| Period (mo) | Total Payments | On-Time | 30/60/90/120+ | Collections | Charge-offs | Bankruptcies | Months Since Late | History (mo) | Estimated Score | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 72 | 70 | 1 / 0 / 0 / 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 72 | ~91 | Good |
This estimator starts from a base score of 100 and subtracts penalties for missed payments, severity of late marks, and major negative events. It then applies multipliers for recency, history length, and evaluation window.
| Step | Computation | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1) On-time rate | onTimeRatio = onTime / totalPayments | Higher ratios reduce the miss-rate penalty. |
| 2) Late severity penalty | latePenalty = 3·L30 + 6·L60 + 10·L90 + 15·L120+ | More severe delinquencies cost more points. |
| 3) Miss-rate penalty | missPenalty = (1 − onTimeRatio) · 180 | Small miss rates still create noticeable impact. |
| 4) Derogatory penalty | derogPenalty = 20·collections + 25·chargeOffs + 45·bankruptcies | Major negatives reduce the score strongly. |
| 5) Multipliers | totalPenalty = (latePenalty + missPenalty + derogPenalty) · recency · history · window | Recent negatives weigh more; long clean histories soften impact. |
| 6) Final score | score = clamp(100 − totalPenalty, 0, 100) | Final output shown with a category label. |
The weights are educational approximations. Real scoring models may treat individual accounts, dispute flags, and payment recency with more nuance.
- Choose an evaluation period that matches your review window (commonly 24 months).
- Either enable auto-calculate scheduled payments or enter your total scheduled payments manually.
- Enter your on-time payments and the counts of late marks (30/60/90/120+).
- Add any negative events such as collections or charge-offs for the same period.
- Provide months since the most recent late and your credit history length.
- Click Estimate Score. Review the breakdown, then download a CSV or PDF for recordkeeping.
On‑time rate benchmarks
Across most scoring models, payment history is the heaviest factor. An on‑time rate near 99% usually supports stronger outcomes, while 95% signals frequent slips. In this calculator, every late mark reduces the on‑time ratio, then adds a miss‑rate penalty. 70 on‑time out of 72 equals 97.22%, missRate 2.78%. The miss‑rate penalty is missRate × 180, 5.0 points.
Severity and hard negatives
A single 30‑day late often hurts less than a 90‑day late, but repetition compounds damage. The estimator weights late counts as 3, 6, 10, and 15 points for 30, 60, 90, and 120+ days. If you enter 2,0,1,0, the severity subtotal becomes 16 points. Collections, charge‑offs, and bankruptcies add 20, 25, and 45 points each, often dominating the stack.
Recency changes the slope
Recent delinquencies matter more than older ones. The tool applies a recency multiplier that can lift total penalties by 35% when the most recent late is within one month. At 6 months, the multiplier is lower, and at 12+ months it approaches neutral, so the same history produces a better score.
History length and evaluation window
Longer, clean histories dilute negatives because they show stability over time. The calculator applies a forgiveness factor once history reaches 60 months and a stronger one at 120 months. It also adjusts for the evaluation window: a 12‑month review concentrates negatives more than a 36‑month review, increasing penalty density.
Using the score to plan actions
Treat the 0–100 result as a scenario score, not a bureau grade. Aim for zero new lates; automation and buffers prevent repeats. Categories map to ranges: 95+ excellent, 85–94.9 good, 70–84.9 fair, 50–69.9 poor. Try moving one late payment to on‑time, increasing “months since most recent late,” and extending the period to compare sensitivity. Track improvements monthly, then export CSV or PDF for side‑by‑side comparisons easily.
1) What counts as a late payment in this estimator?
Use the count of reported delinquencies in your chosen period. A payment can be late without being “reported late,” so try to align your counts with what appears on statements or credit reports.
2) Should I choose a 12 or 24 month evaluation period?
Use 24 months for a steadier, more representative view. Use 12 months when you want to test how recent behavior changes sensitivity, especially if you had late marks within the last year.
3) How do collections and charge-offs affect the score here?
They add higher fixed penalties than ordinary late payments, then recency and history multipliers apply. Even one collection or charge-off can pull the category down quickly in short evaluation windows.
4) What if I don’t know my total scheduled payments?
Enable the auto-calculate option and enter account counts and payment frequency. If you prefer manual entry, estimate scheduled payments using your billing cadence and the number of accounts you maintained during the period.
5) Why can the category improve after a few months?
Recency fades as months since the most recent late increases, lowering the multiplier. Consistent on-time payments also raise your on-time ratio, reducing the miss-rate penalty over time.
6) Does this equal my lender’s credit score?
No. This is an educational scenario tool focused on payment behavior. Lenders may use different models, different data sources, and additional factors like utilization, inquiries, and verified income.