed Out | 1–3 months after payoff |
| Collection Account | 6–24 months |
| Bankruptcy (Chapter 7) | 3–7 years for partial recovery |
| Foreclosure | 3–7 years |
| Hard Inquiries | 12 months |
Remember, most negative marks stay on your report for 7 years, but the impact lessens over time if you keep good credit habits.
7 Ways to Rebuild Bad Credit Faster
1. Pay All Bills on Time
Your payment history makes up 35% of your credit score. Late or missed payments hurt the most. Even if it’s the minimum payment, pay on time—every time.
Pro Tip: Set up autopay or use payment reminders on your phone. If you’ve missed payments in the past, get current and stay current.
👉 Learn how payment history affects your FICO score
2. Lower Your Credit Card Balances
High credit card usage (also called credit utilization) drags your score down. Experts recommend keeping usage under 30%, but under 10% is even better.
Example: If your limit is $1,000, try to keep the balance under $100.
Quick Fix: Pay down balances weekly instead of monthly. You’ll reduce reported usage and improve your score faster.
3. Avoid Applying for Too Much Credit at Once
Every credit application causes a hard inquiry, which can lower your score by a few points and stay on your report for 12 months.
What to do instead: Focus on maintaining existing accounts. Only apply for new credit when it’s absolutely necessary.
4. Dispute Inaccuracies on Your Credit Report
Errors like wrong late payments, duplicate accounts, or unauthorized hard inquiries can ruin your score.
You can check your report for free once a year at:
AnnualCreditReport.com
If you find mistakes, file disputes with:
- Experian (dispute page)
- Equifax (dispute page)
- TransUnion (dispute page)
5. Use a Secured Credit Card
If you can’t get approved for a regular credit card, apply for a secured credit card. You deposit a small amount (like $200), and that becomes your limit.
Use it wisely:
- Make small purchases
- Pay the balance in full monthly
- Never max it out
After 6–12 months of responsible use, you can upgrade to an unsecured card.
Checkout NerdWallet’s best secured credit cards
6. Become an Authorized User
Ask a family member or close friend with a good credit card history to add you as an authorized user. Their good history can help improve your score, even if you don’t use the card.
Make sure:
- Their card has a low balance
- They pay on time
- The card issuer reports authorized users to credit bureaus
7. Keep Old Accounts Open
The length of your credit history matters. Don’t close old credit cards, even if you don’t use them often.
Instead:
- Use them for small recurring charges (like Netflix)
- Set up auto-pay to keep them active
This helps your average age of accounts, which makes up 15% of your credit score.
What Hurts Credit the Most?
Here’s a quick list of credit killers to avoid:
- Late or missed payments
- Defaulting on loans
- Maxing out credit cards
- Collections and charge-offs
- Too many new applications
- Closing old credit accounts
Every negative action has a ripple effect, so rebuilding means avoiding new mistakes while cleaning up past ones.
Credit Score Improvement Timeline Example
Let’s say your score is 580 (considered “poor”). If you take the right steps:
- Month 1–3: Pay down credit cards, avoid new inquiries
- Month 4–6: Use secured card, all payments on time
- Month 6–12: Dispute errors, ask for limit increases
- Month 12–18: Add mix of credit (installment + revolving)
By the end of year one, you can move from “poor” (below 580) to “fair” (580–669). With consistent effort, a “good” score (670+) is possible in 18–24 months.
Why Rebuilding Credit Is Worth It
A higher credit score means:
- Lower interest rates on loans
- Higher chances of mortgage approval
- Better car insurance rates
- Increased credit limits
- More negotiating power
If you’re planning to buy a home, finance a car, or even get a job (some employers check credit!), credit repair should be a top priority.
Summary: How to Rebuild Bad Credit (Fast)
| Action | Impact |
|---|---|
| Pay bills on time | Huge |
| Lower card balances | Big |
| Check and dispute report errors | Medium–High |
| Use secured card responsibly | Medium |
| Avoid hard inquiries | Low–Medium |
| Keep old accounts open | Medium |
| Become an authorized user | Medium |
In conclusion, Rebuilding credit isn’t about tricks—it’s about smart habits over time. Most people start seeing results in 3–6 months if they consistently do the right things. The key is not giving up, even when progress feels slow.
Need a simple place to start? Get your free report at AnnualCreditReport.com, create a budget, and set up auto-pay today.