You can get your credit score free from several sources, though the score you receive depends on which company provides it and which scoring model they use

The three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — are required by federal law to give you a free copy of your credit report once per year through AnnualCreditReport.com. That report shows your payment history and account details, but it does not include your credit score itself. To see an actual score, you have other options that cost nothing.

Many banks and credit card companies now show your score free in your online account or mobile app, even if you do not have a credit card with them. Credit monitoring websites like Credit Karma, NerdWallet, and Discover also display scores at no cost. These free scores are usually accurate enough for your own planning, though they may differ slightly from the score a lender sees when you apply for a loan or credit card.

Key Takeaways

  • Your free annual credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com shows your history but not your score; you need a separate source for the actual number.
  • Your bank or credit card issuer often displays your score free in your online account, updated monthly or more often.
  • Free credit monitoring sites like Credit Karma and NerdWallet show scores based on VantageScore or Equifax models, which may differ from the score a mortgage or auto lender uses.
  • Lenders typically use FICO scores, which you can see free through some credit card issuers, Discover's free service, or by paying a small fee directly to FICO.

How to get your free credit report (separate from your score)

Visit AnnualCreditReport.com, the only official site authorized by the Federal Trade Commission to distribute free annual reports. You can order online, by phone at 1-877-322-8228, or by mail. You will need to provide your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. The site will ask which bureau's report you want — you can request all three at once or stagger them throughout the year.

The report arrives within 15 days and shows every account in your name, payment history for the past seven years, and any collections or public records. It does not show a score. Read it carefully for errors: if an account is listed that is not yours, or if a payment is marked late when you paid on time, you can dispute it directly with the bureau. Errors on your report can lower your score, so correcting them matters.

Free scores from your bank or credit card company

Most major banks and credit card issuers now display your credit score free in their online banking portal or app. Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Discover, American Express, and Capital One all offer this. You do not need to have a credit card or loan with them to see the score — some banks show it to all customers, even those with only a checking account.

Log into your online account and look for a section labeled "Credit Score," "Credit Health," or "Financial Insights." The score updates monthly or sometimes more often. The model varies by bank: some show FICO scores (which lenders use), while others show VantageScore (which is less common in lending decisions but still useful for tracking your own progress). Check your bank's website or call to confirm which model they use.

Free credit monitoring websites

Credit Karma, NerdWallet, and similar sites display your credit score free and update it regularly. These sites typically use VantageScore 3.0, a scoring model that is similar to FICO but not identical. Your VantageScore and FICO score can differ by 50 points or more, so do not be alarmed if they do not match.

To use these sites, create an account with your name, address, date of birth, and Social Security number. They pull your information from the credit bureaus and show your score within minutes. Most also offer free credit monitoring alerts, which notify you when new accounts open in your name or when your report changes. These sites make money from ads and referrals, not from you, so the score itself is genuinely free.

Where to find FICO scores free

FICO is the scoring model most lenders use when you apply for a mortgage, auto loan, or credit card. Your FICO score is often different from your VantageScore, and it is the one that matters most for lending decisions. Several sources now show it free.

Discover offers free FICO scores to anyone, even if you do not have a Discover card. Visit Discover.com/creditscorecard and enter your information. Experian also provides a free FICO score through its website. Some credit card issuers, including Discover, American Express, and Capital One, display your FICO score in your account. Call your bank or log in to check what they offer. If your bank does not show FICO scores, you can order one directly from FICO at myfico.com for a small fee, usually around $20.

Why your scores might differ across sources

You may see three different credit scores depending on where you look. This happens because scoring models are different, and because each bureau may have slightly different information about you. FICO has multiple versions — FICO 8, FICO 9, FICO 10 — and different lenders use different versions. VantageScore is a separate model entirely.

Your Equifax FICO score may differ from your TransUnion FICO score because one bureau might have an account that the other does not yet know about. A recent payment might show on one bureau's report before it reaches the others. These differences are normal and usually small. For your own planning, any free score gives you a useful picture of where you stand. For a specific lending decision, the lender will pull their own score and that is the one that counts.

What to do if you spot errors on your report or score

If you see an account on your credit report that is not yours, or a payment marked late when you paid on time, dispute it with the bureau. Visit the bureau's website — Equifax.com, Experian.com, or TransUnion.com — and look for a "Dispute" or "File a Dispute" link. You can also dispute by mail or phone. The bureau must investigate within 30 days and remove the error if it cannot verify it.

If your score seems wrong but you cannot find a specific error, check your report for accounts you forgot about, recent late payments, or high credit card balances. These are the main drivers of score changes. If you find an error on your report, fixing it can take weeks or months, so start the dispute process as soon as you notice it. Keep copies of everything you send and follow up if you do not hear back within 30 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does checking my own credit score hurt my score?

No. Checking your own score is a "soft inquiry" and does not lower your score. Only hard inquiries — when a lender pulls your report because you applied for credit — can affect your score. You can check your score as often as you want without penalty.

Why is my credit score different on different websites?

Different websites use different scoring models. Credit Karma uses VantageScore, while your bank might show FICO. Lenders also use different versions of FICO. A 50-point difference between sites is normal. The FICO score matters most for lending decisions, so focus on that one if you are planning to apply for a loan or credit card.

Can I get my credit score before my free annual report is ready?

Yes. Your annual report and your score are separate. You can get your free report once per year from AnnualCreditReport.com, but you can see your score free anytime through your bank, Credit Karma, or Discover. You do not have to wait for your annual report to see where you stand.

What if I do not have a bank account or credit card?

You can still see your credit score free through Credit Karma, NerdWallet, or Experian's free service. You do not need to be a customer of any bank or card company. Create an account with your name and Social Security number, and you will see your score within minutes.

How often should I check my credit score?

Checking monthly is reasonable if you are working to improve your score or planning to apply for credit soon. If your score is stable and you are not applying for loans, checking once or twice a year is enough. More frequent checking will not change your score and is not necessary.