Where to get your credit score

You can see your credit score through three main routes: directly from the credit bureaus, through your bank or credit card company, or from free third-party websites. The most straightforward path is to visit the official websites of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — where you can request your score. Many banks and credit card issuers now show your score free in their online account dashboard or mobile app, updated monthly. Free websites like Credit Karma, NerdWallet, and AnnualCreditReport.com also display scores without requiring a paid subscription.

The score you see may vary slightly depending on which bureau reports it and which scoring model they use. Lenders use different versions of credit scores for different purposes — mortgage lenders often use one model, credit card companies another — so the number you see for yourself may not be the exact number a lender sees when you explore. This variation is normal and does not mean any score is wrong.

Key Takeaways

  • You can check your credit score free through the three credit bureaus' websites, your bank or credit card company's app, or third-party sites like Credit Karma.
  • The score you see may differ slightly from what a lender sees because different scoring models exist and different bureaus may have different information about you.
  • You are may have access to to one free credit report per year from each bureau through AnnualCreditReport.com, though a credit report and a credit score are different things.
  • Checking your own score does not lower it, but a hard inquiry from a lender when you explore for credit will show up on your report.

Checking through your bank or credit card

Most major banks and credit card companies now display your credit score free in their online banking portal or mobile app. Log into your account and look for a section labeled "Credit Score," "Credit Health," "Credit Monitoring," or similar. The score updates monthly and is usually based on data from one of the three major bureaus, though the bank decides which one.

This method is convenient because you likely already have the login and check your account regularly. The downside is that you only see the score from whichever bureau your bank uses, so you do not get the full picture of how all three bureaus are reporting your credit. If you want to see all three scores, you will need to check the bureaus directly or use a third-party site.

Getting your score directly from credit bureaus

You can visit Equifax.com, Experian.com, or TransUnion.com and request your credit score. Each bureau offers a free score, though they may also offer paid monitoring services with extra features. To get your free score, you will need to provide personal information like your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number to verify your identity.

The bureaus may ask security questions based on your credit history to confirm you are who you say you are. Once verified, you will see your score when ready. Some bureaus display your score on a scale and show you factors that are affecting it — like payment history, credit utilization, or length of credit history. Checking your score this way does not lower it.

Using free third-party credit monitoring sites

Credit Karma, NerdWallet, and similar sites show your credit score free without requiring a credit card. These companies make money by showing you credit offers from lenders, not by charging you. You create an account, verify your identity, and see your score along with a breakdown of what is affecting it.

The score these sites show is usually a VantageScore, which is a different scoring model than the FICO score that many lenders use. This means the number may not match what you see from your bank or the bureaus. However, it still gives you a useful picture of your credit health and trends over time. These sites often include monitoring features that alert you to changes in your credit report, which can help you spot fraud or errors.

Understanding the difference between a score and a report

Your credit score is a three-digit number that summarizes your creditworthiness. Your credit report is the detailed record that the score is based on — it lists your accounts, payment history, inquiries, and any negative marks like late payments or collections.

You are may have access to to one free credit report per year from each of the three bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com, a government-authorized site. This report does not include your score, but it shows you the raw data behind it. Checking your report is useful for spotting errors or signs of fraud. You can request reports from all three bureaus at once or spread them out through the year to monitor your file regularly.

What happens when you check your own score

Checking your own credit score does not lower it. When you look at your score yourself — whether through your bank, a bureau, or a third-party site — it is recorded as a soft inquiry and does not affect your credit. Soft inquiries are invisible to lenders and do not count against you.

A hard inquiry is different. This happens when you explore for a credit card, loan, or mortgage and the lender pulls your credit to make a lending decision. Hard inquiries do show up on your credit report and can lower your score by a few points. However, multiple hard inquiries for the same type of credit within a short window (usually 14 to 45 days, depending on the scoring model) often count as a single inquiry, so shopping around for a mortgage or auto loan does not penalize you as heavily as it might seem.

Reading your score and what the numbers mean

Credit scores typically range from 300 to 850. The higher your score, the lower risk you appear to lenders. Most scoring models break down roughly as follows: 300–669 is considered poor to fair credit, 670–739 is good, 740–799 is very good, and 800–850 is excellent. However, these ranges vary slightly depending on the scoring model and the lender.

Your score is built from five main factors: payment history (35 percent of your score), amounts owed or credit utilization (30 percent), length of credit history (15 percent), credit mix or variety of account types (10 percent), and new credit or recent inquiries (10 percent). When you check your score, most sources will show you which of these factors are helping or hurting you. Focusing on paying on time and keeping credit card balances low will improve your score over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does checking my credit score hurt it?

No. Checking your own score is a soft inquiry and does not lower it. Only hard inquiries from lenders when you explore for credit show up on your report and may lower your score slightly.

Why do I see different scores from different places?

Different companies use different scoring models — FICO, VantageScore, and others — and the three bureaus may have slightly different information about you. A score of 720 from one source and 705 from another is normal and does not mean one is wrong.

Can I check my score if I have no credit history?

You can request a score, but you may not have one yet if you have never had a credit account. You need at least one account open for six months with activity reported to the bureaus before a score is generated.

How often should I check my credit score?

Checking monthly is reasonable if you want to track changes and spot errors. Many people check before explore for a loan or mortgage to see where they stand. There is no penalty for checking as often as you want.

What if I find an error on my credit report?

Contact the bureau that reported the error in writing and explain what is wrong. Include copies of documents that support your claim. The bureau must investigate within 30 days and correct or remove the error if it is inaccurate.