How far off is Credit Karma from your actual score?

Asked by: Maynard Moen III  |  Last update: August 23, 2025
Score: 5/5 (56 votes)

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.

How close is Credit Karma to your real score?

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.

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.

How off is your credit score on Credit Karma?

Credit Karma uses VantageScore 3.0 from TransUnion and Equifax, which can differ from the FICO scores most lenders use. While it provides a useful estimate of your credit health, the scores on Credit Karma might be 20 to 25 points off from your actual FICO score.

Why is Credit Karma score so far off?

This is mainly because of two reasons: For one, lenders may pull your credit from different credit bureaus, whether it is Experian, Equifax or TransUnion. Your score can then differ based on what bureau your credit report is pulled from since they don't all receive the same information about your credit accounts.

How to Get A PERFECT Credit Score For $0

44 related questions found

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.

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.

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.

Is 700 a good credit score?

A 700 credit score is considered a good score on the most common credit score range, which runs from 300 to 850. How does your score compare with others? You're within the good credit score range, which runs from 690 to 719.

Which is more accurate, FICO or Credit Karma?

Overall, Credit Karma may produce a different result than one or more of the three major credit bureaus directly. The slight differences in calculations between FICO and VantageScore can lead to significant variances in credit scores, making Credit Karma less accurate than most may appreciate.

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.

What is the most accurate credit score?

FICO® and VantageScore® are the two most popular credit scoring models today. FICO and VantageScore credit scores are equally reliable and accurate, based on the specific scoring model that's being used. Tools are available that allow you to check and monitor your credit score for free, with no impact to your credit.

How trustworthy is 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 lenders use FICO or Vantage?

VantageScore vs.

FICO scores are the most widely used scores used by lenders to determine the creditworthiness of consumers. This means more institutions use FICO over any other scoring model to decide if someone should get a loan, mortgage, or any other credit product.

What is a perfect score on Credit Karma?

The highest credit score you can get with the two main scoring models is 850. If you don't have perfect scores today, don't panic. Very few people do.

Is a 900 credit score possible?

What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.

What is the national average credit score?

Highlights: Credit scores are three-digit numbers designed to represent the likelihood of paying your bills on time. Credit scores help lenders decide whether to grant you credit. The average credit score in the United States is 705, based on VantageScore® data from March 2024.

What credit score do you need to buy a $30000 car?

There is no minimum credit score required to buy a car, but most lenders have minimum requirements for financing. Most borrowers need a FICO score of at least 600 to get a competitive rate on an auto loan.

What credit score do I need to buy a $60000 car?

There isn't one specific score that's required to buy a car because lenders have different standards. However, the vast majority of borrowers have scores of 661 or higher.

What is the lowest credit score to buy a house?

What Credit Score Do I Need to Buy a House?
  • Conventional Loans Minimum Credit Score: 620. ...
  • Jumbo Loans Minimum Credit Score: 700. ...
  • FHA Loans Minimum Credit Score: 500. ...
  • VA Loans Minimum Credit Score: 620. ...
  • USDA Loans Minimum Credit Score: 580.

Why is Credit Karma in trouble?

The FTC took action against Credit Karma in 2022, alleging that the company told consumers they were “pre-approved” and had “90% odds” of approval to entice them to apply for credit card offers that, in many instances, they ultimately did not qualify for.

What is a normal credit score?

For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent.

How bad is a credit score of 420?

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 420 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders view consumers with scores in the Very Poor range as having unfavorable credit, and may reject their credit applications.