The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice. See Lexington Law’s editorial disclosure for more information.
If you’re considering taking out a loan or credit card, you’ve probably checked your credit score to weigh your odds of getting approved. But what if it’s different depending on which scoring model you check?
Since you have multiple types of credit scores, the number can vary based on the scoring model. Continue reading to learn more about the different credit scores, including FICO® and VantageScore®.
Table of contents:
A credit score is a three-digit number that predicts your credit risk based on data from your credit report. Lenders use credit scores to determine who to approve for loans and at what interest rates. Credit scores typically range from 300 to 800 points. A high credit score indicates that you’re more likely to pay back your loans, while a lower credit score signals that you may be a risky borrower.
FICO and VantageScore are the two most popular scoring models used in the United States. Both models calculate your score based on a set of factors that assess an individual’s credit risk. However, the two models use different algorithms and assign different weights to each factor.
Let’s look at the different types of credit scores and how they stack up.
The FICO score was the first consumer credit score developed by the Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) in 1989. According to myFICO, 90 percent of top lenders use FICO scores to determine loan approvals, interest rates and credit limits.
A good FICO score will help you secure better loan terms and rates. The latest FICO model categorizes your score based on these ranges:
The VantageScore model was developed in 2006 by the three credit bureaus—Experian®, TransUnion® and Equifax®—as an alternative scoring model.
Like the FICO scoring model, VantageScore ranges from 300 to 850. According to Experian, here’s how the newest VantageScore model groups scores:
While FICO and VantageScore are the most widely used, they aren’t the only scoring models out there. Here are some lesser-known credit scoring models you may encounter:
Your credit scores are calculated based on a set of factors from your credit report. However, each scoring model assigns a certain weight to each factor to calculate your score.
Let’s look at how the FICO and VantageScore models calculate credit scores.
With the latest FICO scoring model, your history of paying past accounts on time is the most important factor when determining your credit score. Other factors include how much of your available credit you’re using, how long you’ve had your accounts, the different types of loans you have and how many new accounts you have.
Here’s exactly how FICO calculates your score:
Like the FICO model, payment history is the most significant factor when calculating your VantageScore. Additional factors include the age of your accounts, how much credit you use, total balances on your accounts, new accounts you’ve opened and how much credit you have available.
Here’s a look at the factors that determine your VantageScore:
It’s normal for your credit scores to be different. Here are a few of the main reasons credit scores vary:
Accessing your credit score doesn’t have to be a hassle. Here are the easiest ways to check your credit score for free:
Regularly checking your credit score and credit report can help notify you of inaccurate information that may be hurting your credit. If you notice errors on your credit report, it’s important to investigate and address them with the credit bureaus.
Learn how Lexington Law Firm’s services could help you effectively manage and monitor your credit today.
Note: Articles have only been reviewed by the indicated attorney, not written by them. The information provided on this website does not, and is not intended to, act as legal, financial or credit advice; instead, it is for general informational purposes only. Use of, and access to, this website or any of the links or resources contained within the site do not create an attorney-client or fiduciary relationship between the reader, user, or browser and website owner, authors, reviewers, contributors, contributing firms, or their respective agents or employers.
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