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Why is my credit score different at Experian, Equifax and TransUnion?
Short answer
There is no single UK credit score. Experian, Equifax and TransUnion each use their own scoring model and their own scale, and they can hold different information about you, because each lender chooses which agencies it reports to. Lenders also use their own criteria, so the scores you see are a guide rather than the number a lender uses.
Each agency uses a different scale
| Agency | Score range |
|---|---|
| Experian | 0 to 1250 (it was 0 to 999 until Autumn 2025) |
| Equifax | 0 to 1000 |
| TransUnion | 0 to 999 (it used to be out of 710) |
Because the scales differ, a score from one agency cannot be compared directly with another. Many older web pages still quote the previous Experian and TransUnion ranges.
They can hold different information
The ICO explains that each lender decides which credit reference agency it uses, if any. If one lender reports to Equifax but not Experian, that account only shapes your Equifax file. Free apps also show one agency each: ClearScore uses Equifax data and Credit Karma uses TransUnion.
What lenders look at
MoneyHelper says a high score does not guarantee you will get credit, because each lender uses its own criteria. ClearScore, for example, says lenders do not see your ClearScore number; they look at the data in your credit report and apply their own scoring. That is why the details on your report matter more than the number.
Sources
Every fact in this page was checked against these official sources on 28 October 2026.
- The new Experian Credit Score Experian
- Credit score Equifax
- Consumer support TransUnion
- Credit Information Commissioner’s Office
- How to check your credit report MoneyHelper
- Credit scores and your ClearScore ClearScore
Written and fact-checked by the PiggyBank editorial team. Last reviewed 28 October 2026. This answer is general information, not financial advice. How we write and check our guides.
Related guides and questions
How to check your credit report in the UK
See what lenders see. How to check your credit report with Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, what the free options cover, and how to fix mistakes.
Does checking your own credit score lower it?
No. Checking your own credit report or score is a soft search that lenders cannot see. What does affect your score: hard searches when you apply for credit.