How to Check Your Credit Score for Free
Your credit score is a number lenders use to estimate how likely you are to repay borrowed money. It is calculated from the information in your credit report, and you can see both without paying anything.
Where to check for free
There are two different things to look at, and both matter.
Your credit report
The report is the underlying record: accounts, balances, payment history, searches and public records. In the United States you are entitled to free reports from the three main bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com, the only site authorised by federal law for this.
Checking the report is more important than checking the score, because errors in the report are what drag a score down and they can be disputed.
Your credit score
- Your bank or card issuer. Many show a score free in the app, updated monthly.
- Free credit monitoring services. These are funded by product recommendations rather than fees.
- The bureaus themselves, which often provide a free score alongside a paid product.
Checking your own score is a soft search and never damages it. Only applications create hard searches.
Why your score is different everywhere
People often assume one of the numbers is wrong. Usually none of them are.
- Different models. FICO and VantageScore weigh factors differently and produce different numbers from identical data.
- Different versions. There are many FICO versions in active use, and a mortgage lender may use an older one than your banking app.
- Different bureaus. Lenders do not all report to all three, so the underlying data differs.
- Different dates. Scores update as balances are reported, so a week’s gap changes things.
What matters is the band you fall in rather than the exact figure.
Score ranges
| Range | Commonly described as |
|---|---|
| 800 to 850 | Exceptional |
| 740 to 799 | Very good |
| 670 to 739 | Good |
| 580 to 669 | Fair |
| 300 to 579 | Poor |
Most lenders price in bands, so moving from 735 to 745 can matter more than moving from 790 to 800.
What actually moves the number
FICO publishes approximate weightings, and they are worth knowing because they tell you where effort pays.
- Payment history, about 35 per cent. Whether you pay on time. A single payment 30 days late can cost a lot and stays on the report for years.
- Amounts owed, about 30 per cent. Mainly credit utilisation, the share of your available limit you are using. Below 30 per cent is a common guide, and lower is better.
- Length of credit history, about 15 per cent. Older accounts help, which is why closing your oldest card can backfire.
- Credit mix, about 10 per cent. A blend of revolving and instalment credit.
- New credit, about 10 per cent. Several applications in a short period look like distress.
Two thirds of the score comes from paying on time and not carrying large balances. Everything else is detail.
What does not affect it
- Your income or savings
- Checking your own score
- Your age, job or where you live
- Using a debit card
- Paying with cash
Checking the report for errors
Errors are common enough to be worth a yearly look. Check that every account is yours, balances are roughly right, closed accounts show as closed, and no searches appear that you did not make.
Unrecognised accounts or searches can be a sign of identity theft, which is worth acting on quickly. Disputes are made directly with the bureau, free of charge, and they must investigate.
Frequently asked questions
Does checking my credit score lower it?
No. Checking your own is a soft inquiry with no effect. Only hard inquiries from applications have a small temporary impact.
How often does a score update?
Typically monthly, when lenders report. Different accounts report on different dates, so your score can change several times a month.
How long does it take to improve a score?
Lowering utilisation can show within one or two reporting cycles. Recovering from missed payments takes much longer, and the record stays on the report for several years.
Should I close a card I do not use?
Often not. Closing reduces your total available credit, which raises utilisation, and can shorten average account age. Keeping it open with occasional small use is usually better.
What is a good score to buy a house?
Requirements vary by loan type and lender. Higher scores get better rates, and the difference over a long mortgage is substantial.
Do I have one score or several?
Several. Different models and bureaus produce different numbers, and lenders choose which to use.
This article is general information, not financial advice. For decisions about borrowing, speak to a qualified adviser.
