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Almost everyone in the U.S. (and many other countries) has a credit score, which is a three-digit number that some lenders use to evaluate whether or not to extend credit to you. In some cases, a lender will use your exact credit score as a determining factor. In other cases, they’ll group similar credit scores into a credit score range.

Different companies use different credit score ranges, but in most cases, your credit score will be grouped into one of five different categories: excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor. The better your credit score, the more likely you are to get approved for new loans and the lower your interest rate is likely to be if you are approved.

What Is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a three-digit number that attempts to encapsulate your total credit history, meaning your track record of repaying debt. There are a few different companies and models that are used, but credit scores typically range from 300 on the low end to 850 on the high end. Many lenders will use your credit score to determine whether or not they want to issue you new credit.

What Are Credit Score Ranges?

Credit score ranges (sometimes referred to as a credit rating scale) are a way to group together similar credit scores. Each company that makes credit scores has its own way of grouping credit scores, but they tend to follow a similar pattern. There are usually five different credit score ranges — excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor.

Here is an example from one of the most popular rating systems, the FICO® Score:

•   300-580: Poor

•   580-669: Fair

•   670-739: Good

•   740-799: Very good

•   800-850: Exceptional or Excellent

As of late 2024, the average credit score in the U.S. was 717, which is solidly in the good range.

Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?

How Credit Scores Are Calculated

There are a few different companies that calculate and monitor credit scores, and each one does it in a slightly different way. Typically, the various credit bureaus like Experian®, Equifax®, and TransUnion® collate all sorts of information about each individual, from their payment history to their credit usage to the age of their credit accounts. They lease this information to companies like the Fair Isaac Company (FICO®), which then uses that information to calculate a FICO® score.

Recommended: When Are Credit Card Payments Due?

How to Check Your Credit Score

There are a few ways you can check your credit score. You can purchase it from a provider, or your credit card company or other financial institution may provide your credit score for free. Or, you may use a free credit scoring website or other service to get your score.

Your credit score updates regularly as the underlying information that the credit bureaus report changes. Every time you open a new credit card, make a payment to one of your debts, apply for credit, or do anything else credit-related, your credit score may update.

What Is a Good Credit Score?

The various companies that calculate credit scores have different models and different ranges for what credit score is considered “good.” Typically, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good, with credit scores of 740 to 799 being very good, and scores over 800 being considered excellent.

Factors That Impact Your Credit Score

Each company that calculates credit scores uses their own proprietary formula to calculate credit scores. Five of the common criteria used to calculate credit scores are:

•   Payment history, meaning do you have a history of paying on time.

•   Credit usage, which is typically expressed as your credit utilization ratio, meaning how much debt (or a balance) you have vs. your credit limit.

•   Length of credit history, or how long you have been accessing credit.

•   Credit mix, which considers whether you have shown yourself to be capable of managing, say, both installment loans and lines of credit.

•   Recent credit inquiries, since too many hard credit inquiries in a short period of time can negatively affect your credit score.

Credit Models Applied by Different Companies

You may wonder why you have different credit scores, and the answer is that there are different credit models applied by different companies. Depending on what company is doing the calculation, they may calculate your score slightly differently.

Generally speaking, each company that calculates credit scores looks at mostly the same types of information, so your different credit scores should be similar. It would be rare (if not impossible) to have a bad credit score from one credit model and excellent credit in another.

Lenders Credit Score Grouping

Some lenders may use your exact credit score to determine whether to extend credit, whereas others may group scores into a range. For instance, a particular lender might give one interest rate to people with excellent credit and a higher rate to those with very good or good credit. Meanwhile, they may choose not to extend credit at all to those with a fair credit score or lower.

Credit Score in Relation to Your Age

There is not a strict correlation between your age and your credit score. You might think that there is a specific starting credit score, but the truth is that when you are just starting out, you don’t have any credit score at all. As you get older, however, you have more chances to show that you are responsible (or not responsible) with your credit, and your credit score is adjusted accordingly.

Consequences of Having a Low Credit Score

Having a low credit score can have quite a negative impact on your financial life. If your credit score is too low and you don’t meet the minimum credit score for a credit card, you may not be able to get approved for loans or a credit card. And if you are approved, you may have to pay significantly higher interest rates than someone with better credit.

Tips for Building Your Credit

There is no one magic way to build your credit — instead, your credit will build as you show that you’re responsible with the loans that you already have. For example, as you use your credit card responsibly by paying your monthly statement on time, your credit score may be positively impacted vs. paying late or missing payments, which can lower your score.

Other ways that you can work toward building your credit include avoiding using too much of your available credit and keeping old accounts open to maintain the age of your accounts.

Recommended: Understanding Purchase Interest Charges on Credit Cards

Monitor Your Credit Score

Another thing you can do to try and secure a solid financial future is to regularly monitor your credit report and credit score. Keeping an eye on the information in your credit report can help you know if there’s any inaccurate or incorrect information in it. If there is, correcting it can be one way to build your credit score.

Additionally, keeping an eye on your credit score can clue you into what effect different behaviors have on your credit score. This can help you make more informed credit-related decisions in the future.

The Takeaway

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

What is the average credit score?

As of late 2024, the average credit score in the U.S. was 717, which sits squarely in the good range.

What benefits does a good credit score provide?

Having a good credit score can have a variety of positive financial impacts. You may need a minimum credit score to get a credit card that you want to apply for, or you may qualify for a lower interest rate on some loans as compared to someone with a lower credit score.

Can my credit score affect my loan eligibility?

Yes, your credit score can absolutely affect your eligibility for certain loans. If you have a bad credit score, you may not get approved for a loan from some lenders. Or, if you are approved, you may have to pay a higher interest rate than someone with a better credit score.

Can a very poor credit rating prevent me from getting a cell phone contract?

Yes, it is possible that having a low credit score might prevent you from getting a cell phone contract. Some cell phone providers look at your credit score when you’re applying for a cell phone contract. If you have a low credit score, you may not be able to qualify for some contracts, or you may have to put down a security deposit beforehand.

Will low credit impede my chances of getting a rented apartment?

There are some landlords or property managers who look at your credit score when deciding whether or not you qualify for an apartment. If that’s the case for an apartment you’re looking at, then having a low credit score may have a negative impact on your chances of qualifying.

Photo credit: iStock/anyaberkut

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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As long as you make your payments on time, having a mortgage can build your credit score. You may see a slight negative impact to your credit when you first apply for a mortgage, since the lender will likely do a hard pull on your credit report. But after that, your mortgage will generally have a positive impact on your credit score, assuming you’re consistently making on-time payments.

Does Having a Mortgage Build Your Credit Score?

One of the mortgage basics is that in exchange for an upfront payment (generally a down payment used to purchase a home), you’ll make regular monthly payments to your lender for a specified period of time (often 30 years). Having a mortgage on your credit report can help your credit score in two ways. First of all, making your mortgage payments on time each month helps show a positive payment history. Another way that having a mortgage can help your credit is by diversifying your credit mix, which is another factor that makes up your credit score.

How Mortgage Application Impacts Credit Score

The process of applying for a mortgage can impact your credit score in a variety of ways. Here’s a closer look.

Situations Where It May Hurt Your Credit

When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will usually do a hard pull on your credit report to assess your overall creditworthiness. This process can lower your score by up to several points for a few months. This might impact which credit range you are in.

Recommended: What Is the Average Credit Card Limit?

Situations Where It May Help Your Credit

It can be smart when applying for a mortgage to work with different lenders to find the right home loan for your situation. One piece of good news is that multiple mortgage-related inquiries in a short period of time usually will only count as one inquiry. So if you’re working on establishing credit, you won’t need to worry about multiple inquiries from different mortgage lenders having a significant negative impact, as long as they’re all within the same window of time.

Recommended: Understanding Purchase Interest Charges on Credit Cards

How a Mortgage Can Affect Your Credit

Beyond applying, there are a number of ways that having a mortgage can affect your credit. When you get a mortgage it can help your credit score, but it can also hurt it.

Hard Inquiry When You Apply

One of the factors that makes up your credit score is the number of recent hard inquiries you have. Any time a potential lender conducts a hard pull of your credit report, it can cause a temporary drop in your credit score by a few points. This drop usually goes away after a few months, but it’s something to be aware of.

Paying Your Mortgage On Time

One important factor that affects your credit score is your payment history. So if you have a mortgage and pay it on time each month, that can make a positive contribution to your credit score. This is one reason it’s important to make sure that you don’t take out a mortgage that you’ll have trouble paying each month.

Late Or Missed Mortgage Payments

Because your payment history is such a big part of what makes up your credit score, late or missed mortgage payments can have a large negative impact on your score. Potential lenders look at your credit report to get an idea of how likely you are to repay your debt obligations, so having late or missed payments can be a red flag to future lenders.

Improving Your Credit Mix

A lesser-known but still important part of what makes up for your credit score is your overall credit mix. Generally, it’s considered a positive sign if you have a variety of different types of credit on your credit report. This includes different types of credit cards, auto loans, mortgages, personal loans, etc. Adding a mortgage to a credit report that doesn’t have one helps diversify your credit mix.

Changing Your Average Age of Accounts

Another factor that contributes to your credit score is your overall average age of accounts. Potential lenders like to see a lengthy history of you responsibly using the credit that’s been issued to you. So while initially a new mortgage will lower your overall average age of accounts, over time it can work in your favor.

Recommended: Tips to Qualify for a Mortgage

Tips for Building Your Credit Score After Buying a House

After you’ve bought your house, here are a few tips to continue building your credit:

•   Pay your mortgage in full and on time, each and every month.

•   Continue to pay your other debts (like credit cards and student loans) on time each month as well.

•   Keep an emergency fund to ensure you can still meet your debt obligations (including your mortgage) even when the unexpected happens.

•   Make sure you save enough money to pay your home insurance and property taxes (if your mortgage isn’t escrowed).

•   Regularly review your credit report for unexpected or inaccurate information. Report any issues as needed to help protect your credit.

•   Decrease your credit utilization ratio by raising credit limits and limiting debt.

•   Limit your new credit inquiries as much as possible.

Recommended: Tips for Using a Credit Card Responsibly

The Takeaway

Having a mortgage can affect your credit score in a variety of ways, but most of them are positive. While you will likely see a small temporary drop in your credit score due to the hard pull from your mortgage lender, that should go away after a few months. Then, as long as you pay your mortgage on time each month, you should see a positive impact on your credit score from having a mortgage. Another great way to build your credit can be by responsibly using a credit card.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

How long does it take for your credit score to go up after buying a house?

When you get a mortgage (or any type of loan), the potential lender will likely do a hard pull of your credit report. Because the number of recent inquiries you have is a factor that makes up your credit score, this hard pull may temporarily drop your credit score. The good news is that it usually only drops by a couple of points, and even that small effect usually goes away after a couple of months.

How long should I wait after closing to make another big purchase?

You want to be careful about making large purchases or applying for any other credit before you are approved for a loan. This is because your lender and underwriter will be digging into your credit report in detail to make sure your overall financial situation is sound, and they’ll want to know about anything out of the ordinary. After you close on your mortgage, you don’t need to be as careful about making another big purchase, as long as it fits into your overall financial picture.

What credit score is needed to get a mortgage?

Typically, you will need a credit score of at least 620 to get a conventional mortgage, and a score of over 700 for a jumbo loan. At the lower end of the range of credit scores needed for a mortgage, you might find some government-backed loans available with a credit score of 500 and above.

Photo credit: iStock/sturti

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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Monthly subscriptions to digital services can help build credit in some situations. Having a subscription in and of itself doesn’t impact your credit score. However, you could build credit if your payments for these subscriptions are reported to the credit bureaus. This typically happens if you use certain payment methods like a credit card.

If you’re hoping to build credit with subscriptions, there are certain steps that you can take to help ensure that happens. Read on to learn more.

What Are Monthly Digital Service Subscriptions?

Monthly digital service subscriptions involve paying each month to access a service, such as online streaming for TV shows, movies, and music. They can also include subscriptions to software, including for photo editing, audiobooks, online classes, and ebooks.

Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?

How Monthly Subscription Services Can Help Build Your Credit

Subscription services can help you build your credit if your payment activity is reported to the credit bureaus. You can ensure this happens by using your credit card to pay your bills or signing up for a service that reports your payment activity to the credit bureaus.

When your payment activity is reported to the three major credit bureaus — Experian®, Equifax®, and TransUnion® — your monthly payments for subscription services will appear on your credit report. This can lead to either a positive or negative effect on your credit. If you miss a payment, your score could be negatively impacted, whereas on-time payments could have a positive effect.

As such, here’s a trick for ensuring that on-time payment consistently happens: setting up automatic payments.

Strategically Using Automatic Payments

Setting up automated bill payments is how you’ll most likely pay for subscription services. To make strides toward building credit, however, there are some ways you can set up your automatic payments more effectively:

•   Automatically pay with your credit card: When signing up for a subscription service, you’ll be asked for a method of payment. The simplest option is to pay using your credit card, and authorize recurring charges. Of course, you can do so using your debit card (depending on the company) or by providing your banking details. But unless you sign up for a credit reporting service, your payment history most likely won’t be reported to the credit bureaus without selecting your credit card as the payment method

•   Automatically pay your credit card from your bank account: To ensure you’re paying your credit card bill on time, consider setting up automatic payments from your bank account. That way, you’ll decrease the likelihood of missing a payment deadline. If the charge is paid on time, you’ll also get the benefit of avoiding interest charges, which is one way to save on streaming services.

If you follow these tips, it’s smart to periodically check the subscription rates to ensure your automatic payment amount matches up with what you’re currently being charged. Also check your bank account to make sure you have enough funds for the payment to go through on time.

Recommended: What Is a Charge Card?

Other Ways to Build Credit

There are other methods to establish credit other than through subscription services. Here are some additional or alternative methods to consider:

•   Secured credit cards: A secured credit card is generally more accessible to those who have no or limited credit history. You’ll need to make a refundable deposit that acts as your credit line — so if you put $500 down, you’d get a $500 credit line. Otherwise, you can use a secured credit card as you would a traditional credit card by making purchases and paying down the balance each month. Depending on the credit card issuer, you may be able to be eligible to upgrade to an unsecured credit card or request one after making consistent on-time payments for a set number of months.

•   Credit builder loans: These types of loans are designed to help consumers build credit. Once you’re approved for a loan, you’ll start to pay it back in installments. But instead of receiving the loan proceeds right away, the funds will be housed in a savings account until you pay back the loan in full.

•   Personal loans: If you need funding right away, such as for a home improvement project, you can consider taking out a more traditional loan, as there are lenders who are willing to work with those who have a limited credit history. Keep in mind that interest rates could be higher compared to someone with more established credit, so make sure you can afford the loan and make on-time payments before taking one out. Doing so can help build your credit.

•   Secured loans: Like secured credit cards, secured loans require you to put down some sort of collateral. These can include physical assets, such as a car (like auto loans) or cash (some banks offer loans that you secure with your savings account). Interest rates may be more favorable than unsecured loans.

•   Paying rent: Your landlord — especially if it’s a larger property management company — may report your payment activity to the credit bureaus, even if you don’t use your credit card to pay. Otherwise, there are reporting services (much like the ones mentioned above) that will report your payments to the credit bureaus to help you build your credit.

Recommended: Breaking Down the Different Types of Credit Cards

The Takeaway

Your monthly subscription services could serve as a path toward building credit, as long as your payment activity gets reported to the credit bureaus. You can ensure this happens by either paying your subscription with a credit card or signing up for a service that reports your payments to the credit bureaus. In either case, you’ll need to make sure you’re handling your subscription service payments responsibly in order to help establish your credit.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

Is it good to put subscriptions on your credit card?

You can put charges for subscriptions on your credit card if you’re looking to build credit. Just make sure you’re exhibiting positive credit behavior by consistently making on-time payments.

What credit card is best for subscriptions?

There is no one credit card that is best for subscriptions. Whether it’s a secured or unsecured credit card, what matters is whether you make consistent, on-time payments. The credit card you choose will also depend on what you find important. For example, if you’re interested in earning travel rewards, then consider picking a credit that allows you to do so.

Does paying multiple times a month increase your credit score?

Making multiple monthly payments toward your credit card bill will reduce the amount of credit you’re using. In other words, you’ll lower your credit utilization — a comparison between your total credit limit and how much credit you’re using — which could positively impact your credit.

Photo credit: iStock/simpson33

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

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If you’re attempting to build credit from scratch, a gas credit card can help. That’s because, similar to other types of credit cards, gas credit cards report your payments to the three major credit reporting bureaus. Further, gas cards are good for building credit because they tend to be easier to get approved for than other types of cards.

On top of that, a gas credit card can allow you to save on gas by earning discounts and fuel credits when you fill up your tank and use your card to pay for transactions. Here’s all you need to know about gas credit cards, including how to get a gas card to build credit.

Understanding Gas Credit Cards and How They Work

A gas credit card works similarly as other types of credit cards in that it offers access to a revolving line of credit. In other words, you have a credit limit that’s set ahead of time. You can borrow up to that limit, and then repay the debt over time through monthly payments. If you carry a balance from month to month, you’ll pay interest.

There are two main types of gas credit cards:

•   Gas station cobranded credit cards: Also known as a single-purpose or closed-loop card, a gas station cobranded credit card is a card that you can only use to make purchases from a single company. In this case, you could only use the card when you pump gas from a particular gas or oil company, which the card will usually bear the logo of.

•   General-purpose gas credit cards: A traditional gas credit card can be used when you fill up at any gas station, rather than only with one particular brand — marking the difference between gas cards vs. gas station credit cards.

As mentioned, gas credit cards can be a good way to build credit from scratch. Keep in mind that the best rates, terms, and rewards offerings generally are reserved for consumers with strong credit. That being said, some gas cards are easier to get approved for, especially those from a particular oil company or brand.

Another benefit of gas credit cards is that they can offer discounts per gallon or an introductory promotional period where you can receive additional discounts at the pump. For instance, a cobranded gas credit card might offer 30 cents back on each gallon for the first two months after you open an account, and then 10 cents back per gallon after that.

Some general-purpose gas credit cards might also feature rewards, like cash back on everyday purchases up to a certain amount per year.

Tips for Building Credit with a Gas Credit Card

A gas card can build credit because they report your activity and payment history to the three major consumer credit bureaus — Equifax®, Experian®, and TransUnion®. Using one can be a good way to help you establish credit when you’re starting out on your credit journey.

For a gas card to build credit, however, you’ll need to stick to the following credit best practices.

Choose a Card Carefully

If you decide to open a gas credit card, carefully review the terms, rates, and fees. Gas credit cards typically have high interest rates compared to other types of cards, so if you anticipate carrying a balance, you could end up paying a considerable amount on interest charges.

While many gas credit cards don’t carry an annual fee, you might get hit with late fees, balance transfer fees, and returned payment fees. Make sure you’re aware of what fees a gas credit card may charge so you can avoid them.

Pay on Time Each Month

Your payment history is the largest contributing factor to your FICO® credit score. As such, it’s important to make your payments on time, each and every month.

You can keep track of when credit card payments are due with reminders or else set up autopay. You might also aim to pay off your balance in full each month, which will allow you to avoid paying interest on your gas credit card. To do this, set a limit for how much you want to spend on your gas credit card each month and stick to it.

Don’t Spend Up to the Credit Limit

Another factor that influences your credit score is your credit utilization, which is how much of your overall credit limit you’re currently using. It’s generally suggested to keep this credit utilization ratio at no more than 30% to avoid adverse effects to your credit score. If you were to spend up to your credit limit, that would likely drive up your credit utilization well about that recommended threshold.

Recommended: Does Applying For a Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?

Keep Track of Your Credit Score

Monitoring your credit score can help you pinpoint behaviors that can impact your credit score, as well as notice any red flags. By keeping an eye on your credit, you can better make adjustments to your habits and spending to ensure you’re making progress on building your credit score.

You can keep track of your credit score in a handful of ways, including by signing up for a free credit monitoring service or possibly through your credit card issuer.

Advantages of Building Credit With Gas Cards

Gas cards absolutely can be good for building credit, and here are the benefits of using one to do so:

•   Savings on gas: A major perk — and the one that is most apparent — is that you can receive discounts at the pump by using a gas credit card.

•   Potentially easier approval: A gas credit card can have easier approval requirements than other types of cards, such as rewards credit cards. This can make it easier to get credit, and therefore start building your credit.

•   Rewards and sign-up bonuses: Gas credit cards might offer rewards, perhaps just on your spending at the pump or more generally across purchases, depending on the type of gas credit card. Some gas credit cards offer a sign-up bonus if you meet a minimum spending requirement within the first few months.

Drawbacks of Building Credit With Gas Cards

There are downsides to using gas cards to build credit as well, including:

•   Potentially restricted use: If you get approved for a credit card that you can only use when you fill up at a gas station from a single gas or oil company, it might take you a bit more work and planning to use your card. That being said, there are some more general use gas cards available.

•   Higher interest rates: If you’re building your credit from scratch and are approved for a card with less stringent financial or credit criteria, this can mean higher credit card interest rates and less generous or attractive card perks.

•   Limits on earnings and rewards programs: While some gas cards do offer rewards, they’re usually not as robust as they would be with other types of credit cards. Plus, many gas cards have a cap on how much you can earn in rewards in a given year.

Recommended: What Is the Average Credit Card Limit?

The Takeaway

A gas credit card could be a strong option if you are looking for a credit card with easier approval requirements to take a step toward building credit. Before deciding, consider the advantages and drawbacks of getting a gas card to build credit.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

Are gas cards worth it?

Gas cards can be worth it if you are looking for a credit card with less stringent approval criteria and are trying to establish or build credit. Many don’t have annual fees, so if you’re able to pay the balance in full each month, it could be worth opening. Plus, you might be able to save at the pump.

Are gas cards good for building credit?

Gas cards can be good for building credit as they do report your activity and payment history to the credit bureaus. However, in order for them to help with your credit, you must maintain responsible credit habits, like making on-time payments and maintaining a reasonable credit utilization ratio.

Is it better to use a fuel card or a credit card?

Whether a fuel card or credit card is better depends on what you typically use your credit card for, as well as what cards you’re able to get approved for. If you would like a card that you can use only for gas and would like to rack up gas savings, then a fuel could be a good fit. Another type of credit card, such as a cash-back or travel rewards credit card, could offer you different perks. However, they might be harder to get approved for.

Do gas cards save you money?

Gas credit cards can shave a few dollars at the gas pump in the way of discounts and promotions. Some cards offer cash back rewards, usually up to a certain amount per year.

Photo credit: iStock/Talaj

Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

Third-Party Brand Mentions: No brands, products, or companies mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this article. Third-party trademarks referenced herein are property of their respective owners.

Third Party Trademarks: Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, CFP® (with plaque design), and CFP® (with flame design) in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.

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Revolving credit and non-revolving lines of credit are two financial instruments that allow you to access a specific amount of money upfront.

With revolving credit, a borrower can continually access funds up to their credit limit and then, once they repay those funds, their available credit will get replenished. The line of credit remains open for use until either the borrower or lender closes it. On the other hand, a line of credit that’s non-revolving is a one-time arrangement — after the borrower spends the set credit limit and pays off the amount in full, their account will be closed.

Understanding Revolving Credit and How It Works

Revolving credit offers the ability to use a particular sum of money over and over again. You’re usually given a credit limit, and you can spend up to that limit. As you make payments to your account, your available credit increases once again.

One example of revolving credit is a credit card. You have an initial credit limit and can continue to make charges to your card as long as your total balance stays below your credit limit. As you make payments, you can continue to use your credit card each month.

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Pros and Cons of Revolving Credit

The biggest upside of revolving credit is that you can use the money over and over again, as long as you continually pay down your balances. This setup can be helpful if you have short-term expenses to cover, as you’ll have a pool of money you can dip into and then quickly repay. Plus, you’ll only accrue interest charges and make payments on the amount you actually use. You can usually keep your interest at zero if you repay the full amount you borrowed every month.

There are a few cons to revolving credit though. For one, they may have higher interest rates compared to some other types of loans, such as traditional installment loans. Additionally, your revolving credit may come with annual fees. There’s also the potential to negatively impact your credit if you don’t use revolving credit responsibly, as you could drive up your credit utilization rate by using too much of your available credit limit.

Understanding a Line of Credit and How It Works

A line of credit, such as a personal line of credit, can be either revolving or non-revolving. If it’s a non-revolving line of credit, you have access to the initial sum of money, but once you spend it, you won’t be able to access it any more. Otherwise, non-revolving lines of credit function similarly to revolving credit lines.

How Is a Credit Line Determined?

The credit line that you receive through a line of credit or a credit card is determined by the issuer. This determination is based on their evaluation of a number of different factors. Specifically, a lender may review your credit history as tracked by your credit report, employment and income, and any previous credit you’ve had with them. They may also use proprietary algorithms to determine how much credit to extend.

What Credit Score Is Needed for a Credit Line?

Generally speaking, the higher your credit score, the better the chance that you’ll be approved for a credit line. You will also often get a lower interest rate the higher your credit score. This is another reason why it’s a good financial practice to work toward maintaining and/or building your credit score.

Calculating Interest on a Credit Line

Most credit lines and forms of revolving credit (such as different types of credit cards) charge interest for any amount that remains outstanding after the statement due date.

The interest rate you’re charged is determined by the card issuer and the terms of your credit line. If you pay off your credit line in full by the statement due date, you may not owe any interest at all. But if you have an outstanding balance, you’ll likely be charged interest on the total balance that remains. Those interest rates can typically be quite high.

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Pros and Cons of Line of Credit

One pro of a line of credit is that you may be able to have multiple lines of credit. These may be with different banks or through different products that are issued by the same bank. Another upside is that non-revolving lines of credit tend to have lower interest rates, and they’re often for higher amounts compared to revolving credit.

However, a downside of a non-revolving line of credit is that you’re only able to access your credit line once. Even if you make payments toward your balance, you won’t be able to access your money again, like you would with revolving credit. If for whatever reason you decide you’d like to borrow additional funds, you’ll have to go through the hassle of another application and approval process.

Similarities Between Revolving Credit and Lines of Credit

It’s important to note that a line of credit may either be revolving debt or non-revolving. So it’s possible that a particular line of credit will also be revolving credit and share all of its similarities.

Another similarity between revolving credit and a line of credit is that they both allow you to access a specific amount of money (your credit limit) upfront.

Differences Between Revolving Credit and Lines of Credit

The biggest difference between revolving credit and a non-revolving line of credit lies in how often you can access it. With revolving credit, you can access the money in your credit line as often as you need, as long as your total balance remains below your available credit limit. With a non-revolving line of credit, however, you can only access your available credit one time.

Recommended: Difference Between a Personal Line of Credit and a Credit Card

Lines of Credit vs Traditional Loans

Lines of credit differ from traditional loans in a few key areas, and it’s important to understand the differences.

With a line of credit, you have control over when and how you access your money — you don’t have to take it all at once. If your line of credit is a revolving line, you can even access your money repeatedly, as long as your total balance is below your credit limit.

Meanwhile, with a traditional installment loan, you get all of your money in one lump sum, usually at or near the date of closing. You’ll then pay a fixed amount each month until your loan is completely paid off. Mortgages and many personal loans are often considered traditional loans.

The Takeaway

Both revolving credit and non-revolving lines of credit offer access to funds, though there are key differences between revolving credit and a line of credit. With a non-revolving line of credit, you can only access the total amount of money once. In contrast, revolving credit allows you to access the money multiple times, as long as the outstanding amount is less than your total available credit amount. A credit card is considered one form of revolving credit.

Whether you're looking to build credit, apply for a new credit card, or save money with the cards you have, it's important to understand the options that are best for you. Learn more about credit cards by exploring this credit card guide.

FAQ

What’s the difference between an installment loan and a revolving line of credit?

A revolving line of credit and an installment loan are different ways to access money. With an installment loan, you get all your money upfront and then make fixed monthly payments for the term of the loan. With a revolving line of credit, you’re given a credit limit and can then choose to access however much of that limit you need, only paying interest on your outstanding balance.

Can mismanagement of my revolving credit damage my credit score?

Yes, it is possible to damage your credit if you don’t manage your revolving credit responsibly. For example, missing payments or keeping a high balance on a revolving line of credit can both have negative effects.

What is the duration of a revolving line of credit?

Your revolving line of credit typically will remain open until either you or the lender decides to close it. There are several reasons a lender may close a revolving line of credit without a borrower’s permission, including a prolonged period of inactivity, a history of late or missed payments, breached terms of the agreement, or repeated spending over the credit limit.

How does interest work for revolving credit?

Typically, borrowers will only pay interest on the amount they’ve accessed from their line of credit. Interest charges generally only apply to any balance that remains after the statement due date.

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Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.

This content is provided for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as financial advice.

Disclaimer: Many factors affect your credit scores and the interest rates you may receive. SoFi is not a Credit Repair Organization as defined under federal or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. SoFi does not provide “credit repair” services or advice or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history, or credit rating. For details, see the FTC’s website .

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