What Is a Good Credit Score? UK & US Ranges Explained

Q: What is a good credit score in the UK?

In the UK, a good credit score varies by bureau: Experian rates 881–960 as 'Good' and 961–999 as 'Excellent'. Equifax rates 420–465 as 'Good' and 466–700 as 'Excellent'. TransUnion rates 604–627 as 'Good' and 628–710 as 'Excellent'.

Q: How can I improve my credit score quickly?

The fastest improvements come from: registering on the electoral roll, paying all bills on time, reducing credit card utilisation below 30%, and checking your credit report for errors. Some improvements can appear within 30–60 days.

Q: Does checking my credit score lower it?

No. Checking your own credit score is a 'soft search' and does not affect your score at all. Only hard searches (when you apply for credit) can temporarily lower your score.

Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life. It determines whether you're approved for mortgages, loans, and credit cards — and crucially, what interest rate you're offered. But what counts as a "good" credit score depends on which country you're in and which credit bureau is reporting it. Here's the complete breakdown.

UK Credit Score Ranges

In the UK, there are three main credit reference agencies (CRAs), and each uses a different scoring scale. A score that's "good" on one scale might look very different on another — they're not directly comparable.

Experian (0–999)

Very Poor: 0–560 Likely to be declined for most credit

Poor: 561–720 May be approved at higher rates

Fair: 721–880 Average — some good deals available

Good: 881–960 Access to competitive rates

Excellent: 961–999 Best rates, highest approval odds

Equifax (0–700)

Very Poor: 0–279 High-risk, likely declined

Poor: 280–379 Limited options, high rates

Fair: 380–419 Improving — some options available

Good: 420–465 Solid score, good deals accessible

Excellent: 466–700 Top-tier — best available rates

TransUnion (0–710)

Very Poor: 0–550 Very limited credit access

Poor: 551–565 Below average

Fair: 566–603 Average range

Good: 604–627 Above average

Excellent: 628–710 Top-tier creditworthiness

US Credit Score Ranges (FICO)

In the United States, the FICO score is the dominant standard, used by over 90% of top lenders. It runs from 300 to 850.

Score Range	Rating	What It Means
800–850	Exceptional	Best rates, easy approvals
740–799	Very Good	Access to competitive rates
670–739	Good	Near or above average — most products accessible
580–669	Fair	Some products available, higher rates
300–579	Poor	Very limited options, high rates

What Affects Your Credit Score?

Whether you're in the UK or US, the same core factors drive your score:

Payment history (35% of FICO score) — On-time payments are the single biggest factor. Even one missed payment can knock points off your score.
Credit utilisation (30%) — How much of your available credit you're using. Keeping this below 30% (ideally below 10%) significantly boosts your score.
Length of credit history (15%) — Older accounts help. Don't close your oldest credit cards even if you don't use them.
Credit mix (10%) — Having both revolving credit (credit cards) and instalment credit (loans) is viewed positively.
New credit (10%) — Applying for multiple new credit products in a short period creates "hard searches" that temporarily lower your score.

How to Improve Your Credit Score

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Register on the electoral roll (UK) This is one of the fastest wins for UK residents. Being registered on the electoral roll confirms your address and can improve your score within a few weeks.

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Pay every bill on time, every month Set up direct debits for all recurring payments — utility bills, phone, subscriptions — so you never accidentally miss one.

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Reduce credit card utilisation If you have a £1,000 credit limit and owe £800, that's 80% utilisation — very high. Pay it down to under 30% (£300 or less) to see a meaningful improvement.

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Check your credit report for errors Mistakes on credit reports are more common than people realise. In the UK, check with Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion free of charge. Dispute any inaccuracies directly.

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Avoid multiple credit applications at once Each application creates a hard search on your file. Space applications at least 3 months apart if possible.

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Break financial associations with poor credit If you have a joint account with someone who has poor credit, you're financially linked. If the relationship has ended, apply for a notice of disassociation with the credit bureaus.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good credit score in the UK?

It depends on the bureau: Experian 881–960 is Good, 961+ is Excellent. Equifax 420–465 is Good, 466–700 is Excellent. TransUnion 604–627 is Good, 628–710 is Excellent. Each lender uses different bureaus and also applies their own internal scoring criteria.

How can I improve my credit score quickly?

The fastest wins are: registering on the electoral roll (UK), paying all bills on time, reducing credit card utilisation below 30%, and disputing any errors on your credit report. Some changes show up within 30–60 days.

Does checking my credit score lower it?

No. Checking your own score is a "soft search" and has zero effect on your score. Only "hard searches" from actual credit applications can temporarily lower it.

How long does bad credit stay on your file?

In the UK, most negative marks (missed payments, defaults, CCJs) stay on your credit file for 6 years from the date they were recorded, regardless of whether the debt has been paid. After 6 years, they drop off automatically.

Disclaimer: Credit score ranges can change. Always verify current ranges directly with Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion. This article is informational and does not constitute financial advice.