What is a good credit score?

Key takeaways

• Lenders are more likely to grant higher credit limits to individuals with good credit scores 

• Each credit reference agency has a different score banding, so 'good' can change from agency to agency 

• If you have no credit history, it takes around six months after opening a credit account to establish a score 

• Building a high credit score may take a few years 

What is a good credit score?

What counts as a good credit score depends on which credit reference agency you use, as each has its own scoring system. As a general guide: 

• Equifax: 531 to 670 is considered good, while 811 to 1,000 is excellent

• Experian: 861 to 1,000 is considered good, while 1,121 to 1,250 is excellent

• MoneySuperMarket powered by TransUnion: 604 to 627 is considered good, while 628 to 710 is excellent

It’s important to note that credit scoring has recently changed. TransUnion is rolling out a new 0–999 score from September 2026, but not all its partners have migrated to the new system yet. These include MoneySuperMarket, and we currently still use the previous 0–710 scoring system.  

Experian has also introduced a new score ranging from 0 to 1,250, although some of its partners may still show the older 0–999 score. 

Credit score ranges by credit reference agency 

TransUnion (as used by MoneySuperMarket) (0-710)

Equifax (0-1000)

Experian (0-999)

How is my score calculated? 

Various factors influence credit scores, and credit reference agencies use a combination of publicly available information and data from lenders to determine your score. Our guide explains more on this topic. 

Related: What is a bad credit score?

What are the benefits of a good credit score? 

A good credit score signals to lenders that you’re a responsible borrower. That means your credit applications are likely to be more successful and your eligibility for credit cards, loans, mortgages and mobile phone contracts should improve.

Here are some of the benefits of a good credit score:   

• The ability to borrow more if you need to: Lenders will typically grant higher credit limits   

• Lower interest rates: Every pound borrowed will be less expensive to pay back, for example, you may see a loan advertised at 6% APR, but someone with a poor credit rating could be offered the same loan at 30%  

• More options: The best deals on credit cards, loans, mortgages and even current account overdrafts are usually offered to those with the highest credit ratings  

What affects whether I have a good credit score? 

Your credit score is calculated by a credit reference agency, based on information in your credit report. When you apply for a credit card, loan or mortgage, lenders may use your credit score alongside information on your application and any information they already hold about you to help decide whether to lend. 

Whether you have a good credit score or not is affected by several factors. These include:  

• Payment history: Paying your bills on time consistently, can strengthen your credit score. But if you don’t keep up with your payments, your credit score will go down. Late payments, CCJs, bankruptcy and accounts in arrears are considered a negative and can stay on your file for up to six years. 

• Credit utilisation ratio: Your credit utilisation ratio is expressed as a percentage and is calculated by dividing the amount you’re borrowing by your credit limit. A lower utilisation ratio is usually better because it shows you’re not financially stretched.   

• Length of credit history: A limited or non-existent credit history can contribute to a low credit score, as lenders don’t have anything to determine how well you use credit. Whereas a long history of using credit cards responsibly can give you a good credit score.  

• New credit: When you apply and open a new account, your credit history is reviewed – which leads to a ‘hard search’ on your credit file. These ‘hard searches’ show up on your file and other lenders can see them. If you have lots of searches on your file in a short space of time, it can lower your credit score because it could indicate to lenders that you’re desperate to borrow and keep getting turned down.   

• Type of credit: Having a mixture of credit accounts, such as cards, loans and a mortgage, can improve your score. This is because it shows lenders you can use credit responsibly. But this doesn’t mean you should take out a loan just to boost your rating.

How do lenders check if I can afford credit?   

Lenders assess affordability by looking at your income, regular outgoings and existing debts to determine whether you can comfortably afford the repayments.  

They may check information on your credit report, including your existing credit commitments and payment history, and may ask for details such as your salary and household expenses on your application.  

Each lender has its own affordability criteria, so meeting one lender’s requirements doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be accepted by another. 

How can I get a good credit score? 

While there is no quick fix, there are various ways to improve your credit rating over time. These are our top tips:

1. Register on the electoral roll: One of the easiest ways to boost your score is making sure you’re on the electoral roll. It takes minutes and it’s free to register on the Electoral Commission website.  

2. Demonstrate financial stability: Avoid missing repayments, pay your bills on time, and stay within your credit limit.

3. Don't use all your available credit: A low credit utilisation ratio suggests to lenders that you’re managing your credit accounts responsibly and aren’t overstretching your finances.

4. Check your credit report and correct errors: Review your report regularly to check all the information held about you is accurate and dispute any errors if you spot them.

5. Cut financial links with previous partners: Holding a joint financial product can influence a lender’s decision. Ask credit rating agencies to add a ‘notice of disassociation’ to your file if you have cut ties with an ex-partner.    

6. Consider a credit builder card: Prove you can manage your debts sensibly and it could grow your credit score. Interest rates on credit cards for low credit scores are generally high so only consider this option if you can keep your borrowing under control. 

For more tips, check out what steps you can take to improve your credit score.

Do I have to have a good credit score to get a mortgage or credit card? 

It is generally easier to get a mortgage, credit card or loan if you have a good credit score. However, lenders will still assess your finances and other information before deciding whether to approve your application. A good credit score can help, but it doesn’t guarantee you’ll be accepted. 

If you have a poor credit score, or haven’t been able to improve it, you may still be able to take out a credit card, personal loan or mortgage. 

In these circumstances, lenders may look more closely at your finances, including your payment history, current financial situation and previous experience of managing credit and debt. 

This may mean the application process takes longer, and you may need to provide more information or supporting documents before a lender can make a decision. 

How long will it take to get a good credit score? 

How long it takes to build a good credit score varies depending on your starting position. 

If you have no history of any credit, it can take around six months from opening a credit account, such as a loan or credit card, before you get a score. From there, you will need to show you can repay any credit used responsibly and take out further lines of credit to boost your score. 

Building a high credit score can take a few years. It will also be improved by paying back a mortgage over time and ensuring you always pay your credit card bill on time. 

Other helpful guides 

For more information about managing your credit score, have a look at more of our useful guides, including...

• How to improve your credit score

• What affects your credit score?

• What to do if you fail a credit check

Check your score for free with MoneySuperMarket 

With MoneySuperMarket’s free Credit Score, you can check your score quickly and easily, without paying a penny. Keep track of your score over time, see what’s affecting it and get tips on how you could improve it.