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Understanding your credit score

Learn what your credit score means, how it's calculated, and why it matters for your financial future.

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A cute purple character with a round black face and large white eyes, sitting against a gray background.
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A cute purple character with a round black face and large white eyes, sitting against a gray background.

What is a credit score?

What is a credit score?

A credit score is a number that represents how reliable you are when borrowing money. It helps lenders decide whether to approve your applications for credit cards, loans, and mortgages.


In the UK, your credit score is calculated by three main credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each agency has its own scoring system and range.

A credit score is a number that represents how reliable you are when borrowing money. It helps lenders decide whether to approve your applications for credit cards, loans, and mortgages.


In the UK, your credit score is calculated by three main credit reference agencies: Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. Each agency has its own scoring system and range.

UK credit score ranges

UK credit score ranges

Each credit reference agency uses a different scale to calculate your score. Here's how they compare.

Each credit reference agency uses a different scale to calculate your score. Here's how they compare.

Equifax Logo

Equifax

Excellent: 811-1000

Excellent: 811-1000

Good: 671-810

Good: 671-810

Fair: 531-670

Fair: 531-670

Poor: 381-530

Poor: 381-530

Very Poor: 0-380

Very Poor: 0-380

Experian Logo

Experian

Excellent: 961-999

Excellent: 961-999

Good: 881-960

Good: 881-960

Fair: 721-880

Fair: 721-880

Poor: 561-720

Poor: 561-720

Very Poor: 0-560

Very Poor: 0-560

TransUnion Logo

TransUnion

Excellent: 628-710

Excellent: 628-710

Good: 604-627

Good: 604-627

Fair: 566-603

Fair: 566-603

Poor: 551-565

Poor: 551-565

Very Poor: 0-550

Very Poor: 0-550

What affects your credit score?

What affects your credit score?

Your credit score is calculated based on several factors from your financial history. Understanding these factors can help you improve your score.

Your credit score is calculated based on several factors from your financial history. Understanding these factors can help you improve your score.

Payment history

Making payments on time for credit cards, loans, and bills shows lenders you're reliable. Late or missed payments can significantly lower your score.

Payment history

Making payments on time for credit cards, loans, and bills shows lenders you're reliable. Late or missed payments can significantly lower your score.

Payment history

Making payments on time for credit cards, loans, and bills shows lenders you're reliable. Late or missed payments can significantly lower your score.

Payment history

Making payments on time for credit cards, loans, and bills shows lenders you're reliable. Late or missed payments can significantly lower your score.

Credit utilisation

This is how much of your available credit you're using. Keeping this below 30% of your limit shows lenders you're not overly reliant on credit.

Credit utilisation

This is how much of your available credit you're using. Keeping this below 30% of your limit shows lenders you're not overly reliant on credit.

Credit utilisation

This is how much of your available credit you're using. Keeping this below 30% of your limit shows lenders you're not overly reliant on credit.

Credit utilisation

This is how much of your available credit you're using. Keeping this below 30% of your limit shows lenders you're not overly reliant on credit.

Length of credit history

A longer credit history gives lenders more data to assess your reliability. Having older accounts in good standing can improve your score.

Length of credit history

A longer credit history gives lenders more data to assess your reliability. Having older accounts in good standing can improve your score.

Length of credit history

A longer credit history gives lenders more data to assess your reliability. Having older accounts in good standing can improve your score.

Length of credit history

A longer credit history gives lenders more data to assess your reliability. Having older accounts in good standing can improve your score.

Recent credit applications

Multiple credit applications in a short period can suggest financial distress. Each application typically results in a hard search on your credit file.

Recent credit applications

Multiple credit applications in a short period can suggest financial distress. Each application typically results in a hard search on your credit file.

Recent credit applications

Multiple credit applications in a short period can suggest financial distress. Each application typically results in a hard search on your credit file.

Recent credit applications

Multiple credit applications in a short period can suggest financial distress. Each application typically results in a hard search on your credit file.

Electoral roll registration

Being registered to vote at your current address helps verify your identity and improves your score. This is particularly important in the UK.

Electoral roll registration

Being registered to vote at your current address helps verify your identity and improves your score. This is particularly important in the UK.

Electoral roll registration

Being registered to vote at your current address helps verify your identity and improves your score. This is particularly important in the UK.

Electoral roll registration

Being registered to vote at your current address helps verify your identity and improves your score. This is particularly important in the UK.

Types of credit

Having a mix of credit types (credit cards, loans, mortgage) can positively impact your score if managed well, showing you can handle different forms of credit.

Types of credit

Having a mix of credit types (credit cards, loans, mortgage) can positively impact your score if managed well, showing you can handle different forms of credit.

Types of credit

Having a mix of credit types (credit cards, loans, mortgage) can positively impact your score if managed well, showing you can handle different forms of credit.

Types of credit

Having a mix of credit types (credit cards, loans, mortgage) can positively impact your score if managed well, showing you can handle different forms of credit.

What affects your credit score?

What affects your credit score?

Your credit score is calculated based on several factors from your financial history. Understanding these factors can help you improve your score.

Your credit score is calculated based on several factors from your financial history. Understanding these factors can help you improve your score.

Loan and credit card approval

A good credit score increases your chances of being approved for loans and credit cards with better terms.

Loan and credit card approval

A good credit score increases your chances of being approved for loans and credit cards with better terms.

Loan and credit card approval

A good credit score increases your chances of being approved for loans and credit cards with better terms.

Loan and credit card approval

A good credit score increases your chances of being approved for loans and credit cards with better terms.

Better interest rates

Lenders offer lower interest rates to borrowers with higher credit scores, saving you money over time.

Better interest rates

Lenders offer lower interest rates to borrowers with higher credit scores, saving you money over time.

Better interest rates

Lenders offer lower interest rates to borrowers with higher credit scores, saving you money over time.

Better interest rates

Lenders offer lower interest rates to borrowers with higher credit scores, saving you money over time.

Mortgage applications

Mortgage lenders use your credit score to determine if you qualify and what interest rate to offer.

Mortgage applications

Mortgage lenders use your credit score to determine if you qualify and what interest rate to offer.

Mortgage applications

Mortgage lenders use your credit score to determine if you qualify and what interest rate to offer.

Mortgage applications

Mortgage lenders use your credit score to determine if you qualify and what interest rate to offer.

Renting property

Many landlords and letting agencies check your credit score before approving your rental application.

Renting property

Many landlords and letting agencies check your credit score before approving your rental application.

Renting property

Many landlords and letting agencies check your credit score before approving your rental application.

Renting property

Many landlords and letting agencies check your credit score before approving your rental application.

Mobile phone contracts

Phone providers often check your credit score before offering contracts, especially for newer models.

Mobile phone contracts

Phone providers often check your credit score before offering contracts, especially for newer models.

Mobile phone contracts

Phone providers often check your credit score before offering contracts, especially for newer models.

Mobile phone contracts

Phone providers often check your credit score before offering contracts, especially for newer models.

Utility connections

Some utility companies check your credit score when you apply for services like electricity or broadband.

Utility connections

Some utility companies check your credit score when you apply for services like electricity or broadband.

Utility connections

Some utility companies check your credit score when you apply for services like electricity or broadband.

Utility connections

Some utility companies check your credit score when you apply for services like electricity or broadband.

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Ready to take control of your credit score?

Ready to take control of your credit score?

Download the Boshhh Money app today to check your credit score, get personalised improvement tips, and track your progress over time.

Download the Boshhh Money app today to check your credit score, get personalised improvement tips, and track your progress over time.

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Here’s everything you need to know about how Boshhh Money app works, from your scores to our credit-building SIM.

Is the Boshhh Money app free?

What is an affordability score?

Can I get my credit score in the app?

Can the app help me build my credit score?

Is Boshhh Money app safe and secure?

Is the Boshhh Money app free?

What is an affordability score?

Can I get my credit score in the app?

Can the app help me build my credit score?

Is Boshhh Money app safe and secure?

Is the Boshhh Money app free?

What is an affordability score?

Can I get my credit score in the app?

Can the app help me build my credit score?

Is Boshhh Money app safe and secure?

Is the Boshhh Money app free?

What is an affordability score?

Can I get my credit score in the app?

Can the app help me build my credit score?

Is Boshhh Money app safe and secure?

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Trustpilot

Feel in control of your money again

Download the app to get your credit score and start to understand your affordability, all for free.

Trustpilot

Feel in control of your money again

Download the app to get your credit score and start to understand your affordability, all for free.

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10,519+ Users

Trustpilot

Feel in control of your money again

Download the app to get your credit score and start to understand your affordability, all for free.

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