What Is a Good Credit Score in the UK?
Understand score ranges across Experian, Equifax and TransUnion, and discover what lenders actually look for.
There is no single definition of a “good” credit score in the UK because each of the three credit reference agencies uses a different scale. What Experian considers “good” is a completely different number from what Equifax or TransUnion would call good. To make matters more complex, lenders each have their own internal scoring systems and do not simply rubber-stamp a particular number. Understanding the ranges below will help you gauge where you stand and what products you are likely to be eligible for.
Credit Score Ranges: All Three Agencies
Experian (0–999)
| Band | Score Range | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 961–999 | Access to the best rates and highest approval chances |
| Good | 881–960 | Competitive rates; most mainstream products available |
| Fair | 721–880 | Decent options but may miss the best deals |
| Poor | 561–720 | Limited options; higher interest rates likely |
| Very Poor | 0–560 | May struggle to get approved; consider credit building |
Equifax (0–1000)
| Band | Score Range | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 811–1000 | Top-tier products and lowest borrowing costs |
| Good | 671–810 | Good range of products at competitive rates |
| Fair | 531–670 | Some products available but not the best terms |
| Poor | 439–530 | Fewer options; specialist products may be needed |
| Very Poor | 0–438 | Significant difficulty getting approved; focus on building credit |
TransUnion (0–710)
| Band | Score Range | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 628–710 | Best rates and highest likelihood of approval |
| Good | 604–627 | Strong position; most products accessible |
| Fair | 566–603 | Average; room for improvement to access better deals |
| Poor | 551–565 | Below average; consider steps to improve |
| Very Poor | 0–550 | Credit building products recommended |
What Lenders Actually Look For
Your credit score is important, but it is just one part of a lender’s decision. When you apply for a credit card, loan or mortgage, lenders typically consider the following:
Affordability
Since the FCA introduced stricter affordability rules, lenders must assess whether you can comfortably afford repayments. They review your income, essential spending, and existing debts. A high credit score alone will not guarantee approval if the affordability calculations do not add up.
Payment History
Lenders want to see a track record of on-time payments. Even one missed payment in the past six years can affect their decision, though more recent missed payments carry greater weight. Consistent, timely payments demonstrate reliability and are the strongest positive signal you can send.
Existing Debt Levels
The total amount you owe across all credit products matters. High outstanding balances, even if you are making payments on time, suggest higher risk. Lenders also look at your credit utilisation — the percentage of available credit you are using. Below 30% is generally seen as responsible.
Application Frequency
Multiple credit applications in a short period raise red flags. Each application creates a hard search on your file, and too many suggest financial difficulty. Lenders typically prefer to see no more than one or two hard searches in the past six months.
Stability
Time at your current address, time with your employer, and whether you are on the electoral roll all contribute to a picture of stability. Lenders see stability as a positive indicator that you are less likely to default.
Product-Specific Criteria
Each product has its own criteria. A mortgage lender may weigh your deposit size and property value, while a credit card provider may focus more on your existing card balances. The “good” score needed for a premium rewards card will be higher than for a basic card.
What Score Do You Need for Different Products?
While no lender publishes exact minimum scores, the table below gives a general indication of the score range that is typically needed (using the Experian scale as a reference).
| Product | Typical Score Needed (Experian) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Premium credit cards | 900+ | Rewards cards, premium cashback, travel perks |
| Best mortgage rates | 900+ | Lower LTV ratios also help secure the best deals |
| Standard credit cards | 721–900 | Balance transfer, purchase cards at competitive rates |
| Personal loans | 721–900 | Better scores mean lower APRs |
| Car finance | 650+ | Some specialist lenders accept lower scores |
| Mobile contracts | 600+ | Higher-value handsets may require better scores |
| Credit builder cards | Any | Designed for poor or no credit history |
Average UK Credit Scores
Understanding where the average UK consumer sits can help you benchmark your own position. According to data from the credit reference agencies:
- Experian: The average UK score is approximately 797, placing the typical consumer in the “fair” band
- Equifax: The average sits around 380–419, which is in the “very poor” to “poor” range on their newer scoring model
- TransUnion: The average is roughly 610, placing most people at the boundary of “good”
These averages mean that a significant portion of UK adults have room to improve their scores. Even moving from “fair” to “good” can unlock meaningfully better interest rates and broader product choice. Our guide on how to improve your credit score covers the steps you can take.
Does Your Score Differ Between Agencies?
Yes, and this is completely normal. Each agency receives data from different lenders and uses its own proprietary algorithm. You might have a “good” score with Experian but only “fair” with TransUnion. This is why it is worth checking all three. Free services make this easy:
- ClearScore — shows your Equifax score and report
- Credit Karma — shows your TransUnion score and report
- MSE Credit Club — shows your Experian score and report
If one agency shows a significantly lower score, review that report for errors or negative entries that may not appear on the others. For a deeper understanding, review our guide on how to read your credit report.
Good Score vs. Excellent Score: Does It Matter?
The practical difference between “good” and “excellent” is often smaller than you might expect. If your Experian score is 900, you will likely be offered very similar products and rates to someone with 970. The biggest jumps in what you can access come when you move from “poor” to “fair” or from “fair” to “good”.
That said, on large borrowing like mortgages, even a small rate difference adds up. A 0.2% lower rate on a £250,000 mortgage saves roughly £250 per year, or £6,250 over a 25-year term. If you are about to apply for a major credit product, it is worth reviewing the factors that affect your score and making any quick improvements first.
Good Credit Score FAQs
On the Experian scale of 0 to 999, a score of 881 or above is considered “good”, while 961 and above is “excellent”. Scores in the “good” range give you access to competitive interest rates and a high likelihood of approval for most mainstream credit products.
The average Experian credit score in the UK is approximately 797, which falls in the “fair” category. This means the average person has room for improvement. With consistent positive credit behaviour, most people can move into the “good” range within a few months.
Different lenders use different agencies. Some check just one, while others may check two or all three. You cannot know in advance which agency a lender will use, which is why it is worth monitoring your score with all three — Experian, Equifax and TransUnion.
Yes, it is possible to get a mortgage with a fair credit score, but you may face higher interest rates and need a larger deposit. Some specialist lenders cater to applicants with lower scores. Improving your score before applying can save you thousands of pounds in interest over the life of the mortgage.
While a perfect 999 is technically possible, very few people achieve it. A score of 961 or above is classified as excellent and gives you access to the best rates and products. There is no practical difference between 961 and 999 in terms of what lenders offer you.