Average Age of Accounts (AAoA) Explained: What It Is, How to Calculate It, and How to Protect Your Score

What counts in AAoA?

AAoA is usually based on the accounts that appear on your credit reports, including:

• Credit cards and lines of credit (revolving)
• Auto loans, student loans, mortgages (installment)

Scoring models can differ on details, but the practical point stays the same: older, well-managed accounts generally help.

Why AAoA affects your score

AAoA isn’t a separate scoring “bucket.” It’s one measure inside length of credit history, which FICO educational materials describe as considering:
oldest account age, newest account age, and average age of accounts
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How to calculate AAoA (easy method)

1. Convert each account’s age into months (months since opened).
2. Add all months together.
3. Divide by the number of accounts.

Example (February 2026)

AAoA = 84 ÷ 3 = 28 months (2 years, 4 months)

Mini AAoA calculator (optional)

Paste account ages in months (one per line). Example: 48 24 12

What happens if you open a new account today?

A new account starts at 0 months, so it usually lowers AAoA in the short term.

Using the example above, adding one new card:

• New card age = 0 months
• New AAoA = 84 ÷ 4 = 21 months

The dip is basic math. It’s often temporary if on-time payments and utilization stay strong.

Does closing a credit card hurt AAoA?

Often not immediately. Many scoring explanations treat age as reflecting accounts (open and closed) that still appear on your credit reports
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Credit bureau guidance also explains that closed accounts can remain on your reports for years (commonly longer for positive history than for negative history)
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The bigger immediate risk when closing a card

Closing a card can reduce total available credit, which can raise utilization (a faster-moving score factor than age for many people).

AAoA protection plan (real-life rules that work)

If you’re building credit (thin file)

• Open fewer accounts, but choose ones you’ll keep long-term.
• Prioritize on-time payments and low utilization first.

If you want better perks without a “new account” hit

• Ask your issuer about a product change (same bank, different card). This may preserve account age, but rules vary by bank.

If a big application is coming (mortgage, auto loan, apartment)

• Avoid unnecessary new accounts for a few months beforehand when possible.
• Keep utilization steady and don’t stack avoidable applications.

Common myths (quick corrections)

• Myth: “Never open a new account.”
  Reality: New accounts can be useful; the key is purpose and timing.
• Myth: “Closing a card instantly wipes out its age.”
  Reality: Closed accounts can remain on reports for years, and scoring explanations often treat age as reflecting accounts while they remain on your report
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• Myth: “AAoA is the only age metric.”
  Reality: Length of credit history also reflects oldest and newest account ages
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FAQ

Does AAoA include loans or just credit cards?

AAoA is typically based on the accounts that appear on your credit reports, which can include both revolving and installment accounts (model-dependent).

How fast can AAoA improve?

Slowly—time is the input. AAoA rises as months pass and improves faster when you stop adding brand-new accounts.

Will opening a new card lower my score even if I don’t use it?

It can, because a new account can lower AAoA and adds “new credit” signals (including an inquiry). The effect is often temporary if utilization and payments stay strong.