6 places where you can get your FICO® scores for free (2024)

Editorial Note: IntuitCredit Karma receives compensation from third-party advertisers, but that doesn’t affect our editors’ opinions. Our third-party advertisers don’t review, approve or endorse our editorial content. Information about financial products not offered on Credit Karma is collected independently. Our content is accurate to the best of our knowledge when posted.

Advertiser Disclosure

Offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which Credit Karma typically receives compensation. Except for mortgage loan offers, this compensation is one of several factors that may impact how and where offers appear on Credit Karma (including, for example, the order in which they appear).

Other factors may include: your credit profile and what products we think you want. It is this compensation that enables Credit Karma to provide you with services like free access to your credit scores and free monitoring of your credit and financial accounts. Credit Karma strives to provide a wide array of offers for our members, but our offers do not represent all financial services, companies or products.

Credit scores can have a huge impact on a person’s financial life. They can be the difference between being approved for a new loan or credit card or being denied.

Plus they can play a vital role in determining the interest rate you’ll receive on nearly any loan. So what are the best ways to keep yourself up to date on your credit scores? You have options.

First, there’s Credit Karma, where you can get your free VantageScore 3.0 credit scores from TransUnion and Equifax. VantageScore is a different scoring model than FICO, but is still a good way to gauge your credit standing.

How’s your credit?Check My Equifax® and TransUnion® Scores Now

Another option is to seek out your FICO® scores — scores based on credit-scoring models created by the Fair Isaac Corporation (“FICO” … get it?). And fortunately, you can access your FICO® scores for free in several different places.

What’s the difference between VantageScore and FICO?

The major difference between VantageScore and FICO is the scoring models they use to determine your credit scores. The scoring models are largely based on your credit reports. While they look at similar factors when calculating your scores, different factors — like credit usage, payment history, credit types and more — can be weighed differently. VantageScore is a collaboration between the three main consumer credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.

How you can get your FICO® scores free

FICO works with more than 200 financial institutions to provide free access to FICO® scores for consumer accounts. If you’ve found yourself asking, “What’s my FICO® score?”, walk with us through six ways that you can get your FICO® scores for free.

  1. Discover Credit Scorecard
  2. American Express® credit cards
  3. Citibank® credit cards
  4. Bank of America
  5. Credit unions
  6. Ally Bank

1. Discover Credit Scorecard

One of the best ways to access your FICO® credit score for free is through Discover Credit Scorecard. This program is free whether you are a Discover customer or not.

To get started, you’ll be asked for some personal information, including your Social Security number. Then you will be asked a few questions to help verify your identity. You might be wondering how this will affect your credit. Since there is no hard inquiry, it won’t have a negative effect on your credit. And — luckily — this is the situation for all six ways on our list to access your FICO® scores for free.

With the Discover Credit Scorecard, your score is updated every 30 days, and you will never be penalized for checking your score. While you are working to build your credit, you can use the Discover Credit Scorecard to help track your FICO® score.

In addition to having access to your free FICO® credit score each month, you will be able to learn more about the factors that make up your scores. Discover Credit Scorecard can help you dive into the things that are helping your credit score, as well as what might be keeping your score down.

How’s your credit?Check My Equifax® and TransUnion® Scores Now

2. American Express® credit cards

American Express gives cardholders access to their free FICO® score, as well as 12 months of FICO® score history. The FICO® score provided is based on your Experian® credit report. Your FICO® score is available through your online American Express account and gets updated periodically.

3. Citibank® credit cards

Another credit card issuer that will provide your FICO® score for free (for select Citi cards) is Citibank. Scores are based on your Equifax® credit reports and they update on a monthly basis.

4. Bank of America

Bank of America offers eligible cardholders free access to their FICO® score. The score provided is based on your TransUnion® credit report and updated each month. Plus you will also have access to a couple of useful charts.

The first tracks your recent scores over time, so you can see how you’ve been performing month to month. This can be helpful if you’ve been working to boost your credit. The second chart will show national FICO® score averages. This allows you to compare your score against others.

5. Credit unions

If you don’t like using credit cards, another option for getting your FICO® scores for free is through a credit union. Not all of them offer this benefit, but if you belong to one, it’s worth checking. A couple of larger credit unions that offer free FICO® scores are Navy Federal Credit Union and DCU Credit Union.

6. Ally Bank

If you’re planning to purchase a new car, Ally Bank will provide you with a free FICO® score when you use Ally Auto Online Services or use the Ally Auto Mobile Pay app.

Next steps

Understanding your credit scores, including your FICO® credit scores, plays a big part in getting a handle on your overall financial health. Your credit scores could affect your borrowing costs when you purchase a new car or home, for example. With so many different ways to access your FICO® scores for free, you have the ability to stay informed and make any necessary changes to help ensure a strong financial future for yourself.

How’s your credit?Check My Equifax® and TransUnion® Scores Now

About the author: Sean Bryant is a Denver-based freelance writer specializing in personal finance, credit cards and travel. With nearly 10 years of writing experience, his work has appeared in many of the industry’s top publications. S… Read more.

6 places where you can get your FICO® scores for free (2024)

FAQs

6 places where you can get your FICO® scores for free? ›

Step 1 – Check with your bank or credit union

If your bank or credit union partners with FICO, log in to your account online. You will likely be provided with a free FICO Score.

How can I get my true FICO Score for free? ›

Step 1 – Check with your bank or credit union

If your bank or credit union partners with FICO, log in to your account online. You will likely be provided with a free FICO Score.

What 3 companies give you a FICO Score? ›

3-bureau credit report and FICO ® Scores. Compare and review your Experian, Equifax®, and TransUnion® credit reports and FICO Scores. Credit score calculated based on FICO® Score 8 model.

Where can I get all 3 of my credit scores for free? ›

You have the right to request one free copy of your credit report each year from each of the three major consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) by visiting AnnualCreditReport.com.

How can I check my FICO score without hurting my credit? ›

Fortunately, checking your own score is considered a soft inquiry, so it doesn't hurt it.
  1. Get free credit reports directly from the credit bureaus. ...
  2. Use a free credit score app or website. ...
  3. Check if your bank or credit card provider already offers free credit score monitoring.
Jul 18, 2024

Where can I find myFICO score accurate? ›

1. Check your credit card or other loan statement. Many major credit card companies and other lenders provide credit scores for their customers. The score could be listed on your monthly statement or can be found by logging in to your account online.

How can I pull my own FICO score? ›

You can check your FICO Score for free by accessing your credit report from one of the major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, or TransUnion) once per year. Some credit card issuers and financial institutions also offer their customers free access to FICO Scores.

Does Capital One give free FICO score? ›

To get a free credit report or free credit score, you could: Visit AnnualCreditReport.com, where you can find out how to get free copies of your credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus. Sign up for CreditWise from Capital One. It's free to all—even if you don't have a Capital One credit card.

What FICO score is most used? ›

The most widely used model is FICO 8, though the company has also created FICO 9 and FICO 10 Suite, which consists of FICO 10 and FICO 10T. There are also older versions of the score that are still used in specific lending scenarios, such as for mortgages and car loans.

Is Wells Fargo FICO score free? ›

As a Wells Fargo customer you may be eligible to access your credit score and credit report for free with Credit Close-UpSM.

Is AnnualCreditReport.com a legitimate site? ›

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to get your free annual credit reports. This right is guaranteed by Federal law. You can verify this is the official site by visiting the CFPB's website. Don't be fooled by look-alike sites.

Which credit bureau is most accurate? ›

There is no “best” credit bureau—all three bureaus can offer helpful information and tools to help you make financial decisions.

What is the best site to check your credit score? ›

You can start by going to the three major credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion first by logging on to AnnualCreditReport.com to check your report for free. Each agency gives you access to your report once every 12 months.

Does pulling your FICO score hurt your credit? ›

Many people are afraid to request a copy of their credit reports – or check their credit scores – out of concern it may negatively impact their credit scores. Good news: Credit scores aren't impacted by checking your own credit reports or credit scores.

Can I check my FICO score through my bank? ›

The feature is accessible through Online Banking, the Mobile website, and the Mobile Banking app for iPhone and Android devices. Your FICO® Score is based on data from TransUnion® and may be different from other credit scores.

What credit 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).

Is myFICO the real FICO score? ›

myFICO is the official consumer division of FICO, the company that invented the FICO credit score. FICO ® Scores are the most widely used credit scores, and have been an industry standard for more than 25 years.

How can I get a perfect FICO score? ›

Perhaps the most important factor in your credit score is on-time payments. In fact, both FICO and VantageScore list payment history as the top factor in calculating your credit score, since paying your bills on time demonstrates that you pose a lower credit risk to lenders.

Is AnnualCreditReport.com a legitimate website? ›

AnnualCreditReport.com is the official site to get your free annual credit reports. This right is guaranteed by Federal law. You can verify this is the official site by visiting the CFPB's website. Don't be fooled by look-alike sites.

Does Credit Karma show your FICO score? ›

Though Credit Karma does not currently offer FICO® scores, the scores you see on Credit Karma (VantageScore 3.0 credit scores from TransUnion and Equifax) provide valuable insight into your financial health. It's important to keep in mind that no one credit score is the end-all, be-all.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Allyn Kozey

Last Updated:

Views: 6056

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Allyn Kozey

Birthday: 1993-12-21

Address: Suite 454 40343 Larson Union, Port Melia, TX 16164

Phone: +2456904400762

Job: Investor Administrator

Hobby: Sketching, Puzzles, Pet, Mountaineering, Skydiving, Dowsing, Sports

Introduction: My name is Allyn Kozey, I am a outstanding, colorful, adventurous, encouraging, zealous, tender, helpful person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.