Credit score
Also known as: FICO score · VantageScore · Credit rating
A number, usually between 300 and 850, that predicts how likely a person is to repay credit on time, computed from the data in their credit reports.
Legal basis
CFPB — What is a credit score?
The CFPB defines a credit score as a prediction of credit behavior based on the information in a credit report. The two dominant model families are FICO and VantageScore, most versions ranging from 300 to 850 — and there is no single score: the number varies with the model, the bureau whose data it reads (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and the day it is pulled.
The ingredients are similar across models: payment history, amounts owed and utilization, length of history, mix of accounts, recent applications, and negative events such as collections or bankruptcy. Mortgage underwriting is shifting: for loans sold to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, lenders may now choose Classic FICO or VantageScore 4.0, which FHFA opened to all approved lenders in 2026.
The limit of a score is what it measures: past credit behavior. For someone who has never borrowed formally it has little or nothing to say — that is where a behavioral score, built from mobility, stability and ties, complements the bureau.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good credit score?
Each lender sets its own cutoffs, but on the common 300 to 850 scale, scores in the high 600s and above are generally considered good and scores above 800 excellent.
Why are my credit scores different?
Because there are many scoring models and versions, each bureau holds slightly different data, and scores are recalculated whenever the report changes. A lender may also use an industry-specific score, such as an auto or card score.
How do I raise my credit score?
Pay every bill on time, keep card balances low relative to limits, avoid opening many accounts in a short period and dispute any errors on your reports. The effect builds over months.