Why is my credit score different on different sites?
Written by
Emily Tye
Reviewed by
Amy LancashireYour credit score looks different on different sites because there is no single, universal credit score. Each site bases its score on data from one of the three UK credit reference agencies, and every agency uses its own scale and its own formula. On top of that, the agencies don't all hold exactly the same information about you, and your data doesn't reach them all at the same time.
So seeing one number on Experian and a different one on ClearScore or Credit Karma is completely normal. It usually doesn't mean anything is wrong. What matters far more than the headline number is whether the information behind it is accurate, and that's the part worth checking.
Why do I have different credit scores on different sites?
There are four main reasons the numbers don't match:
Different credit reference agencies. Sites pull data from Experian, Equifax or TransUnion, and these agencies hold separate records.
Different scoring scales. Each agency scores out of a different maximum, so the numbers aren't directly comparable.
Different information. Lenders don't report to all three agencies, so each one may hold a slightly different picture of you.
Different update times. Lenders don't all send updates on the same day, so one site can be more up to date than another.
Here's what each of those means in practice.
Different sites use different credit reference agencies
The UK has three credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. They each build their own record of how you manage credit, based on what lenders and other organisations report to them.
Most of the free score apps you'll have used are simply a front end for one of these agencies.
Check your score on ClearScore or Zable and you're seeing Equifax data. Check it on Credit Karma or TotallyMoney and you're seeing TransUnion data. Check it on Experian and you're seeing Experian's own data. Different source, different score.
Each agency scores on a different scale
The agencies don't score out of the same number, so a figure that looks high on one scale can look middling on another. A score of 700 is close to the top of TransUnion's range but sits in the lower half of Experian's.
Comparing the raw numbers is a bit like comparing a temperature in Celsius with one in Fahrenheit. You have to know which scale you're reading.
Your information isn't the same at every agency
Lenders and providers aren't required to report to all three agencies, and many report to only one or two. So a credit card you hold might show up on your Experian and Equifax records but not your TransUnion one. Because the underlying data differs, the scores built on top of it differ too.
Read more about what affects your credit score at each agency.
Sites update at different times
Lenders send updates to the agencies on their own schedules, and it can take four to six weeks for new information to appear on your record. Because those updates don't all land on the same day, one site might reflect a change, like a balance you've paid down, before another does. Give it a full billing cycle and the picture across sites tends to move closer together.
Which credit reference agency does each site use?
Most popular UK score checkers map to a single agency:
Site or app | Credit reference agency it uses |
|---|---|
Zable | Equifax |
ClearScore | Equifax |
Experian | Experian |
Credit Karma | TransUnion |
TotallyMoney | TransUnion |
If two sites show you the same number, it's usually because they draw on the same agency.
What are the different credit score ranges?
Each agency scores out of a different maximum and sets its own bands. This table shows the current scales for each agency.
Rating | Equifax | Experian | TransUnion |
|---|---|---|---|
Very Poor | - | - | 0 - 550 |
Poor or Low | 0 - 438 | 0 - 640 | 551 - 565 |
Fair | 439 - 530 | 641 - 860 | 566 - 603 |
Good | 531 - 670 | 861 - 1000 | 604 - 627 |
Very Good | 671 - 810 | 1001 - 1120 | - |
Excellent | 811+ | 1121 - 1250 | 628 - 710 |
Because the bands sit at different points on each scale, the label matters more than the number. Read more about what counts as a good credit score.
Note: Experian moved to a new 0 to 1,250 scale in autumn 2025. Its previous scale ran 0 to 999.
Which credit score is the most accurate?
None of them is "the" accurate one, and none is more official than the others. Each agency is giving you an accurate reflection of the data it holds, using its own method. They differ because the inputs and the maths differ, not because one is right and the others are wrong.
A more useful question is whether the information behind each score is correct. Check the actual records at each agency: your accounts, balances, payment history and whether you're on the electoral roll. If those are accurate, the score is doing its job. If something looks wrong, that's worth fixing, because lenders see the underlying data.
What credit score do lenders actually use?
Usually none of the scores you see. Instead, they typically pull your credit report from one or more agencies and run that raw information through their own scoring model, alongside the details on your application, such as your income.
That's why you can be turned down with what looks like a "good" score, or accepted with a lower one. Each lender is scoring you against its own criteria for that specific product. The consumer score is a useful guide to your general standing, but it isn't the number that decides your application.
Should I worry if my credit scores are different?
Usually not. Different numbers across sites are expected, and small movements up and down are part of how scoring works. It's the direction of travel and the underlying data that matter, not whether two apps agree to the point.
It's worth a closer look if you notice:
A sudden, large drop you can't explain. Our guide on why your credit score might have gone down covers the common causes.
Information that's simply wrong, such as an account you don't recognise or a payment marked late that you made on time. Report mistakes to the agency showing them.
If your scores are lower than you'd like across the board, the fix is the same wherever you check: focus on the habits that build your record over time. Our guide on how to improve your credit score walks through the practical steps.
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There are a range of financial products available that may suit your needs. We encourage you to research your options carefully and consider seeking independent financial advice before making any decisions. This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.
