How to Check Your Credit Score (for Free) in 2025
Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life. It can impact whether you’re approved for a loan, the interest rate you’ll pay, and even your ability to rent an apartment or get certain jobs. If you’ve never checked your score before, you might be wondering: How do I find my credit score?
The good news? It’s easier than ever. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to check your credit score for free and what to know once you do.
1. Check with Your Bank or Credit Card Issuer
Many banks and credit card companies offer free credit score access as a built-in feature. Simply log into your online account or mobile app and look for a section labeled “Credit Score” or “Credit Insights.”
Examples of issuers that provide free scores include:
Discover (through Credit Scorecard)
Capital One (via CreditWise)
Chase (through Credit Journey)
This is one of the easiest and most reliable ways to keep tabs on your score without paying.
2. Use Free Credit Score Websites and Apps
Several trusted websites let you check your credit score for free anytime. Popular options include:
Credit Karma – Provides scores from Equifax and TransUnion, plus free credit monitoring.
Credit Sesame – Offers a free score and personalized tips for improving your credit.
Experian – Get your Experian credit score for free, updated every 30 days.
These services also provide tools to understand what factors are helping or hurting your score.
3. Request Your Free Credit Report
Your credit report and your credit score are different, but they’re closely connected. Your score is calculated based on the information in your report.
By law, you can request one free report per year from each of the three major bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com. During the pandemic, the bureaus began offering free weekly reports — a policy that continues in 2025.
⚠️ Note: Your free report usually does not include your score, but you can purchase it directly from Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion.
4. Ask Your Lender or Loan Officer
If you’re applying for a loan, mortgage, or car lease, lenders will pull your credit score as part of the approval process. You have the right to ask them which score they used and what it was.
Keep in mind: this involves a hard inquiry, which can slightly lower your score, so it’s not the best option just to “check.”
5. Understand Credit Score Versions
You might notice different numbers depending on where you check. That’s because there are multiple scoring models, with the two most common being:
FICO® Score – The industry standard used by most lenders. Learn more at myFICO.
VantageScore® – A widely used alternative found on sites like Credit Karma.
Don’t stress if your scores differ slightly — what matters most is the overall range (poor, fair, good, very good, or excellent).
Why You Should Check Your Credit Score Regularly
Catch fraud early: Reviewing your score and reports helps you spot errors or identity theft.
Plan for big purchases: Knowing your score ahead of time can help you prepare for a mortgage, car loan, or business financing.
Stay motivated: Watching your score rise as you pay off debt or build credit is rewarding.
✅ Bottom Line: If you’ve been asking yourself “Where can I check my credit score for free?” the answer is simple: start with your bank, try a free credit score app like Credit Karma, or request your report from AnnualCreditReport.com. Staying informed puts you in control of your financial future.