There is no fixed credit score that a person "starts" with. Instead, if you have no credit history, you typically start with no credit score at all. Your credit score is generated only after you begin using credit products like a credit card or loan, and enough data has been reported to credit bureaus- usually about six months of credit activity is needed to establish a score

. When your credit score does appear, it is not zero or the minimum score (300), but rather a number calculated based on your credit behavior. Credit scores generally range from 300 to 850, with the initial score depending on factors such as payment history, credit utilization, credit mix, length of credit history, and new credit inquiries

. Most people do not have a credit score before age 18 or 21 because of legal restrictions on obtaining credit. However, becoming an authorized user on someone else's account can help establish credit earlier

. In summary:

• You start with no credit score (not zero or 300).
• Your credit score begins once you open your first credit account and data is reported.
• It takes about six months of credit activity to generate a score.
• Initial scores vary depending on how you manage your credit.
• Scores range from 300 to 850, with higher scores indicating better creditworthiness

This process reflects how credit scoring models like FICO and VantageScore work in the United States.