How to Check Your Credit Score for Free

Your credit score is a three-digit number that lenders use to assess your risk as a borrower. It’s based on your credit history. Your credit score plays a big role in whether you’re approved for new credit — and what terms you’re offered — so it’s worth monitoring.

Let’s explore some of the ways you can check your credit score at no cost. Plus, we’ll show you where you can check your credit report for free, too.

3 places to check your credit score for free

Here are three ways to check your credit score for no fee and with no strings attached. Some may also give you access to your credit reports, which contain detailed financial history used to determine your credit score.

1. Credit card issuers

If you have a credit card, find out if the bank or credit union that issued your card offers a free way to check your credit score. Some may also offer a free credit monitoring service.

If you don’t have a credit card, there are free services from credit card issuers that don’t require you to be a customer. They not only give you your credit score and credit report but also contact you if something changes. Here are three:

• MyCredit Guide™
• CreditWise®
• Credit Journey

2. Banks, credit unions and lenders

Even if you don't have a credit card account with them, many banks, credit unions and lenders may provide free access to your credit score if you're a customer. They may also make credit monitoring services available so that changes in your borrowing behavior can be tracked and you can be notified of potential fraud.

If you’re a OneMain customer, you get free access to your VantageScore® credit score, which is updated monthly. You can find your credit score through your online account or in the OneMain mobile app. To check your progress, you can also see how your VantageScore has evolved over time.

If you’re unsure what your bank or lender offers, reach out to them or visit their website.

3. Financial apps

There are many free personal finance apps, some of which provide free access to credit scores and credit monitoring services. They may also give you recommendations on how to boost your score and send you notifications when anything changes. Use caution when using apps to make sure you’re not paying for services that you’re legally entitled to get for free.¹

How to check your credit report for free

Checking your credit report is just as important as checking your credit score. Your credit report may reveal activity in your credit history that could affect your credit score. Currently, all U.S. consumers may check their credit report from the three national credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) for free once a week at AnnualCreditReport.com.²

Getting free credit reports is a simple process. You’ll fill out your personal information to confirm your identity. After that, you can view each report online and print or save it. You can also request your credit report over the phone or by mail and receive a copy within 15 days.

You won’t find your credit score on AnnualCreditReport.com, just your credit reports. Take time to review each of your credit reports carefully, and if you see any errors, report any mistakes as soon as possible.

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Build your credit score one step a time

Remember that big changes start with small steps. The first steps toward strengthening your credit score are learning what it is, checking that number periodically and staying on top of any changes. Once you’re more aware of where your credit score stands, you can start improving it.

Sources

1 https://www.consumerreports.org/credit-protection-monitoring/hidden-costs-of-credit-score-apps-a5900455243/
2 https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2023/10/you-now-have-permanent-access-free-weekly-credit-reports

This article has been updated from its original posting in 2020 and 2022. Jessica Leshnoff and Kia Jackson contributed.