The average credit score in the UK

What’s the average credit score in the UK?

The three CRAs in the UK are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. They each have a scoring system, which we’ll explore in more detail further down the page.

Based on Equifax’s scoring system, the average credit score in the UK is 644. However, it’s important to bear in mind that this is the average based on information from one CRA, and doesn’t provide insight into the age range, location, or income type of this demographic. You should try not to compare your credit score to the average figures, as everyone’s financial situation is unique to them.

Average credit score in the UK by age and location

We used data provided by Experian to put together the table below, which shows the average credit score in the UK by age group across 7 major cities.

Credit score ranges for Equifax, Experian and TransUnion

You might notice that your credit score differs from one CRA to another – that’s because each CRA uses their own scoring model.

Equifax

Score Range	Rating
811 – 1,000	Excellent
671 – 810	Very good
531 – 670	Good
439 – 530	Fair
0 – 438	Poor

Ref: https://www.moneysupermarket.com/credit-score/what-is-a-good-credit-score/

Experian

Score Range	Rating
961 – 999	Excellent
881 – 960	Good
721 – 880	Fair
561 – 720	Poor
0 – 560	Very poor

Ref: https://www.experian.co.uk/consumer/experian-credit-score.html

TransUnion

Score Range	Rating
628 – 710	Excellent
604 – 627	Good
566 – 603	Fair
551 – 565	Poor
0 – 550	Very poor

Ref: https://www.totallymoney.com/free-credit-report/credit-score-range/

What’s a good credit score in the UK?

What’s considered to be a ‘good’ credit score in the UK will vary between the CRAs, based on their scoring models.

The top range score for each CRA comes with an ‘excellent’ rating, and as recorded above, is for scores between:

• 811 – 1,000 with Equifax;
• 961 – 999 with Experian; and
• 628 – 710 with TransUnion.

How can I check my credit score?

You can check your credit score with Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

Does it cost money to check your credit score?

This will depend on the CRA you use and the type of account you sign up for.

• After a 30-day free trial period, an Equifax account will cost £14.95 a month.
• With a free Experian account, your credit score will be updated every 30 days. If you’d like to make use of additional features, you could sign up for a CreditExpert account, priced at £14.99 a month after a 30-day free trial period.
• TransUnion is free to use.

Will checking my credit score cause it to decline?

No. You can check your credit score as many times as you like without harming your rating.

Why is it important to have a good credit score?

When you apply for a credit product, whether it’s a loan, credit card or mortgage, the lender will assess your ‘creditworthiness’. Your creditworthiness is based on your credit score, credit history, and your current financial circumstances.

A good credit score suggests that you have handled past credit commitments responsibly, which in turn could increase your chances of being approved to borrow credit. In addition to this, the better your credit score, the better chance you have of unlocking more desirable interest rates.

That’s not to say that people with bad credit history are automatically ruled out of being considered for credit; many lenders specialise in products for bad credit, such as loans, although please note that these could come with a higher rate of interest than a standard loan.

Of course, a credit application is not guaranteed to be accepted, regardless of your credit score.

Which CRA will lenders use to gather their information?

Lenders can use information from all three CRAs as part of their creditworthiness assessment.

Five things that could help you improve your credit score

1. Pay your bills and any existing credit commitments on time.
2. Make sure you’re on the electoral register and that your address is correct.
3. Check your credit report for errors and report any incorrect information to either your creditor or your CRA.
4. If you need to apply for credit, be mindful of the number of applications you make. Multiple applications with different providers could result in several hard searches being carried out, which will have a negative impact on your credit score.
5. Look into a credit builder credit card.

What is a credit builder credit card?

A credit builder credit card is a type of credit card that could help someone with bad credit work towards a healthier credit position. It could also be useful for individuals with limited credit history looking to build their credit profile.

How does a credit builder credit card work, and how could it help me improve my credit score?

With a manageable starting credit limit, a credit builder credit card provides users with the opportunity to increase their credit score through responsible spending and repayment habits.

1. If approved, use your credit builder credit card to make a necessary purchase that you can afford to repay.
2. Make at least the minimum repayment amount due each month until the balance has been cleared. If you can, try to make more than the minimum repayment, and if you clear your balance in full each month, you won’t be charged interest.
3. Your repayments will be reported to the CRAs, and over time, you could see an increase in your credit score.

Please note that having a credit builder credit card would be most effective when used alongside other credit-building methods, such as registering to vote and checking your credit report for errors.

Any existing bills and credit agreements should also be managed in the same responsible way.

Good to know: credit card health

If you’re thinking about applying for a credit card, it’s vital to understand how this will affect your credit score.

Possible positive effect on your credit score

• Making at least the minimum repayment amount due on your balance each month.
• Making more than the minimum repayment if you’re comfortably able to.
• Keeping your credit card utilisation below 30%. Credit card utilisation is the amount of money you’re using of your overall credit limit, and is displayed as a percentage. For example, if your credit limit is £200 and you make a £20 purchase, your credit card utilisation would be 10%.
• Staying well within your credit limit.

Possible negative effect on your credit score

• A late or missed repayment.
• A high credit card utilisation.
• Using your credit card to withdraw money from a cash machine or directly at a bank. This is known as a cash advance and could be seen as a red flag for money mismanagement.

Why choose thimbl for your credit builder credit card?

• Our team has over 120 years’ worth of combined experience, and we apply this knowledge and passion to everything we do to make the thimbl customer journey as seamless as possible.
• As of July 2025, we’ve said ‘yes’ to over 150,000 customers!
• Don’t just take our word for it; we’re proud to have over 4,500 positive customer reviews.
• You can check your eligibility for a thimbl credit card before you apply, with no impact on your credit score.*
• All credit scores welcome.

Check your eligibility for the thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card

You can check your eligibility for a thimbl credit card in just 60 seconds if you:

• Are between the ages of 18 and 70;
• Are a UK resident with at least 1 year's UK address history; 
• Are employed, with a monthly net income of at least £800;
• Have an active credit account that has been open for a minimum of 12 months; and
• Do not already hold a Zable credit card.
 

Lendable Ltd is unable to consider applications from anyone who has declared bankruptcy or is on an individual voluntary arrangement (IVA).

Worried about an upcoming payment?

If you’re worried about your finances and are concerned that you might not meet an upcoming repayment, you should contact your credit provider as soon as possible. They will talk you through any options that may be available.

Free, confidential money and debt advice can be accessed from the following organisations: StepChange, MoneyHelper, Citizens Advice, and National Debtline.

*If you’re pre-approved for a thimbl Credit Builder Credit Card and choose to make a full application, you will be directed to our trusted partner, Zable, who will carry out a creditworthiness assessment. This will consist of a hard search and a further check powered by Open Banking. A hard search will remain on your credit file for up to 12 months, and multiple hard searches within a short period of time could have a negative impact on your credit score. Zable is a trading style of Lendable Ltd, and any credit obtained upon successful application will be provided by Lendable Ltd.

Please note that pre-approval does not guarantee acceptance.