How close is Credit Karma to your real score?

Asked by: Sandy Veum  |  Last update: September 25, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (41 votes)

Your Credit Karma score should be relatively close to your FICO score. The category your credit score falls into (such as "good" or "very good") is more important than the precise number, which will vary by source and can change from day to day.

How far off is Credit Karma from your actual credit score?

They may differ by 20 to 25 points, and in some cases even more. When Credit Karma users see their credit score details, they are viewing a VantageScore, not the FICO score that the majority of lenders use. A VantageScore has the same credit score range as FICO, and uses some of the same information as a FICO score.

Why is my FICO score 100 points lower than Credit Karma?

Your FICO Score is a credit score. But if your FICO score is different from another of your credit scores, it may be that the score you're viewing was calculated using one of the other scoring models that exist.

Does Credit Karma show actual scores?

Though Credit Karma does not currently offer FICO® scores, the scores you see on Credit Karma (VantageScore 3.0 credit scores from TransUnion and Equifax) provide valuable insight into your financial health. It's important to keep in mind that no one credit score is the end-all, be-all.

What credit score site is most accurate?

Credit scores from the three main bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) are considered accurate. The accuracy of the scores depends on the accuracy of the information provided to them by lenders and creditors. You can check your credit report to ensure the information is accurate.

Does Credit Karma show your real credit score?

15 related questions found

Is my FICO or Credit Karma more accurate?

Credit Karma scores can be off by about 20 to 25 points compared to FICO scores. The discrepancy arises because Credit Karma uses VantageScore 3.0, which calculates credit scores differently from FICO.

What is the most reliable place to get your credit score?

What Is the Best Site to Get Your Free Credit Score? Generally, Credit Karma is the overall best site in terms of getting free credit scores and free credit reports. It provides free weekly scores and reports from Transunion and Equifax that are available without having to provide your credit card first.

Why is my Credit Karma score higher than my actual score?

You have many different credit scores, so some of your credit scores might be higher than the TransUnion and Equifax scores you see on Credit Karma, while others might be lower.

Is 650 a good credit score?

A FICO® Score of 650 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 650 FICO® Score is lower than the average U.S. credit score. Statistically speaking, 28% of consumers with credit scores in the Fair range are likely to become seriously delinquent in the future.

Can you trust Credit Karma?

Yes. Credit Karma is absolutely trustworthy. The company has a strict privacy policy and will never sell your data to third-party vendors. In addition, it uses tools like two-factor authentication and 128-bit encryption to make sure that hackers can't access your information or steal your identity.

Do car dealerships use FICO?

The two big credit scoring models used by auto lenders are FICO® Auto Score and Vantage. We're going to take at look at FICO® since it has long been the auto industry standard.

Why did my FICO score go up 50 points?

New payment behavior is a common cause for credit-score fluctuation. Additionally, when making payments on an installment loan, mortgage or auto loan, you are decreasing the amount of overall debt. That could also cause an increase in your credit score.

How do you find out your actual credit score?

Here are a few ways:
  1. Check your credit card, financial institution or loan statement. ...
  2. Purchase credit scores directly from one of the three major credit bureaus or other provider, such as FICO.
  3. Use a credit score service or free credit scoring site.

What credit score is needed to buy a car?

Still, you typically need a good credit score of 661 or higher to qualify for an auto loan. About 69% of retail vehicle financing is for borrowers with credit scores of 661 or higher, according to Experian. Meanwhile, low-credit borrowers with scores of 600 or lower accounted for only 14% of auto loans.

What is a fair score on Credit Karma?

Scores 565 and below are considered Needs Work. Scores between 566 and 603 are considered Fair. Scores between 604 and 627 are considered Good. Scores 628 and above are considered Excellent.

How rare is an 800 credit score?

Even better, just over 1 in 5 people (21.2%) have an exceptional FICO credit score of 800 or above, all but guaranteeing access to the best products and interest rates.

How to get 900 credit score?

While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.

What is the average US credit score?

The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024.

Which credit score is most accurate?

FICO® and VantageScore® are the two most popular credit scoring models today. The credit scores they assign are equally reliable and accurate, based on the specific credit scoring model that's being used. Scores can and do fluctuate as new data is received.

Why is Credit Karma out of 710?

Credit Karma uses the credit reference agency TransUnion, which scores out of 710. Other providers have different scoring ranges — Experian is up to 999 and Equifax is 1000 — so a direct comparison of scores doesn't really tell you much.

Who is more accurate, Experian or Credit Karma?

Experian vs. Credit Karma: Which is more accurate for your credit score? You may be surprised to know that the simple answer is that both are accurate. Read on to find out what's different between the two companies, how they get your credit score, and why you have more than one credit score to begin with.

What US city has the worst credit rating?

South Burlington, Vt., is the city with the highest credit score, while Detroit is the city with the lowest, according to personal finance site WalletHub.

Which credit bureau gives the highest score?

Of the three main credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), no particular bureau is considered better than another. A lender may rely on a report from one bureau or all three bureaus when deciding whether to approve a loan.

What is a bad credit score?

FICO Score

Very poor: 300 to 579. Fair: 580 to 669. Good: 670 to 739. Very good: 740 to 799. Excellent: 800 to 850.