Last updated: 4 November 2026. General information, not financial advice.
You’ve checked your credit score, and now you’re staring at a number wondering: is that good? Is it good enough for a mortgage, a phone contract or a new card? And why does one app say “excellent” while another says “fair”?
It’s confusing because there isn’t one UK credit score. Each credit reference agency uses its own scale, and two of them have changed their scales recently. This guide shows the current bands for each one, explains why your scores don’t match, and tells you what lenders actually look at.
It’s part of my debt and credit UK guide. If you haven’t checked yet, start with how to check your credit score for free.
Quick answer
A “good” credit score depends on which agency you’re looking at:
| Agency | Score range | “Good” | “Excellent” |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experian | 0 to 1,250 | 861 to 1,000 | 1,121 to 1,250 |
| Equifax (via ClearScore) | 0 to 1,000 | 531 to 670 | 811 to 1,000 |
| TransUnion (new scale) | 0 to 999 | 653 to 785 | 786 to 999 |
Bands as published by Experian, ClearScore and TransUnion, checked November 2026. Agencies change their scales from time to time.
Experian credit score bands
Experian moved to a new 0 to 1,250 scale in late 2025 (it used to be out of 999). If you remember an older Experian score, don’t compare it with the new one: the numbers aren’t on the same scale.
| Band | Experian score |
|---|---|
| Excellent | 1,121 to 1,250 |
| Very good | 1,001 to 1,120 |
| Good | 861 to 1,000 |
| Fair | 641 to 860 |
| Low | 0 to 640 |
Equifax credit score bands
You can see your Equifax score free through ClearScore. It runs from 0 to 1,000.
| Band | Equifax score |
|---|---|
| Excellent | 811 to 1,000 |
| Very good | 671 to 810 |
| Good | 531 to 670 |
| Fair | 439 to 530 |
| Low | 0 to 438 |
TransUnion credit score bands (new scale)
TransUnion is moving from its old 0 to 710 scale to a new 0 to 999 scale. It started showing from September 2026 and is rolling out across apps (such as Credit Karma) until around June 2027, so for a whileyou may see two different TransUnion scores depending on where you check.
| Band | New TransUnion score (0 to 999) |
|---|---|
| Excellent | 786 to 999 |
| Good | 653 to 785 |
| Fair | 563 to 652 |
| Low | 488 to 562 |
| Very low | 0 to 487 |
TransUnion says the change doesn’t alter the information in your credit report, only how the score is shown.
Why is my credit score different on each site?
This catches almost everyone out. Your scores differ because:
- Different scales. 900 is “good” on Experian but “excellent” on Equifax.
- Different data. Not every lender reports to every agency, so each report can hold slightly different accounts.
- Different formulas. Each agency weighs things like payment history and credit use in its own way.
- Different update dates. One may have your latest balance, another last month’s.
So a mismatch is normal. What matters is whether the information in each report is correct.
What lenders actually look at
Here’s the bit most people don’t realise: lenders don’t see the score in your app. When you apply, a lender looks at your credit report from one or more agencies, then uses its own scoring system, plus what you tell it about your income and spending.
That’s why you can have an “excellent” score and still be turned down, or a “fair” score and be accepted. Lenders typically look at:
- Payment history: any late or missed payments, defaults or County Court Judgments (CCJs)
- How much of your credit you use: high balances compared with limits can be a warning sign
- Recent applications: lots of hard searches in a short time
- Length of credit history
- Electoral roll: being registered to vote at your address helps confirm who you are
- Affordability: your income, outgoings and existing debts
- Their own customer criteria, which differ from lender to lender
Is my score good enough for a mortgage?
There’s no set “mortgage score”. Mortgage lenders look closely at your full report, your deposit and affordability. Generally:
- A clean recent payment history matters more than the number.
- Missed payments, defaults or CCJs in the last few years can reduce your choice of lenders.
- A bigger deposit can help.
If you’re planning to buy, check all your reports a few months before applying and fix any errors. My first-time buyer mortgage checklist covers what to do, and my guide to bank statements for a mortgage explains what lenders may look at. An independent mortgage broker can tell you which lenders suit your situation.
What if my score is low?
Don’t panic. A low score isn’t permanent, and you can usually improve it with free, simple steps:
- Check each report for mistakes and dispute them
- Register to vote at your current address
- Pay everything on time (set up Direct Debits for minimums)
- Bring credit card balances down compared with your limits
- Space out applications, and use eligibility checkers first
Negative information like missed payments usually drops off after six years, and its effect fades over time. My guide on how to improve your credit score goes through each step.
Good credit score UK: people also ask
What is a good credit score in the UK out of 999?
It depends on the agency. On TransUnion’s new 0 to 999 scale, 653 to 785 is “good” and 786 or more is “excellent”. Experian used to be out of 999 but now runs from 0 to 1,250, where 861 to 1,000 is “good”.
What is a good Experian credit score?
On Experian’s current 0 to 1,250 scale, 861 to 1,000 is “good”, 1,001 to 1,120 is “very good” and 1,121 to 1,250 is “excellent”.
What is a good Equifax score?
On Equifax’s 0 to 1,000 scale (shown on ClearScore), 531 to 670 is “good”, 671 to 810 is “very good” and 811 to 1,000 is “excellent”.
What is the highest credit score in the UK?
The maximum is 1,250 on Experian, 1,000 on Equifax and 999 on TransUnion’s new scale. You don’t need a perfect score: lenders care about what’s in your report, not hitting the top number.
Why did my TransUnion score suddenly change?
TransUnion is moving to a new 0 to 999 scale between September 2026 and June 2027. If your score jumped, it may just be the new scale. The information in your report hasn’t changed because of it.
Do lenders see my credit score?
No. Lenders see your credit report and use their own scoring rules, plus the information on your application. The scores in free apps are a guide to how lenders might see you, not the number they use.
Summary
- There’s no single UK credit score: Experian (0 to 1,250), Equifax (0 to 1,000) and TransUnion (0 to 999, new) all use different scales.
- Scores that don’t match are normal.
- Lenders look at your report and affordability, not the number in your app.
- Focus on accurate information, on-time payments and low balances.
Next step: read how to improve your credit score, or go back to the debt and credit UK guide.
General information only, not financial advice. Score bands checked November 2026.
Sources (checked 4 November 2026): Experian: the 1250 score · ClearScore: what is a good or bad credit score? · TransUnion: new credit score · MoneySavingExpert: TransUnion score change · MoneyHelper: improve your credit score