How to Improve Your Credit Score in Canada (What Actually Works)

Canadian credit scores run from 300 to 900 and come from Equifax and TransUnion. Two factors dominate: paying on time and how much of your limits you use.

Fastest wins (1–2 months)

1. Lower your utilization. Pay balances down before the statement date so the reported balance is under 30% of the limit — under 10% is better. See credit utilization.
2. Fix errors. Get your free reports from Equifax and TransUnion and dispute anything wrong — a wrong late payment or an account that isn't yours.
3. Ask for a higher limit on a card you already have (and don't spend it).

Medium term (3–12 months)

• Never miss a payment. Set every card to auto-pay at least the minimum.
• Keep old accounts open. Older history helps.
• Limit new applications. Each hard inquiry can cost a few points.

If you have little or no credit

A secured credit card or a credit-builder loan is the usual start. Our credit builder hub explains the options.

What doesn't help

• Checking your own score — it's a soft inquiry and never hurts.
• Paying a company to "repair" accurate negative items. Accurate information can't legally be removed early.

Protect what you've built

Identity theft can wreck a score overnight. Placing a fraud alert with both bureaus is free. Many Canadians also reduce exposure by removing their personal details from people-search and data broker sites — services like DataRemoval.ca automate those requests.

See how long negatives last: negative information on a credit report. Try the credit score simulator.