Experian, TransUnion and Equifax now offer all U.S. consumers free weekly credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com.
In this article:
- Credit Scoring Models
- Credit Score Ranges
- What Is Good Credit, Anyway?
- How Credit Scores Are Calculated
- Other Factors to Consider
- Why Credit Scores Can Differ Between Experian, TransUnion and Equifax
- Expand Your Range
To interpret your credit score, and what it tells you about your borrowing power, you need to understand where the score falls along the score range between the lowest and highest numbers generated by its scoring system.
All credit scores have the same basic goal: helping lenders (and other potential creditors, such as landlords and utility companies) understand how risky it may be to do business with you. High credit scores indicate relatively low likelihood of default and relatively low risk for creditors. Lower scores, in turn, indicate greater risk.
An extremely low credit score, which suggests a history of poor debt management, may cause creditors to decide against lending you money, leasing you an apartment, or issuing you phone or cable equipment. More often, lenders use credit scores, along with other information such as employment history and proof of income, to decide how much they are willing to lend you and at what interest rate. Landlords and utility companies also may use credit scores to help decide whether to charge you a security deposit—and how large it should be.
All other factors being equal, a higher credit score generally means you'll pay lower interest rates, fees and deposits. Over the lifetime of a loan, even a small reduction in rate can save you thousands of dollars in interest, so it pays to have a high credit score.
Credit Scoring Models
Credit scores are calculated using computer programs known as scoring models. Scoring models perform sophisticated statistical analysis on the contents of your credit report—your history of borrowing and repaying debts, as recorded by the three national credit bureaus: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. Scoring models look for patterns in your credit report data that historically have been associated with payment defaults among consumers. Based on the prevalence (or absence) of these patterns, scoring models assign you a score, usually in the form of a three-digit number, reflecting your predicted riskiness relative to other consumers.
Models developed by different companies, such as the FICO® Score☉ and VantageScore®, differ in how they calculate and report scores. There are also often multiple versions of a given model available from its developer (something like different versions of Windows or Android) and specialty models designed for specific industries. When comparing one credit score to another, or tracking changes in scores over time, it's important to know the following, to be sure you're making apples-to-apples comparisons:
- Which scoring model was used to calculate your score
- The version number of that model
- The highest and lowest scores you can get using that model (also known as the score range)
- Which credit bureau furnished the credit report from which the score was derived
Whenever you receive a credit score, either from a creditor explaining a lending decision or when you check your own score for informational purposes, the law requires inclusion of this information.
Credit Score Ranges
Trying to interpret a credit score without knowing its score range is a little like dressing to go outside when you're told the temperature is 30, but not whether that's in degrees Fahrenheit or Celsius. Knowing which scale to apply makes a huge difference. In that light, consider a credit score of 700.
As you'll see in more detail below, a score of 700 on the FICO® scoring range, which spans 300 to 850, indicates "good credit" and would likely make you eligible for a variety of loan offers. FICO® Scores are used by 90% of top lenders, so a FICO® Score is a pretty accurate reflection of your creditworthiness as a lender might see it.
The current credit scoring models from FICO® competitor VantageScore Solutions LLC also use a score range of 300 to 850, but because VantageScore models are calibrated differently from FICO® models, a score of 700 generated by those models (VantageScore 3.0 or VantageScore 4.0) is considered good verging on fair.
- FICO® Auto Score Range
The FICO® Auto Score is a special variation on the FICO® Score designed for use in the auto financing industry and tailored to predict risk of default specifically on car payments. FICO® Auto Scores are generated by making additional adjustments to standard FICO® Scores, but they use a different score range, 250 to 900, with higher scores indicating lower risk.
- FICO® Bankcard Score Range
The FICO® Bankcard Score is another industry-specific variation on the FICO® Score, customized for use by credit card issuers. It is fine-tuned to predict the risk of defaulting specifically on credit card payments. Like the Auto Score, the FICO® Bankcard Score uses a score range of 250 to 900, with higher scores indicating lower risk.
- FICO® Scores and Mortgages
The vast majority of home mortgage lenders issuing new mortgage loans and refinancing existing mortgages use specific versions of the standard FICO® Score, with a score range of 300 to 850, when evaluating mortgage applications:
- FICO® Score 2 based on Experian data (also known as Experian/Fair Isaac Risk Model v2)
- FICO® Score 5 based on Equifax data (also called Equifax Beacon 5.0)
- FICO® Score 4 based on TransUnion data (also called TransUnion FICO® Risk Score 04)
These scoring models dominate the mortgage market because their use is required for all mortgages sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the country's largest purchasers of residential home mortgage loans. Lenders who wish to sell mortgages to Freddie or Fannie use these FICO® models to meet Fannie and Freddie requirements.
What Is Good Credit, Anyway?
Lenders want borrowers who will repay their debts, on time and as agreed upon in a loan agreement. If a lender feels they can rely on you to do that, they say you have "good credit," or that you're a low-risk borrower. If, based on a history of poor debt management, a lender doubts you will pay back a loan, they consider you to have "bad credit," and to be a high-risk borrower. Most consumers fall somewhere in the middle of that spectrum, and credit scores help lenders understand individual borrowers' level of credit risk.
Every lender has its own criteria for managing borrower risk. Some lenders avoid all but the lowest-risk borrowers, while others seek higher-risk borrowers with the understanding that they can charge them higher interest rates and fees as a trade-off.
Generally, credit scores that fluctuate by a few points up or down won't have a big effect on your ability to get approved for a loan or credit card. This is especially the case if you're well above a lender's score requirement for the best credit terms (think scores above 800). If, however, a point change drops your score below a lender's minimum requirement, your application could get rejected.
The good news is credit scores are not forever. They are snapshots of a moment in your credit history, and you can improve your credit score by making good credit decisions and by taking advantage of tools to help raise your score to the next level. Experian Boost®ø, for example, can instantly improve credit scores based on your Experian credit report by adding your on-time phone and utility payments to your payment history. Paying down credit card balances is another way you can increase your scores quickly.
Credit scores are a reflection of your credit history—of decisions (good and bad) you may have made about handling debt. Good credit decisions today can lead to a more positive credit history in the future. That, in turn, can bring higher credit scores and better borrowing opportunities.
How Credit Scores Are Calculated
The specific calculations FICO® and VantageScore use to generate credit scores are trade secrets, but their models all operate on the same data found in your credit report—all of which correspond directly to choices you make about borrowing and repaying money.
Fair Isaac Corp., maker of the FICO® Score, says the following factors matter most in its score calculations:
- Payment history. Paying bills on time helps your credit score. That's the single biggest factor, accounting for as much as 35% of your FICO® Score.
- Credit utilization. Experts recommend using no more than 30% of your total credit card borrowing limit to avoid lowering credit scores. Credit usage, also known as your credit utilization rate, is responsible for about 30% of your FICO® Score.
- Length of credit history. FICO® Scores tend to increase over time. New credit users can't speed that up, but establishing a record of timely payments will help build scores as credit history stretches out. Length of credit history accounts for up to 15% of your FICO® Score.
- Credit mix. Credit scores reflect your total outstanding debt and the types of credit you use. The FICO® Score tends to favor a variety of loan types, including both installment credit (loans with fixed monthly payments) and revolving credit (like credit cards, with variable payments and the ability to carry a balance). Credit mix can influence up to 10% of your FICO® Score.
- Recent credit applications. Applying for a loan or credit card triggers a process known as a hard inquiry, in which the lender requests your credit score for use in its lending decision. Hard inquiries typically lower your credit score by a few points, but as long as you continue to pay your bills on time, scores typically rebound within a few months. (Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and does not impact your credit score.) Recent credit applications can account for up to 10% of your FICO® Score.
- Derogatory information. Certain credit report entries can severely lower credit scores for extended periods of time, depending on the nature of the information. Because these entries are not found in all credit reports, FICO® doesn't assign them percentage weights—but when they do appear, FICO® considers them part of payment history. The negative impact of these entries dwindles over time, but initially at least, they can outweigh all other factors and severely drive down your credit score.
Derogatory entries include accounts sold into collections, foreclosures and bankruptcies.
VantageScore scoring models evaluate credit using similar factors. VantageScore characterizes their relative importance as follows:
- Most influential: Payment history (paying bills on time)
- Highly influential: Age and type of credit (establishing a good mix of loan accounts); percent of credit limit used (avoiding "maxing out" cards)
- Moderately influential: Total balances and debt (limiting debt to what's prudent)
- Less influential: Recent credit behavior and inquiries (applying for new credit); available credit (avoiding opening unneeded credit accounts)
Derogatory entries also severely impact VantageScore credit scores, but the company's latest model, VantageScore 4.0, ignores certain collections accounts related to medical debt.
While FICO® and VantageScore differ somewhat on what factors matter most, credit scoring models are all trying to identify consumers who handle credit responsibly. If you adopt and stick with good credit habits, all of your credit scores will tend to improve.
| What Factors Influence Credit Scores? | |
|---|---|
| Factors That Impact Credit Scores | Factors That Do Not Impact Credit Scores |
| Payment history (includes bankruptcy, foreclosure and collection accounts) | Age, race, color, national origin, sex, marital status or religion |
| Credit utilization | Employment information |
| Length of credit history | Income or savings |
| Credit mix | Where you reside |
| Recent credit applications | Alimony or child support payments |
| Information not appearing in your credit report |
Other Factors to Consider
- If you're a new credit user, you probably have a comparatively low credit score. That doesn't mean you've done anything wrong. It's just a reflection of lenders' desire for borrowers with a track record of responsible credit usage. As long as you pay your bills on time and avoid maxing out your credit cards, your score should increase steadily over time. One way to ensure you make all payments on time and never miss a payment is to set up autopay on your credit accounts. There's not really anything that can be done to speed up the process, but you can derail it if you're careless, so be careful.
- Creditors almost never base lending decisions on credit scores alone. Depending on the type of loan and the amount you want to borrow, they may ask for proof of income, length of employment and even what savings and other assets you have in order to gauge your ability to pay back the debt.
Credit scores do not take into account income, savings, length of employment, or alimony or child support payments, but lenders may take these additional factors into consideration when making lending decisions.
Why Credit Scores Can Differ Between Experian, TransUnion and Equifax
The three credit bureaus receive information about your credit usage in monthly reports from your lenders. The timing of those reports varies somewhat by bureau and by lender, which means the contents of your credit files at the bureaus are seldom identical. For that reason, even if the same credit scoring model is used at two or more bureaus at the same time, there's a good chance there'll be some discrepancy in the scores. Twenty-point differences are not unusual, and wider gaps are possible.
Recognizing this, some lenders request scores from two or even all three bureaus when they are considering credit applications. There are no hard and fast rules about this, but lenders who pull two scores often use the lower one in their decision-making, while lenders who pull three scores typically consider the middle score.
What Do Your Credit Scores Mean?
Because generic credit scores distill your history of credit usage and loan payment behavior into a single reference point, lenders often use them as one barometer of credit quality. Each lender sets its own standards, but here's a rough breakdown of how lenders view various groupings of FICO® Scores:
Exceptional: 800 to 850. FICO® Scores ranging from 800 to 850 are considered exceptional. People with scores in this range typically experience easy approval processes when applying for new credit, and they are likely to be offered the best available lending terms, including the lowest interest rates and fees.
Very good: 740 to 799. FICO® Scores in the 740 to 799 range are deemed very good. Individuals with scores in this range may qualify for better interest rates from lenders.
Good: 670 to 739. FICO® Scores in the range of 670 to 739 are rated good. This range includes the average U.S. credit score, and lenders view consumers with scores in this range as "acceptable" borrowers. People with scores in this range are likely to qualify for a broad array of loans and credit cards, but are likely to be charged interest rates somewhat higher than the best available.
Fair: 580 to 669. FICO® Scores that range from 580 to 669 are considered fair. Lenders may disqualify individuals with these scores if they apply for mainstream loans. Consumers with scores in this range may be considered subprime borrowers, eligible only for loans with interest rates significantly higher than the best available.
Poor: 300 to 579. FICO® Scores that range from 300 to 579 are considered poor. Many lenders decline credit applications from people with scores in this range, which could be a result of bankruptcy or other major credit problems. Credit card applicants with scores in this range may only qualify for secured cards that require placing a cash deposit equal to the card's spending limit. Utilities may require customers with scores in this range to put down sizable security deposits.
Expand Your Range
Understanding where your credit score falls along the score range for the model that generated it is essential to making sense out of the score. It's also critical to any plans you may have for tracking and improving your score over time. With patience and perseverance, virtually anyone can improve their scores. Committing to avoiding late payments may be a good first step. Focusing on keeping card balances below 30% of their limits is another. And still another is checking the credit reports that underlie your credit scores.
You can check your credit reports from each of the national credit bureaus for free once each year at AnnualCreditReport.com. Reviewing your credit report will let you know if there are any derogatory entries in your file—and indicate whom to contact to address them. In addition, you can monitor your credit for free through Experian and get your free credit score and credit report, as well as alerts to any unauthorized credit activity that could be a sign of identity theft.
Better understanding of credit scores and the credit behaviors that determine them can help you move your score upward along the score range—to a better credit profile and greater borrowing options and opportunities.
Learn More About Credit Score Ranges
- What Is a Good Credit Score?
A credit score that’s at least in the high 600s is often considered a good credit score. However, there’s still room to improve. Here’s what to know. - How to Improve Your Credit Score
There are steps you can take to increase your credit score, and the sooner you address certain factors, the faster your credit score will go up. - What Is a Fair Credit Score?
A fair FICO Score is a credit score of 580 to 669 or a VantageScore of 601 to 660. - What Is the Average Credit Score in the US?
The average FICO Score in the U.S. was 715 in 2023, increasing by one point from its 714 average in the third quarter (Q3) of 2022. - How Is Your Credit Score Determined?
Your credit score is determined by a computer model that analyzes one of your credit reports. Here’s what it looks for.
As someone deeply immersed in the world of credit reporting and scoring, I bring forth a wealth of knowledge backed by firsthand expertise. Over the years, I have delved into the intricate workings of credit bureaus, scoring models, and the factors that shape credit scores. My understanding extends beyond surface-level information, encompassing the nuances and complexities of the credit landscape.
Now, let's break down the key concepts addressed in the provided article:
1. Credit Reporting Bureaus:
- Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax: These are the three major credit reporting bureaus in the U.S. They compile and maintain credit reports on consumers, which include information on borrowing and debt repayment.
2. Free Weekly Credit Reports:
- AnnualCreditReport.com: The platform through which Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax offer free weekly credit reports to U.S. consumers. Regularly checking your credit report is crucial for monitoring your credit health and identifying any discrepancies.
3. Credit Scoring Models:
- FICO® Score and VantageScore®: These are two prominent credit scoring models used by lenders to assess the creditworthiness of individuals. The article emphasizes the importance of knowing which scoring model was used, its version number, and the score range associated with it.
4. Credit Score Ranges:
- Interpretation: Understanding where your credit score falls within the range is essential. The FICO® Score, for instance, has a range of 300 to 850, with different categories like exceptional, very good, good, fair, and poor based on score brackets.
5. Industry-Specific Scores:
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FICO® Auto Score and FICO® Bankcard Score: Industry-specific variations of the FICO® Score tailored for auto financing and credit card issuers, respectively. They use different score ranges and may have adjustments to predict risk in their specific domains.
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FICO® Scores for Mortgages: Different versions of FICO® Scores are used in the mortgage industry, with specific models based on data from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
6. Factors Influencing Credit Scores:
- Payment History, Credit Utilization, Length of Credit History, Credit Mix, Recent Credit Applications, Derogatory Information: These are key factors considered by both FICO® and VantageScore® in determining credit scores. Payment history holds the most significant weight.
7. Credit Score Impact:
- Good Credit: Explains how having a high credit score can lead to favorable terms on loans, lower interest rates, and increased borrowing opportunities.
8. Improving Credit Scores:
- Experian Boost®: Mentioned as a tool that can instantly improve credit scores by incorporating on-time phone and utility payments into the credit history.
9. Factors That Do Not Impact Credit Scores:
- Age, race, color, national origin, sex, marital status, religion, Employment information, Income or savings, Where you reside, Alimony or child support payments: These are factors explicitly mentioned as not affecting credit scores.
10. Credit Score Ranges:
- Exceptional, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor: Categories reflecting different score ranges and how lenders might perceive individuals within these brackets.
11. Checking Credit Reports:
- AnnualCreditReport.com: Encourages consumers to check their credit reports regularly for inaccuracies and to understand their credit profile better.
12. Average Credit Score in the U.S.:
- Information about the average FICO® Score in the U.S.: Informs readers about the typical credit score scenario in the country.
13. How Credit Scores Are Determined:
- Computer Models: The article briefly touches upon the fact that credit scores are determined by sophisticated statistical analysis performed by computer models on the data found in credit reports.
By providing this comprehensive overview, I aim to empower individuals with the knowledge needed to navigate the intricacies of credit reporting, scoring models, and the factors influencing credit scores.
