Payment history is typically the single biggest factor in most credit scoring models, which is why even one missed payment can cause a noticeable drop, sometimes 60 to 100 points depending on your starting score.
Generally, a payment must be at least 30 days late before it is reported to credit bureaus, so paying a few days after the due date usually will not affect your score, though it may still trigger a late fee from the lender.
The impact of a single late payment fades over time, especially if it is an isolated incident surrounded by a strong payment history. Setting up autopay for at least the minimum payment is one of the simplest ways to prevent this from happening by accident. This is educational content only.