Why is my credit score different on different sites?

You may be surprised to learn you have more than one credit score — and they don’t all match. The good news is that it's completely normal. The UK’s three main credit reference agencies (CRAs) each calculate your score a bit differently. No single score is the ‘right’ one, but it helps to understand how and why they vary.

This guide explains the main reasons why your scores are different and what lenders actually look at when making decisions.

Check your credit score with Experian now. It’s the UK’s most trusted score and helps you understand how lenders may see you. It’s completely free and you can check it as often as you like – it won’t harm it.

Why do I have three different credit scores?

There are three main credit reference agencies (CRAs) in the UK that calculate your credit score, including Experian. Each CRA has their own way of working out your score, meaning they don’t usually all end up with the same number.

Why do credit reference agencies calculate my score?

Credit reference agencies (CRAs) gather the information that makes up your credit report — things like loan payments, mortgage applications and credit card balances. Lenders check this information when deciding whether to approve you for credit. So, by using this data to calculate your credit score, CRAs can give you an idea of how lenders see you.

Why is my credit score different on Experian, ClearScore and Credit Karma?

Experian, ClearScore and Credit Karma get their credit scores from different credit reference agencies (CRAs). ClearScore gets your score from Equifax and Credit Karma gets your score from TransUnion. They use different data and methods to work out your score, meaning it won’t look the same as your Experian Credit Score. We’ve covered the differences between each CRA’s score in more detail below.

Should I be worried if my credit scores are different?

No. These differences are normal and not usually something to worry about. Scores vary because different credit reference agencies use different data, models and ranges.

If your credit scores are wildly different – for example, one credit agency rates your score as poor, while the others rate it as excellent – then that’s worth investigating. Check your credit report for any mistakes or signs of fraud.

If you suspect you have been a victim of identity fraud, you should contact your bank as soon as you can to make sure that your accounts are safe. You should also report your case to Action Fraud, who will advise you on further steps you may need to take. For more information, refer to our guide on what to do if you’re a victim of ID fraud.

If you think there is a mistake on your credit report you should contact the credit reference agency that provided the report straight away. If you think there may be a mistake on your Experian Credit Report, contact us so we can investigate.

It's often worth checking your credit report with each agency to ensure all the information they have about you is accurate.

Should I be worried if my score changes?

Small changes to your credit score over time are not unusual. A small change in your score is unlikely to impact you, or how likely you are to be approved for credit. If you check your credit score and it’s shifted slightly since you last checked on that site, then this should not be cause for concern.

If you check the same site and notice a big drop in your credit score, there are many possible reasons why this might have happened. In this case, it may be worth understanding why your score has changed, and trying to improve your score again.

Why is my Experian Credit Score different?

Different credit reference agencies (CRAs) use different data and methods to calculate your credit score. This is why your Experian Credit Score may be different from other CRA’s. If you’re wondering why your Experian Credit Score has changed, there are many things that could impact it. Find out more using our guide to improving your credit score, or reasons why your credit score might have dropped.

Reasons why your credit score is different on different sites

You have more than one credit score — and they can look quite different. For example, one site might show 439 while another shows 721! But don’t worry, it doesn’t mean something’s wrong. Each company calculates your score in their own way, often using different data, methods and ranges. Below, we explain the main reasons why your score is different depending on who worked it out.

Different credit data

CRAs typically get their information from lenders and public records, but not every lender reports to all three CRAs. On top of that, updates don’t always happen at the same time. One CRA might show a new payment or balance before another. That’s why your Experian Report may not look like your Equifax or TransUnion report, and why your different credit scores won’t always match.

Different calculations

Even when CRAs have the same information, they may treat it differently when calculating your score. For example, some may give more weight to recent missed payments. Others may give more weight to your credit utilisation, which is how much of your available credit you’re using.

Different score ranges

Not all credit reference agencies use the same scale for the credit scores they provide. Experian rates your creditworthiness on a scale of 0 to 999, while ClearScore uses 0 to 1000 and Credit Karma uses 0 to 710. This can make the numbers look quite different, even if they reflect a similar level of creditworthiness.

Does everyone start with the same credit score?

No, credit scores don’t all start the same. CRAs begin calculating your score once you start building a credit history. For example, this might be when you first open a bank account, get a mobile phone contract or apply for an energy tariff. Your score starts at a number that reflects this early information.

How does Experian calculate my credit score?

Understanding what affects your score can help you build a good credit history and avoid doing things that harm it. Your Experian Credit Score is based on the information in your Experian Credit Report, including:

• Your payment history. Like whether you always pay accounts on time, or have late payments or defaults.
• How much you owe. If you’re always close to your credit limit, lenders may think you’re in financial difficulty.
• How often you apply for credit. Too many applications in a short space of time can lower your score.

Which credit score do lenders use?

Lenders can choose to check your credit data with any — or all — of the UK's three credit reference agencies (CRAs). If a lender turns you down after doing a credit check, you can ask them which CRA they used and they must tell you.

Remember, lenders often take other data into account as well, like your application details, your income, and their own records if you’ve been a customer before. It’s always the lender who makes the decision whether to approve or reject you — Experian never makes lending decisions.

What is the most accurate credit score site?

The Experian Credit Score is the UK’s most trusted, with more than 14 million people using it. But there isn’t a single ‘most accurate’ score. That’s because each lender scores you in their own way when you apply for credit. Lenders can use data from different CRAs and their own records. What your Experian Credit Score does is give you a good idea of how different lenders may view you.

If my credit scores are different, how do I know if I’ll be approved for credit?

Credit scores show you how lenders are likely to view any applications you make. But, because there’s no single ‘right’ score, you may be looking for a surer sign that you’ll be approved for credit if you apply. That’s where checking your eligibility can help.

When you search for personal loans or credit cards with Experian, we calculate your chances of approval using your unique data and the lender’s criteria. A higher eligibility rating means you’re more likely to be approved. If you see a pre-approved label, it means you should be accepted at the rate shown. Though rejection is unlikely, approval isn’t guaranteed, as the lender will only do a full credit check when you apply.

Just remember, we're a credit broker, not a lender†. This means we can help you find deals, but we don't provide credit or decide whether to approve you.