Free credit score.
And so much more.
Tap into your free credit score and report, along with credit-building Nerdy insights personalized to you. You’ll also be able to track your net worth, cash flow and so much more to get the most from your money.
Get more than a free credit score with NerdWallet.
Credit monitoring
Check your free credit score and credit report, and get alerts about changes so you can manage your credit effectively.
Credit education
Stay on top of your score with tips and alerts tailored to you. Use our credit simulator to check out how actions might affect your score.
Credit card offers
Understand which credit cards fit your financial needs and check out the credit score guidelines for approval.
Loan and refi offers
Check into loan and refinance options that could lower your interest rate and help you cut debt.
Expense tracking
Manage your spending and saving so you can pay bills on time, tackle your debt and grow your score.
Net worth dashboard
Easily see your grand total. We tally up your lines of credit so you can see what you have and what you owe.
FAQs
Is my credit score really free?
How can I check my credit score? How often does it change?
Credit scores change frequently as data is added to your credit reports. Checking your credit score weekly is a good habit to develop, so you can see your credit-building progress and watch for signs of trouble.
Is it secure? Can I check my credit score without hurting it?
Where does NerdWallet get my score?
Credit scores are everywhere, so choose a score provider that helps you understand the bigger picture. NerdWallet explains your score and shows you how you're doing on the factors that influence it most. In the same convenient dashboard, you can see your cash flow and understand your net worth, plus track your debt and see upcoming payments.
By NerdWallet, reviewed by Liz Weston. Updated July 1, 2022.
What goes into my free credit score — and what doesn't?
NerdWallet uses VantageScore® 3.0 and your TransUnion® credit report data. Most lending decisions are made using the FICO® model. If you have a good VantageScore®, you may also have a good FICO® score — and both will respond to the same basic rules for managing your credit score. That's because they consider similar factors, with some differences in how they weight them:
Payment history: your record of on-time payments and any negative marks, such as missed payments, accounts sent to collections or bankruptcies.
Credit utilization: balances you owe and how much of your available credit you're using.
Age of credit history: how long you've been using credit.
Applications: how frequently you've applied for credit recently.
Type of credit: how many and what kinds of credit accounts you have, such as credit cards, installment debt (such as mortgage and car loans) or a mix.
A credit score does not consider your income, savings or job security. That’s why, in addition to your credit score, lenders also may check what you owe, how much you earn and assets you have.
Credit utilization: balances you owe and how much of your available credit you're using.
Age of credit history: how long you've been using credit.
Applications: how frequently you've applied for credit recently.
Type of credit: how many and what kinds of credit accounts you have, such as credit cards, installment debt (such as mortgage and car loans) or a mix.
A credit score does not consider your income, savings or job security. That’s why, in addition to your credit score, lenders also may check what you owe, how much you earn and assets you have.
What is my credit score — and why does it matter?
Your credit score is a number lenders and credit card issuers use to help them decide whether to approve your credit application. The higher your score, the better your chances.
With a low score, you may still be able to get credit, but it may come with higher interest rates or require a co-signer or security deposit. You also may have to pay more for car insurance or put down deposits on utilities. Landlords might use your score to decide whether they want you as a tenant.
But as you add points to your score, you'll gain access to more credit products — and pay less to use them. Borrowers with scores above 750 or so (on a typical 300-850 scale) have many options, including the potential to qualify for 0% financing on cars and credit cards with 0% introductory interest rates.
With a low score, you may still be able to get credit, but it may come with higher interest rates or require a co-signer or security deposit. You also may have to pay more for car insurance or put down deposits on utilities. Landlords might use your score to decide whether they want you as a tenant.
But as you add points to your score, you'll gain access to more credit products — and pay less to use them. Borrowers with scores above 750 or so (on a typical 300-850 scale) have many options, including the potential to qualify for 0% financing on cars and credit cards with 0% introductory interest rates.
What can I do with my credit?
How are credit scores and credit reports different? What are the three credit bureaus?
What is a good credit score? What are the credit score ranges?
The most commonly used credit scoring models range from 300 to 850. Each lender sets its own standards for what constitutes a good credit score. But, in general, scores fall along the following lines:
Excellent credit: 720 and higher
Good credit: 690-719
Fair credit: 630-689
Bad credit: 629 or lower
If you're just starting out or haven't used credit in at least six months, you might not have a score. Don't worry, NerdWallet has a guide to help you get started with building credit.
Excellent credit: 720 and higher
Good credit: 690-719
Fair credit: 630-689
Bad credit: 629 or lower
If you're just starting out or haven't used credit in at least six months, you might not have a score. Don't worry, NerdWallet has a guide to help you get started with building credit.
How can I build my credit score?
The two biggest factors in your credit score are paying on time and managing how much of your credit limits you're using. That’s why they come first in this list of tips:
Pay all your bills, not just credit cards, on time. Late payments and accounts charged off or sent to collections will hurt your score.
Use no more than 30% of your credit limit on any card — less, if possible. The best scores go to people using 10% or less of their credit limits.
Keep accounts open and active when possible — that gives you a longer payment history and can help your "credit utilization," or how much of your limits you're using.
Avoid opening too many new accounts at once. New accounts lower your average account age and each application causes a small ding to your score. We recommend spacing credit applications about 6 months apart. Make sure you conduct thorough research on the best credit card for your needs before applying.
Check your credit reports and dispute errors.
Pay all your bills, not just credit cards, on time. Late payments and accounts charged off or sent to collections will hurt your score.
Use no more than 30% of your credit limit on any card — less, if possible. The best scores go to people using 10% or less of their credit limits.
Keep accounts open and active when possible — that gives you a longer payment history and can help your "credit utilization," or how much of your limits you're using.
Avoid opening too many new accounts at once. New accounts lower your average account age and each application causes a small ding to your score. We recommend spacing credit applications about 6 months apart. Make sure you conduct thorough research on the best credit card for your needs before applying.
Check your credit reports and dispute errors.
What if I'm just starting out?
It'll take a few months to generate a score, and then you can follow the tips above and watch your progress on your NerdWallet dashboard.
What can hurt my credit score?
Other negative marks on your credit reports can come from defaulting on an account (not paying as agreed), being sent to collections, having a repossession or foreclosure, or filing for bankruptcy.
