Free Credit Score Simulator Weighs Credit Moves - NerdWallet (2024)

A credit score simulator estimates how various financial decisions may help or hurt your scores. You might want to use a simulator if you are wondering:

  • What might happen if you open a new credit card account.

  • How adding a car loan or mortgage might change your scores.

  • How paying down your balances or building a record of on-time payments might influence your scores.

Credit reports and scores are as individual as fingerprints. The same financial action may have different effects on different people’s scores, depending on the specific information in their credit reports. The effects may also vary slightly depending on which credit scoring company, FICO or VantageScore, is providing the score.

A simulator gives you an idea of what to expect before you take an action, but it may not reflect exactly what happens to your scores when you do. More on that below.

You can find credit score simulators on most websites that offer free scores. NerdWallet provides a free credit score simulator as part of its free credit score offering; once you sign up it uses the information in your TransUnion credit report to estimate how various transactions might affect your VantageScore 3.0.

Note that running a simulation doesn't impact your actual score, so you can try out various actions to test their potential effects.

What to expect with a credit score simulator

Your results will be estimates — not predictions. A credit score simulator is accurate in that it can help you explore the potential impact of an action, but it can’t guarantee that the results would be the same as in the real world.

Various factors — the length of your credit history, the different types of credit accounts you have, your history of on-time payments and your credit limits — can influence how a new transaction might affect your scores. For example, closing a credit card may damage the scores of a person who has one or two credit accounts, but not the scores of someone who has several accounts.

A credit score simulator reflects what happens in real life: Generally, the higher your scores, the more points you may lose when bad things happen and the longer it can take the scores to recover. The good news is that damage to your scores isn’t permanent and you can take steps to rebuild your credit and reach a good credit score.

Get more financial clarity with NerdWallet

Monitor your credit, track your spending and see all of your finances together in a single place.

Free Credit Score Simulator Weighs Credit Moves - NerdWallet (2)

Other tools to check your financial health

Simulating score changes is only one tool to take the pulse of your credit and help make financial decisions. A significant factor in your credit score is what portion of your overall credit you’re using, and a credit utilization calculator can show you how much you owe versus your overall limits.

If you’re thinking about applying for more credit, calculate your debt to income ratio — a factor lenders consider in approval decisions.

Good financial health often begins with knowing exactly where your money is going. A budget calculator can help you see how much you're spending and set priorities. A savings goal calculator can help you know how much to put away each month for long-term success.

And checking your overall financial health score on NerdWallet can give you a deeper view of your money situation.

Free Credit Score Simulator Weighs Credit Moves - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

Is the NerdWallet credit simulator accurate? ›

You'll find the credit simulator toward the bottom of the Credit report section of your account. Note that these predicted score changes are only estimates, offered for educational purposes. They will not actually affect your score or report, and are not guaranteed.

What is the most accurate free credit score site? ›

Generally, Credit Karma is the overall best site in terms of getting free credit scores and free credit reports.

How rare is a 780 credit score? ›

A 780 FICO® Score is above the average credit score. Borrowers with scores in the Very Good range typically qualify for lenders' better interest rates and product offers. 25% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Very Good range.

How to get 800 900 credit score? ›

Here are eight helpful tips.
  1. Maintain a consistent payment history. ...
  2. Monitor your credit score regularly. ...
  3. Keep old accounts open and use them sporadically. ...
  4. Report your on-time rent and utility payments. ...
  5. Increase your credit limit when possible. ...
  6. Avoid maxing out your credit cards. ...
  7. Balance your credit utilization.

Is Credit Karma better than NerdWallet? ›

Consider whether your primary concern is tracking your finances or managing your credit score. Credit Karma is likely the best option for you if your primary concern is managing or improving your credit score. If your primary concern is budgeting and finance tracking, NerdWallet is likely the better choice.

What app tells you your real credit score? ›

With myFICO, you can view and monitor your FICO Scores and credit reports right from your fingertips. You'll get alerts on your iOS device when changes are detected. Certain features are available only with eligible myFICO subscriptions.

Which of the 3 credit scores is most accurate? ›

The primary credit scoring models are FICO® and VantageScore®, and both are equally accurate. Although both are accurate, most lenders are looking at your FICO score when you apply for a loan.

What is the most trusted site for credit score? ›

different credit bureaus available in India
  • transunion CIBIL score. ...
  • equifax credit score checker. equifax gives portfolio scores and risk scores along with credit scores that usually range from 1 to 999 for individuals. ...
  • experian credit score report. ...
  • CRIF high mark credit score checker.

What is considered a very good FICO number? ›

Generally speaking, a good credit score is 690 to 719 in the commonly used 300-850 credit score range. Scores 720 and above are considered excellent, while scores 630 to 689 are considered fair. Scores below 630 fall into the bad credit range.

What is the average American's credit score? ›

What is the average credit score? The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850.

Is a 900 credit score possible? ›

Highlights: While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.

Who has a 999 credit score? ›

A credit score of 999 from Experian is the highest you can get. It usually means you don't have many marks on your credit file and are very likely to be accepted for a loan or credit card.

What is a good credit score to buy a house? ›

It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly mortgage payments.

What credit card has $5000 limit with bad credit? ›

The U.S. Bank Altitude Go Visa Secured Card is the best option if you have limited/poor credit and are looking for a high credit limit. You can deposit anywhere from $300 to $5,000, making your maximum credit limit available $5,000.

Who has had the highest credit score? ›

Pavelka, 56, has a credit score of 848 out of 850. The letter he got from the credit bureau recently said his score "ranks higher than 100 percent of U.S. consumers." That makes Pavelka a financial anomaly. While an 848 isn't a perfect score, it's as high as most experts have ever seen.

Are simulated credit scores accurate? ›

Your results will be estimates — not predictions. A credit score simulator is accurate in that it can help you explore the potential impact of an action, but it can't guarantee that the results would be the same as in the real world.

How accurate is NerdWallet? ›

Is NerdWallet accurate? The accuracy of the information displayed is entirely dependent on the accounts you link with NerdWallet. To see the most accurate information, connect all of your bank accounts, credit cards, loans, and your home value, where applicable.

Why is my NerdWallet credit score different? ›

NerdWallet currently offers the VantageScore from TransUnion, but you might have seen your FICO score somewhere else. They both use roughly the same information, but the scoring models are different – which means the scores could be, too.

What is the best platform for credit score? ›

transunion cibil members include all the major financial institutes, lenders, nbfcs, and banks, etc.
  • equifax credit score checker. equifax gives portfolio scores and risk scores along with credit scores that usually range from 1 to 999 for individuals. ...
  • experian credit score report. ...
  • CRIF high mark credit score checker.

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