How long does it take for your credit score to update?

Quick insights

• Your credit score gives lenders and businesses a snapshot of your creditworthiness and is based on a number of different factors – including your payment history and credit utilization, among others.
• Your credit score can fluctuate throughout the month, or you might go an entire month with the same score.
• The length of time it takes for your credit score to update is determined by the reporting practices of lenders and the processing times of the three different credit bureaus.

 Credit scores can change every month, if not more frequently than that. But is there a set timeframe that dictates when they update? And what causes these changes in the first place?

Understanding when credit scores update

Credit score updates can be confusing, but we’ve got you covered. Let’s start by taking a look at when, how, and why credit scores update.

Credit scores update based on the reporting cycle of lenders as well as each of the three major U.S. credit bureaus (Experian™, Equifax^® and TransUnion^®). This typically occurs every 30 to 45 days. This means that any updates to your credit information, such as missed payments, a paid-off balance or a new credit account, will generally be reflected in your credit score within this timeframe.

Different types of information on your credit report, such as payment history or credit inquiries, may update at different times. For example, a new credit inquiry might appear on your credit report immediately after you apply for a new credit account, while a late payment might not appear until 30 days after the payment due date. There is no set timeline for reporting used by all lenders and credit bureaus, but changes are typically reflected within two months of the event or action that caused them.

Different lenders report to the credit bureaus at different times, and not all lenders report to the credit bureaus every month. Also, some lenders only report to one or two of the three major credit bureaus.  All of this can affect when your credit score updates. For instance, a lender might report to the credit bureaus bimonthly, so a payment made in January might not be reflected in your credit score until March. But another lender might report monthly, causing your credit score to update twice in March after only changing once in February.

Regularly checking both your credit score and your credit report can help ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date. You can check your credit score as often as you like, and many lenders offer that service free in their app. For instance, Chase Credit Journey^® is free to use even if you’re not a Chase customer. It allows you to view your credit score online or in the app.

You can get a free credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus once per year through AnnualCreditReport.com or by calling (877) 322-8228. If you notice any inaccuracies, you can dispute them directly with the credit bureau. Please note that your credit report is typically not identical across all three credit bureaus.

Why credit scores update on different days

Credit score updates are fluid, and the specific days the updates occur can vary. This is because there are numerous different parties involved – you, the consumer; the lender or business; and three different credit bureaus.

Credit scores update on different days because each lender has its own schedule for reporting updates to the credit bureaus. For example, one lender might report updates to the credit bureaus on the first of the month, while another lender might report updates on the 15th of the month.

The three major credit bureaus may receive and process updates at different times, leading to slight variations in your credit score between the bureaus. This is why it can be helpful to check your credit score from all three bureaus.

Using a credit monitoring service like Chase Credit Journey can help you keep track of when your credit score updates. This service provides alerts that notify you of changes in your  accounts and credit report that could impact your score.

How long it takes for your credit score to update after a dispute

If you see something that seems inaccurate in your credit report, you can dispute it. The results of that dispute can be reflected in your credit score, but this typically doesn't happen immediately. Resolved disputes can take up to 30 days or more to be reflected in your credit score. The credit bureau needs time to investigate the dispute and update your credit report with the corrected information. Generally, the disputed account is temporarily not calculated in your credit score until the dispute is resolved.

 The dispute process typically goes as follows:

• Identify the error: You notice something inaccurate on your credit report and file a dispute with the credit bureau(s). Examples of errors include a mistake in your personal information, an account that doesn't belong to you or a payment incorrectly reported as late.
• Gather evidence: Once you've identified the error, gather any evidence that supports your claim. This could include bank statements, payment records, or correspondence with the lender or creditor.
• Contact the credit bureau: Write a dispute letter to the appropriate credit bureau. If you notice the same error on your report from multiple credit bureaus, it could make sense to repeat this process with each bureau. In your letter, clearly identify each item in your report which you dispute, use facts to explain why you dispute the information and request that it be removed or corrected. You should also include copies (not originals) of any relevant documents that support your position.
• Contact the lender: In addition to contacting the credit bureau, it can also be helpful write to the lender or creditor that reported the inaccurate information. This letter should include the same information you provided to the credit bureau.
• Credit bureau investigation: The credit bureau contacts the lender or information provider to verify the accuracy of the disputed information. They also review your provided evidence during this time.
• Lender response: The lender or information provider has 30 days to respond to the dispute.
• Credit bureau decision: The credit bureau decides on the case and updates your credit report. The credit bureau is also required to provide you with the results in writing. If the dispute results in a change to your credit report, they must also provide you with a free copy of your credit report, even if you previously received your free copy for the year.
• Review: After a dispute is resolved, your credit report should reflect the correct information. If the disputed information is still appearing on your credit report, you may need to contact the credit bureau and the lender or information provider to ensure the correction is made.
• Follow up: If the dispute is not resolved in your favor, you can ask that a statement of the dispute be included in your file and in future reports. You can also appeal the decision by submitting additional evidence or contacting a lawyer for help.

The speed at which your credit score updates after a dispute can depend on how quickly the lender or other information provider updates the credit bureau with the corrected information. If the lender or information provider is slow to update the credit bureau, it can delay the update to your credit score.

Rapid rescore: a quick overview

A rapid rescore is a process that lets you expedite updates to your credit report in order to help improve your credit score more quickly, usually within a few days. This can be helpful if you're applying for a loan, mortgage or new credit card and want to improve your credit score quickly to help increase your chances of approval and/or help you qualify for a better interest rate.

It's important to note that a rapid rescore can only update the information that's already on your credit report; it can't add new information that hasn't been reported by your lenders.

Please note that many lenders, including Chase, do not offer the rapid rescore option.

Bottom line

Credit scores can be confusing at times, especially in terms of when and how they update. While there is no set timeline for credit score updates followed by all parties involved, you will typically see an update to your credit score every 30-45 days. If you make more significant changes, such as paying off a college loan or starting a new mortgage, the update can happen more quickly.