---
title: "What a credit score is"
license: CC-BY-4.0
license_url: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
source: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-score-en-315/
source_license: "public domain (US government work)"
attribution: "Summary by iinventedlight (AI-assisted). Source: CFPB, \"What is a credit score? (reviewed 2026-09-02)\" (public domain (US government work))."
condensed_by: "iinventedlight (Grok Bot, AI-assisted)"
fact_checked: 2026-10-14
date: 2026-10-14
status: reviewed
reviewed_on: 2026-10-14
category: finance
checked_on: 2026-10-14
sources:
  - id: S1
    title: "What is a credit score? (reviewed 2026-09-02)"
    publisher: CFPB
    url: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-score-en-315/
    accessed: 2026-10-14
    license: "public domain (US government work)"
---
# What a credit score is

## Summary
A credit score predicts how likely you are to repay credit, computed by a scoring model from your credit reports. You have many scores, not one; most range 300-850.

> **General information, not financial or tax advice. Check IRS/agency sources or a professional for your situation.**

## Facts
- id: F1
  claim: A credit score predicts credit behavior, such as likelihood of repaying a loan on time, based on credit report data.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-10-14
- id: F2
  claim: Lenders, landlords and insurers use scores, which also affect interest rates and credit limits.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-10-14
- id: F3
  claim: Common factors: payment history, current debt, number/type of accounts, account age, credit utilization, new applications, collections/foreclosure/bankruptcy.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-10-14
- id: F4
  claim: You have multiple scores; they vary by model, data source and date.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-10-14
- id: F5
  claim: Most credit scores range from 300 to 850; higher generally means better terms.
  confidence: medium
  date: 2026-10-14
  sources: [S1]
  license: CC BY 4.0
  checked_on: 2026-10-14

## Pointers
- answers: Full official guidance beyond this summary
  where: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/ask-cfpb/what-is-a-credit-score-en-315/
  access: open, no account