Updated July 2026
A credit score is a number calculated from information in a credit report. But you do not have only one credit score. Different companies use different scoring formulas, versions, and credit-bureau data, so the score shown by a bank or free app may not match the score a lender sees.
What is a FICO Score?
FICO creates credit-scoring models used by many lenders. A FICO Score is based on information from a credit report, including payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, credit mix, and recent credit activity. The exact model and bureau data can vary.
Why can free scores be different?
Some free services show a FICO Score, while others show an educational score created with a different formula. Even two FICO Scores can differ when they use different model versions, were calculated on different dates, or rely on reports from different credit bureaus. Read the score disclosure to learn which model, bureau, and date were used.
Why mortgage and auto scores may differ
Lenders choose scoring models for their products. A mortgage lender may use a different FICO model than an auto lender or credit-card issuer. A consumer score is useful for tracking general direction, but it is not a guarantee of the score used for a particular application.
Why all three credit reports matter
Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion may not contain identical information. A lender may review one bureau, multiple bureaus, or a score based on each report. Review all three reports for unfamiliar accounts, incorrect late payments, duplicate debts, and inaccurate personal information.
What to do before a major application
Check your credit reports early, dispute errors with both the credit bureau and the company that supplied the information, avoid unnecessary new applications, and continue paying every account on time. You can request your official reports through AnnualCreditReport.com.
Educational disclosure
HowCreditWorks.info provides general credit education and does not provide legal, tax, lending, or individualized financial advice. We do not pull credit reports or submit applications. If approved for an affiliate program, we may receive compensation from some links without changing the information provided.
A credit score is a number calculated from information in a credit report. But you do not have only one credit score. Different companies use different scoring formulas, versions, and credit-bureau data, so the score shown by a bank or free app may not match the score a lender sees.
What is a FICO Score?
FICO creates credit-scoring models used by many lenders. A FICO Score is based on information from a credit report, including payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, credit mix, and recent credit activity. The exact model and bureau data can vary.
Why can free scores be different?
Some free services show a FICO Score, while others show an educational score created with a different formula. Even two FICO Scores can differ when they use different model versions, were calculated on different dates, or rely on reports from different credit bureaus. Read the score disclosure to learn which model, bureau, and date were used.
Why mortgage and auto scores may differ
Lenders choose scoring models for their products. A mortgage lender may use a different FICO model than an auto lender or credit-card issuer. A consumer score is useful for tracking general direction, but it is not a guarantee of the score used for a particular application.
Why all three credit reports matter
Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion may not contain identical information. A lender may review one bureau, multiple bureaus, or a score based on each report. Review all three reports for unfamiliar accounts, incorrect late payments, duplicate debts, and inaccurate personal information.
What to do before a major application
Check your credit reports early, dispute errors with both the credit bureau and the company that supplied the information, avoid unnecessary new applications, and continue paying every account on time. You can request your official reports through AnnualCreditReport.com.
Educational disclosure
HowCreditWorks.info provides general credit education and does not provide legal, tax, lending, or individualized financial advice. We do not pull credit reports or submit applications. If approved for an affiliate program, we may receive compensation from some links without changing the information provided.