Score Goals
How to Go From 550 to 650 Credit Score
550 is subprime. 650 is FHA-mortgage territory. The 100 points between them are won with disputes, tradelines, and ruthless utilization control.
Your position on the board
You're rebuilding from a back-rank position. The good news: the climb from 550 to 650 is the steepest, fastest part of the board.
Your move
Knight move — jump straight to your strategy.
Why scores under 600 climb fastest
FICO compresses the impact of new positive history when the file is thin. Two new tradelines + one collection removed can move a 550 file by 60+ points in 90 days.
Step 1: Stop the bleeding
Bring every open account current. Even one new 30-day late at 550 will wipe out 40 points of progress.
Step 2: Dispute the worst three negatives
Identify the three derogatories with the heaviest score weight. Dispute those first — full removal of one beats partial cleanup of ten.
Step 3: Add a secured card + credit-builder loan
Two new positive tradelines reporting at 1% utilization for 6 months adds the depth FICO needs to score you above 650.
Frequently asked
How long does it take to go from 550 to 650?
Most clients reach 650 in 4–6 months with a focused dispute + tradeline plan.
Can I get a credit card at 550?
Secured cards yes. Unsecured cards are rare and predatory at 550 — we don't recommend them.
Should I pay collections to raise my score from 550?
Only with a written pay-for-delete agreement. A paid-but-still-reporting collection often does nothing on older FICO models.
Your move
Knight move — jump straight to your strategy.
Ready to make the move?
Take the Credit Score QuizRelated plays