Tradeline
Also known as: credit tradeline, credit account
A single credit account as reported on a credit report. Each open or closed account (credit card, auto loan, mortgage, personal loan) is a separate tradeline. FICO and VantageScore models weight tradeline count, age, and payment history heavily.
Full definition
A tradeline is the unit of measurement on a credit report. Each lender reports each open or closed credit account as its own tradeline, with fields including original balance, current balance, monthly payment, payment history (the 84-month grid of on-time / 30 / 60 / 90+ marks), date opened, date closed, and credit type (revolving vs installment). FICO scoring models consider files with fewer than three open tradelines as 'thin file' and may decline to generate a score. Older tradelines weigh more heavily on positive impact than newer ones; the average age of accounts is a meaningful score input. Closing an old tradeline removes it from the average-age calculation after 10 years (for accounts in good standing) or 7 years (for accounts with derogatories), which is why advisors generally counsel against closing old cards even when unused.
- Written by
- Get Advance Loan Editorial Team
- Reviewed by
- Compliance Review
- Published
- January 15, 2026
- Last reviewed
- May 22, 2026
- Credit scoreA three-digit number (typically 300 to 850) summarising your credit history. Lenders use it to predict the likelihood you'll repay.
- FICO scoreFICO is the credit-scoring model used in roughly 90% of U.S. lending decisions. Scores range from 300 to 850.
- VantageScoreVantageScore is a competing credit-scoring model jointly developed by the three major credit bureaus. Also runs 300 to 850.
- Credit reportA record of your credit history maintained by the three U.S. credit bureaus. You're entitled to one free copy per year from each bureau.
- Soft credit inquiryA credit check that does not affect your credit score. Used for pre-qualification and rate-shopping.
- Hard credit inquiryA credit check that may lower your credit score a few points and remains on your credit report for up to 24 months.
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