how long is a late payment held against credit score

[HeavenOhio]

It's a good question.

Someone with direct experience should chime in. But I believe the effects of a minor late, such as 30 days, should diminish within a couple of years. A major late, e.g. 120 days, is likely to effect one's score for the full seven-year duration.

[Anonymous]

The above post from HO is correct.

Another important point to consider is how many other late payments you have and of what severity.  If you already have a 120 day late payment on your credit report that's say 5 years old, the addition (or removal) of a 30 day or 60 day late payment either now or from the past is likely to have little to no bearing on your score, as the 120 day late is the constraint that will keep it from moving significantly. 

[marty56]

A 120 day late will impact your score for the full 7 years but it is possible to have a 760 score as long as your report is clean otherwise and have a high AAoA.