You can get your credit score free from your bank, credit card company, or the three major credit bureaus
Your bank or credit card issuer almost certainly shows your score in your online account or mobile app — no separate request needed. If you log in and do not see it, call the customer service number on the back of your card and ask whether they provide free score monitoring. Most major banks and card companies added this feature in the last five years.
If your bank does not offer it, you can get your score free directly from Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion — the three credit reporting agencies that collect your payment history and create your credit report. Each one lets you check your score at no cost through their own websites. You can also visit AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official government site where you can request your credit report from all three bureaus once per year.
A third option is free credit monitoring services like Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, or Discover's Credit Scorecard. These show your score updated regularly and cost nothing because they make money from lenders who use their data. The score they show is real — it comes from one of the three bureaus — but it may not be the exact score a lender sees when you apply for a loan or credit card.
Key Takeaways
- Your bank or credit card company likely shows your free credit score in your online account or app without you having to ask.
- Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each offer free score checks on their own websites.
- Free third-party services like Credit Karma show real scores from the bureaus but may differ slightly from the score a lender actually uses.
- The score you see may vary depending on which bureau provides it and which scoring model is used, so checking multiple sources is normal.
Why your score might differ across sources
Credit scores are not one number. The three bureaus collect slightly different information about you, so each one calculates a different score. A lender might pull your score from Equifax, while a credit card company pulls from Experian. Both scores are real and based on your actual payment history, but they will not be identical.
There are also different scoring models. The most common is FICO, but VantageScore is another widely used model. Your FICO score from Equifax will differ from your VantageScore from the same bureau. When you check your score through your bank, you might see one model; when you check through Credit Karma, you might see another. This is normal and does not mean one is wrong.
The score also updates on different schedules. Your bank might update yours monthly, while a free service updates weekly. If you check on different days, you may see different numbers simply because your recent payments have not yet been reported to all three bureaus.
What information you need to check your score
To check your score through a bureau's website or a free service, you will need to verify your identity. This usually means providing your Social Security number, date of birth, and current address. Some services also ask for a phone number or email.
If you are checking through your bank or credit card company, you already have an account, so you just log in the way you normally do. No additional information is required.
How often you should check your score
There is no harm in checking your score as often as you want — checking does not lower it. Many people check once a month to track progress, especially if they are paying down debt or working to improve their score after a missed payment.
At minimum, check your score once a year before you plan to apply for a loan or credit card. This gives you time to spot errors on your credit report and request corrections before a lender sees them. You can also check your full credit report (not just your score) free once per year at AnnualCreditReport.com.
The difference between your score and your credit report
Your credit score is a three-digit number calculated from the information in your credit report. Your credit report is the actual record — it lists every account you have, your payment history, how much you owe, and any negative marks like late payments or collections.
When you check your score, you see only the number. When you check your report, you see the details behind it. You can have a good score but still have errors on your report that could hurt you later. That is why checking your full report once a year matters, even if you check your score more often.
What to do if you spot an error on your report
If you see something wrong — a late payment you know you made on time, an account that is not yours, or a balance that is incorrect — you can dispute it with the bureau that reported it. You do not need to pay anyone to do this. Contact the bureau directly through their website or by mail and explain what is wrong. Include copies of any proof you have, like a bank statement or payment confirmation.
The bureau has 30 days to investigate. If they find the information is wrong, they will correct it and send you an updated report. If the error is on your credit report, your score may improve once it is fixed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does checking my credit score lower it?
No. Checking your own score is a "soft inquiry" and does not affect your score at all. Only when a lender or creditor pulls your score in response to a loan or credit card application does it count as a "hard inquiry," and even then the impact is usually small and temporary.
Which credit score matters most?
It depends on the lender. Most mortgage lenders use FICO scores, while some credit card companies use VantageScore. When you apply for credit, the lender tells you which score they used. For now, focus on keeping all your scores in a healthy range by paying bills on time and keeping credit card balances low.
Why is my score different on my bank's app than on Credit Karma?
Your bank likely shows a FICO score from one bureau, while Credit Karma shows a VantageScore from a different bureau. Both are real scores based on your actual credit history, but they use different formulas. Differences of 20 to 50 points between sources are normal.
Can I get my credit score if I have no credit history?
If you have never had a credit account, you do not have a credit score yet. You can build one by opening a credit card, becoming an authorized user on someone else's account, or taking out a small loan. Once you have at least one account with payment history, the bureaus will calculate a score for you.