This is because Credit Karma makes use of another credit scoring model compared to many lenders and possibly does not have access to all the data required to calculate your credit score. Furthermore, credit ratings from various sources can differ due to dissimilarities in the data used for their computation.
Your Credit Karma score should be the same or close to your FICO score, which is what any prospective lender will probably check. The range of your credit score (such as "good" or "very good") is more important than the precise number, which will vary by source and edge up or down often.
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.
The reason for the differences in FICO scores comes down to the differences in credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus. For example, lenders might not report credit activity to all bureaus.
Are myFICO scores accurate? Yes, myFICO scores are accurate based on the information available. However, if there is an error on your credit report that is negatively affecting your FICO credit score, it's your responsibility to dispute the error with the appropriate credit bureau.
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. There's a lot to learn about credit scores and credit reports and having more than one credit score can get confusing.
The most accurate credit scores are the latest versions of the FICO Score and VantageScore credit-scoring models: FICO Score 9/10 and VantageScore 3.0/4.0. It is important to check a reputable, accurate credit score because there are more than 1,000 different types of credit scores floating around.
The main reason why credit scores can vary is because they use different scoring models. A FICO® Score is calculated using a different formula than a VantageScore. And while most credit scores use a scale of 300 to 850, that isn't always the case.
In some cases, as seen in an example below, Credit Karma may be off by 20 to 25 points.
Is "credit score" the same as "FICO® score"? Basically, "credit score" and "FICO® score" are all referring to the same thing. A FICO® score is a type of credit scoring model. While different reporting agencies may weigh factors slightly differently, they are all essentially measuring the same thing.
FICO 8 scores range between 300 and 850. A FICO score of at least 700 is considered a good score. There are also industry-specific versions of credit scores that businesses use. For example, the FICO Bankcard Score 8 is the most widely used score when you apply for a new credit card or a credit-limit increase.
Very good and excellent credit scores: Above mid-700s
But having very good or excellent credit scores doesn't mean you're a shoo-in for every loan or credit card out there. A lender could deny an application for another reason, like a high debt-to-income ratio.
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).
What scoring model is used when applying for mortgage applications? Lenders will look at your FICO score when reviewing your mortgage application. It is, by far, the scoring model lenders use most.
A different score model is used. Credit Karma uses VantageScore 3 while most banks provide FICO 8/9 scores. VantageScore 3 is not FICO 8/9: even for exact same inputs, the result is “expected” to differ.
When mortgage lenders review your credit history, it's likely they'll use a credit score formula tailored to determine what kind of risk you'll be for a mortgage loan. The formula may weigh pieces of your credit history differently in order to test for that risk factor.
The credit score required and other eligibility factors for buying a car vary by lender and loan terms. 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.
In addition, each of the three national consumer credit bureaus offers its own scores, which are usually provided by VantageScore. VantageScore is a legitimate credit score in its own right, but the scoring model is weighted differently than FICO, which is why it produces different scores.
The FICO Bankcard Score 8 is a FICO® Score that's created specifically for credit card issuers to help them understand the likelihood that a borrower will be 90 or more days late on a credit card payment in the next 24 months. The score has a wider scoring range—250 to 900—than the base FICO® Score range of 300 to 850.
For your credit score to drop 100 points at once, you're most likely talking about being 90 days late or more on a loan or credit card payment you're on the hook for. Believe it or not, a single late payment could cause damage in that ballpark, especially if your credit score is higher to begin with.
In the U.S., the average credit score is 716, per Experian's latest data from the second quarter of 2023. And when you break down the average credit score by age, the typical American is hovering near or above that 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.