We explain how credit reference agencies work out your credit score and report.

Your credit score is now out of 1,000. Here's what that means for you

Since we launched in 2015, we've measured your score out of 700. Now, we've brought our scale in line with Equifax's score out of 1,000, to give you a more detailed picture of your credit history. Experian has also updated its credit score range from 0-999 to 0-1,250 as of November 2025, so you may see different score ranges depending on which credit reference agency you check.

Your credit score is a number that represents your credit history. It gives you an idea of how lenders view your past relationship with credit. A higher score can indicate lower risk, but lenders consider a range of information and do not base decisions on score alone.

Credit reference agencies use your credit history to work out your credit score and compile your credit report. There are three in the UK: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.

We're not a credit reference agency, but we do give you your credit score and report for free using data from Equifax.

What is a good credit score in the UK?

There is no single definition of a "good" credit score because each of the three UK credit reference agencies uses its own scale. A score of 500, for example, falls into a different band depending on whether you're looking at Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion. The table below shows the approximate score bands for each agency so you can see where your number sits.

So what is a good credit score out of 1,000? On the Equifax scale - which is the one ClearScore uses - a score of 671 or above is generally considered good, while anything above 810 falls into the excellent band. A 1000 credit score is the highest possible on the Equifax scale and reflects an outstanding credit history.

If you've searched for a specific number such as a 250 credit score, a 500 score, a 533 credit score, or a 900 credit score, the band it falls into depends entirely on which agency's scale you're using. For instance, a score of 583 would be considered fair on the Equifax scale but could map differently on Experian or TransUnion.

Your score may also differ between agencies because each one collects slightly different data from lenders, and each applies its own calculation method. It's perfectly normal to see a higher score with one agency and a lower score with another - this doesn't mean one is wrong. What matters is the overall trend and whether the information on your report is accurate.

Credit score vs credit report: what's the difference?

Your credit score and your credit report are closely related, but they serve different purposes. Understanding the distinction can help you take more meaningful steps to manage your financial health.

Your credit score is a single number that summarises your creditworthiness at a glance. It's calculated by a credit reference agency using the information held on your file, and it gives you a quick indication of how lenders might view you. On ClearScore, your score is provided by Equifax on a scale of 0 to 1,000.

Your credit report, on the other hand, is the detailed record that sits behind that number. It includes information such as your open and closed accounts, payment history, outstanding balances, any county court judgements (CCJs), and the electoral roll status linked to your address. It's this underlying data that lenders actually examine when deciding whether to offer you credit.

Because the score is derived from the report, a change in your report - such as a missed payment being recorded or an old debt dropping off - will eventually be reflected in your score. That's why it's worth reviewing your full credit report regularly, not just glancing at the headline number. Spotting an error on your report and getting it corrected could lead to a score improvement, whereas focusing on the score alone might leave the root cause unaddressed.

How your credit score and report are worked out

Credit reference agencies look at a range of factors to work out your credit score. These may include the following, though each agency weighs them differently.

• Payment history

  A lender's top priority is making sure you repay your debt on time. The best way for them to predict this is by looking at how you've handled credit in the past. Late or missed payments can stay on your credit report for up to six years, so even a single missed payment could affect your score for some time.

  One of the most effective ways to build a good payment history is by consistently making repayments on time. Where someone already uses credit, repaying it on time demonstrates that they can be trusted to repay what they borrow.

  It's a common misconception that having no credit cards or loans will protect your credit score, but that's not the case. Without any credit history, a lender has very little evidence to judge whether they can trust you to manage repayments. This is sometimes called having a "thin file," and it can make it harder to be approved for credit.

• Used credit vs available credit

  Lenders also look at how much of your available credit you're using. This is known as your credit utilisation ratio, and it is expressed as a percentage of your total credit limit. For example, if you have a credit card with a limit of £500 and your balance is £250, you're using 50% of your available credit.

  Generally, lower credit utilisation may be viewed more favourably by lenders. A figure of around 30% of available credit is often cited as a reference point, although there is no single threshold that all lenders apply, and how utilisation is assessed varies by lender and individual circumstances.

• Length of your credit history

  The longer you've been using credit, the more information a lender has to assess how creditworthy you are. If you've held a credit account for a while and made all of your payments in full and on time, you may see your credit score rise over time.

  This is one reason it can sometimes be worth keeping older credit accounts open, even if you don't use them regularly. Closing a long-standing account could shorten the average age of your credit history and reduce your total available credit, both of which may affect your score.

• Hard credit searches

  Applying for new credit or requesting an increase to your credit limit could have a negative effect on your credit score, but there are some exceptions.

  Soft searches may appear on your credit report, but are visible only to you and do not affect your credit score. Where hard searches are used, some lenders may group multiple applications made within a short period, but practices vary, and several applications made close together may be viewed as higher risk by some lenders.

  A hard credit search could affect your score even if you decide not to go ahead with the card or loan. Hard searches typically stay on your report for up to 12 months.

  The following things are usually done using soft credit searches, which are visible only to you and do not affect your credit score:

  However, in some cases providers or employers may use hard searches instead, so it's worth checking before you apply.

  • Personal credit checks (such as checking your own score on ClearScore)

  • Many pre-approved credit offers

  • Some insurance applications

  • Some account reviews by current creditors

  • Some employment checks

• Types of credit you use

  Using different types of credit can be one of many factors in your credit score. For example, revolving credit (such as credit cards) and instalment loans (such as mortgages and personal loans) each demonstrate different aspects of how you manage borrowing. That said, it is far more important to only borrow what you need and can afford, and to manage any credit you have responsibly, than to open new accounts simply for the sake of variety.

How lenders decide to give you credit

When you apply for credit, the lender has to decide whether you're likely to repay what you borrow. Your credit score isn't the only thing they look at. They also take into account factors such as your income, regular spending, existing debts, and sometimes your employment status.

A lender can look at your score and report from one or all of the credit reference agencies to gather enough information to make their decision. Each lender may also apply its own internal scoring criteria on top of what appears on your credit report.

Every lender is different, and some value certain factors more than others. So if you're declined credit by one lender, you could still be approved by another. If you are declined, it's a good idea to check your credit report for errors before applying elsewhere, and to avoid making multiple applications in quick succession, as each hard search could lower your score further.

How to improve your credit score

Improving your credit score is rarely an overnight process, but there are practical steps you can take that may make a difference over time. The following tips are based on the factors that credit reference agencies typically consider when calculating your score.

• Register on the electoral roll

• Being on the electoral roll at your current address helps lenders confirm your identity and where you live. It's one of the simplest things you can do, and it may have a relatively quick positive effect once the data is updated on your file. You can register online through your local council or at gov.uk.

• Direct debits for at least minimum payments

• Payment history is one of the most heavily weighted factors in your credit score. Some people use a direct debit for at least the minimum payment on each account so that due dates are not missed.

• Your credit utilisation ratio

• Credit utilisation compares the amount of credit you're using with your total available limit - with a £1,000 limit, a £300 balance is 30% utilisation. Lower utilisation is generally viewed more favourably, although there is no single threshold that all lenders apply and its effect varies by lender and individual circumstances.

• The timing of credit applications

• Each hard credit search can leave a mark on your report for up to 12 months, and several applications in a short period can signal to lenders that you're in financial difficulty. Eligibility checkers rely on soft searches, which show the likelihood of acceptance without recording a hard search.

• Check your report for errors and dispute inaccuracies

• Mistakes on your credit report - such as a payment incorrectly marked as missed, or an account that doesn't belong to you - can drag your score down unfairly. Review your report regularly through ClearScore and raise a dispute with the credit reference agency if you spot anything that looks wrong.

• The age of your accounts

• The length of your credit history matters. Closing a long-standing credit card or account can shorten the average age of your accounts and reduce your total available credit, both of which may lower your score.

• Credit-builder cards

• Credit-builder cards are aimed at people with little or no credit history and typically come with a low credit limit and a higher interest rate. Used for small regular purchases with the balance paid in full each month, they can contribute to a payment history over time. Eligibility, pricing and any effect on your credit score vary by lender and individual circumstances, and borrowing should only be considered where it is needed and affordable.

Credit score FAQ

Does checking my own credit score lower it?

No. Checking your own credit score is recorded as a soft search, which is visible only to you and does not affect your score in any way. You can check your score on ClearScore as often as you like without any impact on your creditworthiness. This applies to all personal credit checks, regardless of which agency or service you use.

How often does my credit score update?

Your credit score typically updates once a month, although the exact timing depends on when your lenders report new data to the credit reference agencies. On ClearScore, your report and score refresh weekly using data from Equifax, so you can keep a close eye on any changes. Bear in mind that actions like paying down a balance may not be reflected until your lender's next reporting cycle.

Can I have a different credit score with each agency?

Yes, and it's completely normal. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each use their own scoring scales and calculation methods, and they may not all hold exactly the same data about you. Some lenders report to all three agencies, while others report to only one or two. This means your score can vary between agencies even though your underlying financial behaviour is the same.

Does paying off a loan early affect my credit score?

Paying off a loan early is generally a positive step for your finances, but the effect on your credit score can vary. Closing the account reduces your total number of active credit accounts and may shorten your credit history, which could cause a small, temporary dip. However, any impact is usually minor, and having less outstanding debt is typically viewed favourably by lenders in the long run.

How long do missed payments stay on my credit report?

A missed payment can remain on your credit report for up to six years from the date it was recorded. During that time it may continue to affect your credit score and report, although its impact tends to lessen as it ages. The most important thing you can do after a missed payment is to bring the account up to date as quickly as possible and ensure all future payments are made on time.

Be clear about your credit score

Don't know your credit score? Join the millions of people who've taken control of their finances with ClearScore.

We'll highlight the key factors affecting your credit score in your weekly credit reports and give you tips on how to improve or maintain your score. A better score may help you access better deals in some cases, though lenders consider many factors beyond credit scores when making lending decisions. Get your credit score and report today, for free.