Why are my credit score and FICO score different?

Asked by: Prof. Effie Ratke  |  Last update: June 14, 2025
Score: 4.3/5 (7 votes)

Why is my FICO® score different from my credit score? 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.

Is FICO or credit score more accurate?

The primary credit scoring models are FICO® and VantageScore®, and both are equally accurate. Although both are accurate, most lenders are looking at your FICO score when you apply for a loan.

How do I get my actual FICO score?

How to check your FICO Score in 5 different ways
  1. Utilize your bank or credit union. ...
  2. Seek guidance from credit and financial counselors. ...
  3. Review your credit card statements. ...
  4. Obtain a FICO Score from credit bureaus. ...
  5. Access your FICO Score from loan information.

Do banks use FICO score vs credit score?

Key Takeaways. A credit score is a three-digit number that measures your financial health and how well you manage credit and debt. FICO scores are a specific type of score that lenders can use when making borrowing decisions. The FICO credit scoring system is the most widely used credit score.

Do lenders look at FICO or credit score?

After you've determined that you're ready to buy a home, you need to understand how lenders see you. Lenders will determine your credit-worthiness based on your FICO® scores.

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What credit score is needed to buy a $300k house?

You can buy a $300,000 house with only $9,000 down when using a conventional mortgage, which is the lowest down payment permitted, unless you qualify for a zero-down-payment VA or USDA loan. Different lenders have different rules, but typically they require a 620 credit score for conventional loan approval.

What does a FICO Score of 8 mean?

FICO Score 8 is a base credit score that credit providers use to help figure out a potential borrower's credit risk. Your payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, new credit inquiries, and the types of accounts you have (your credit mix), are all factors that come into play within FICO Score 8.

Why is my FICO score and credit score different?

FICO® Scores are the credit scores used by most lenders, but different lenders may use different versions of FICO® Scores and some lenders (including Regions) may use different versions of FICO® Scores for different credit products, as discussed more fully here.

What is considered a good FICO score?

For credit scores that range from 300 to 850, a credit score in the mid to high 600s or above is generally considered good. A score in the high 700s or 800s is considered excellent. About a third of consumers have FICO Scores that fall between 600 and 750—and an additional 48% have a higher score.

How do I increase my FICO score?

Here are a couple of things you can do right away that can set you on the right path toward improving your FICO® Score:
  1. Pay your bills on time.
  2. Work on reducing large amounts of debt.
  3. Avoid opening multiple credit accounts at once.
  4. Check your credit report and dispute any errors.

What credit score do car dealers use?

Many dealers use a FICO Auto Score instead of a traditional FICO Score or VantageScore when evaluating your car loan application. Your FICO Auto Score can range from 250 to 900, depending on your previous auto loans.

Does credit karma show your FICO Score?

Credit Karma's credit scores are VantageScores, a competitor to the more widely used FICO scores. Those scores are based on the information in your credit reports from Equifax and TransUnion, two of the three major credit bureaus.

How do I get a 900 FICO Score?

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. And having a credit score of 850 is rare.

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.

Is my FICO score my actual credit score?

credit scores. Credit scores are three-digit numbers that are used in lending decisions. Scores are based on what's found in credit reports, and they're calculated by different credit-scoring companies using scoring models. A FICO score is a credit score from FICO.

What do the f and i stand for in FICO?

FICO is an acronym for the Fair Isaac Corporation. FICO developed a credit scoring system that lenders can use to check a potential borrower's creditworthiness.

What is a good FICO score to buy a car?

Your credit score is a major factor in whether you'll be approved for a car loan. Some lenders use specialized credit scores, such as a FICO Auto Score. In general, you'll need at least prime credit, meaning a credit score of 661 or up, to get a loan at a good interest rate.

How rare is an 820 credit score?

Your score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is considered Exceptional. Your FICO® Score and is well above the average credit score. Consumers with scores in this range may expect easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Exceptional range.

What is a perfect FICO score?

A perfect FICO credit score is 850, but experts tell CNBC Select you don't need to hit that target to qualify for the best credit cards, loans or interest rates.

Which is more important, FICO or credit score?

For over 25 years, FICO Scores have been the industry standard for determining a person's credit risk. Many lenders use FICO Scores to make faster, fairer, and more accurate lending decisions. Other credit scores can be very different from FICO Scores—sometimes by as much as 100 points!

Why is my FICO score different than credit wise?

FICO uses Equifax, whereas CreditWise uses TransUnion. Checking your score on different platforms can result in differing scores.

Why is TransUnion so much lower?

That is because the TransUnion credit scoring model is usually stricter than other ones. They take into consideration many credit factors such as your personal information, employment history, credit history, credit limits, financial story, and so on, which further makes it lower.

What FICO score is needed to buy a house?

The minimum credit score needed for most mortgages is typically around 620. However, government-backed mortgages like Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans typically have lower credit requirements than conventional fixed-rate loans and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs).

Do lenders use FICO score 8 or 2?

In addition to the standard FICO score 8 or 9, mortgage lenders might use one of the following: FICO score 2. FICO score 4. FICO score 5.

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.