Choose average account age, total account age, or number of accounts, then enter the two requested values.
Average Credit Age Formula
The average credit age is the total age of all credit accounts divided by the number of accounts. Select the value to calculate and enter the other two. A fractional inferred account count indicates rounded or inconsistent ages.
- ACA = average credit age, in years
- TAA = total age of all accounts, in years
- N = number of accounts
To calculate the total age of all accounts, the formula is rearranged:
To calculate the number of accounts, the formula is rearranged:
- Average age of accounts: Enter total account age and number of accounts.
- Total age of all accounts: Enter average account age and number of accounts.
- Number of accounts: Enter total account age and average account age.
Average Credit Age Ranges
The descriptions below are informal age labels, not validated credit-score thresholds. Credit scoring models consider additional factors and may treat account age differently.
| Average Age of Accounts | General Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | Very new credit history |
| 1 to 3 years | Short credit history |
| 3 to 6 years | Moderate credit history |
| 6 to less than 10 years | Established credit history |
| 10 years or more | Long credit history |
How New Accounts Affect Average Credit Age
| Situation | Effect on Average Credit Age |
|---|---|
| Opening a new account | Usually lowers the average because a new account has little or no age. |
| Keeping older accounts open | Can help maintain a higher average age. |
| Closing an old account | May affect the average depending on the scoring model and how long the closed account remains on your report. |
| Letting accounts age over time | Gradually increases the average if no new accounts are added. |
Example Calculations
Example 1: Calculate average age of accounts
You have 5 accounts with a combined total age of 22 years.
Your average credit age is 4.40 years.
Example 2: Calculate total age of all accounts
Your average account age is 6.5 years, and you have 4 accounts.
The total age of all accounts is 26 years.
FAQ
How do I find the total age of all my accounts?
List each credit account and write down its age in years. Then add those ages together. For example, accounts that are 8 years, 5 years, 3 years, and 2 years old have a total age of 18 years.
Does opening a new credit card lower average credit age?
Yes, opening a new credit card usually lowers your average credit age because the new account starts with an age close to zero. The effect is larger if you have only a few existing accounts.
Is average credit age the same as length of credit history?
Not exactly. Average credit age looks at the average age across your accounts. Length of credit history can also refer to your oldest account, newest account, and how long specific accounts have been active.
