If you’ve ever checked your credit scores from different websites or lenders, you might have noticed they don’t all match. One source may say your score is 715, while another shows 680. These differences can be confusing, but they are common, and they usually make sense once you understand how the credit system works.
A credit score is a three-digit number that tells lenders how likely you are to repay money you borrow. Most credit scores fall between 300 and 850. The higher your score, the better your chances of qualifying for loans, credit cards, or housing.
Your credit score is based on your credit history, including how much you owe, how often you pay your bills on time, and how long you’ve had credit. Lenders use this score to make important lending decisions, such as approving a loan or setting your interest rate.
Learn What is a Credit Score and How Is It Calculated? from Credit.org.
There are three main credit bureaus in the United States: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. These agencies collect information about your credit accounts, balances, and payment history. However, not all creditors report to all three bureaus. This means each credit bureau may have slightly different data about you.
As a result, your credit score can differ depending on which bureau’s data is being used. For example, your Experian credit score may be based on newer or more complete information than your TransUnion report.
A credit reporting agency (CRA) is a company that gathers, stores, and sells credit data. Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion are the most well-known CRAs. Lenders, landlords, and even some employers use information from these agencies to make decisions. While many people think of the credit bureaus as the source of their score, the agencies themselves do not calculate scores; they simply collect the data that scoring models use.
Your credit report includes all the information a bureau has collected about your borrowing habits. This includes loans, credit card accounts, payment history, hard inquiries, and public records such as bankruptcies or liens. Your credit history is the story that all of this data tells over time.
If one bureau receives information about a new account or a missed payment and another does not, your credit history will appear different, and that leads to score variations.
-min.webp)
Credit scores are calculated using scoring models. The two most common are FICO and VantageScore. Each model has multiple versions and may weigh factors differently. For example, FICO 8 is widely used for credit card decisions, while mortgage lenders might rely on older versions like FICO 2.
Some models are more sensitive to recent credit behavior, while others focus more on long-term trends. These differences are why your score may vary even if the same credit report is used.
You can learn more about different scoring models at MyFICO.com or ConsumerFinance.gov.
Each scoring model places consumers into ranges. For instance, one model may classify a score of 700 as “good,” while another labels it “fair.” These ranges can vary by industry or version. Understanding the range helps you interpret your score more accurately.
It’s also important to know that scoring models may use different scoring ranges. Some newer models cap out at 850, while older or specialized models might go higher or lower.
Your credit profile is made up of the accounts and data shown on your report. This includes open and closed accounts, payment status, credit limits, and account age. It’s one of the biggest factors in score calculation.
Lenders look at your credit profile to determine how likely you are to repay a loan. Even small updates, like a change in balance or the addition of a new account, can shift your score across different bureaus or models.
When you apply for credit, lenders don’t always pull your score from the same source. Some use your Experian credit score, while others rely on Equifax or TransUnion. Mortgage lenders often pull all three scores and use the middle one to decide whether to approve your loan.
This is why your credit score might be different depending on who is checking it. Even the same lender might use different scoring models for different products, like car loans versus credit cards.
Many banks and websites now offer free credit scores. These scores give a good idea of where you stand, but they may not be the exact same scores lenders use.
Some free services use VantageScore, while most lenders rely on FICO. Both are valid models, but the scores may not match perfectly. That’s why it’s important to look at more than one score and understand which scoring model is being used.
To learn more, visit this helpful guide from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau:
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/how-can-i-get-a-free-credit-score-en-316
Under federal law, you’re entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three bureaus. This right is protected by the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
During the pandemic, the bureaus began offering free weekly credit reports, and this benefit has now been extended indefinitely. To claim your free reports, go to AnnualCreditReport.com.
Also under the FCRA, you have the right to dispute any errors on your reports. If a credit bureau includes inaccurate information, you can file a dispute and request a correction. Learn more about your rights at the FTC’s updated page:
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/free-credit-reports
A hard inquiry happens when a lender checks your credit during a loan or credit card application. This type of inquiry can cause your score to dip slightly. If one credit bureau records a recent hard inquiry and another does not, your scores will differ.
Too many hard inquiries in a short time can make you look risky to lenders. If you’re shopping for a loan, try to keep your applications close together. Scoring models often treat similar inquiries within a short window as one.
If someone opens accounts in your name without permission, your credit scores can suffer. Because each bureau has different data, identity theft may show up on one report but not the others.
Always check your reports for unfamiliar accounts or addresses. If you see signs of fraud, report it immediately and consider placing a fraud alert or credit freeze. For guidance, visit Credit.org’s free course on preventing identity theft.
By far, most lenders use FICO scores, but VantageScore is growing in popularity, especially among free credit monitoring services. Both models use the same credit data, but their formulas differ.
For example, VantageScore may be more forgiving of recent account activity. FICO may focus more on your payment history. Knowing which model you’re looking at helps explain why your score may be higher or lower than expected.
If you see a big gap between your FICO score and VantageScore, don’t panic. It’s common. Focus on building good credit habits that help all scoring models.
Sometimes when you check your credit online, you’re only shown one credit score. This can lead to confusion, especially if you’ve read that lenders use different scores. So why does this happen?
Many websites that offer free credit scores provide just one version from one of the major credit bureaus. You might see your Experian credit score, for example, but not your Equifax or TransUnion scores. In these cases, you’re only seeing a portion of your full credit picture.
Some services use VantageScore credit scores, which are perfectly valid but may not match your FICO score. The VantageScore model is often used for educational purposes and free monitoring tools. Most lenders still use FICO, but both scoring models look at the same credit data to come up with slightly different results.
Understanding which credit scoring model you’re seeing is important. The scoring model determines how your credit information is analyzed, which affects your credit score ranges. A score of 670 may be considered a good credit score in one model, while another model might label it as fair.
This is why it’s helpful to check more than one source and understand how each credit score is calculated. That way, you’ll be better prepared when applying for financial products like loans, credit cards, or mortgages.
Finally, monitoring your credit health over time is just as important as knowing the number. Don’t rely on one credit score to judge your financial life; look at your full credit report and consider working with a nonprofit counselor if you need help understanding your full profile.
Here are steps you can take to improve your credit and reduce score differences:
You can also request help through a credit report review or credit counseling session with Credit.org.
