Many or all companies we feature compensate us. Compensation and editorial research influence how products appear on a page. Personal Finance How Accurate Is Credit Karma? Updated Jun 27, 2024 5-min read Written by Jeff Gitlen, CEPF® Written by Jeff Gitlen, CEPF® Expertise: Student loans, personal loans, home loans, insurance, credit cards Jeff Gitlen, CEPF®, is the director of growth at LendEDU. He graduated from the Alfred Lerner College of Business and Economics at the University of Delaware. Learn more about Jeff Gitlen, CEPF® Credit Karma is a popular tool that provides free credit scores and credit monitoring services. However, its accuracy can vary based on several factors. Credit Karma uses VantageScore 3.0 from TransUnion and Equifax, which can differ from the FICO scores most lenders use. While it provides a useful estimate of your credit health, the scores on Credit Karma might be 20 to 25 points off from your actual FICO score. Table of Contents Skip to Section Is Credit Karma accurate?Is Experian or Credit Karma more accurate?How to use Credit KarmaMore about Credit KarmaFAQ Is Credit Karma accurate? Credit Karma is a popular tool that provides free credit scores and credit monitoring services. However, its accuracy can vary based on several factors. Credit Karma uses VantageScore 3.0 from TransUnion and Equifax, which can differ from the FICO scores most lenders use. While it provides a useful estimate of your credit health, the scores on Credit Karma might be 20 to 25 points off from your actual FICO score. How accurate is Credit Karma? Credit Karma’s VantageScore 3.0 scores can differ from FICO scores because they use different scoring models. VantageScore tends to be more favorable for individuals with a short credit history because it requires only one month of activity. FICO scores, however, require at least six months of credit history. This difference means Credit Karma can sometimes show higher or lower scores than those used by lenders. Is Experian or Credit Karma more accurate? Experian offers FICO scores, which are used by 90% of top lenders, making them more reflective of the scores lenders will see. Credit Karma provides VantageScore 3.0 from TransUnion and Equifax. While both scores offer insights into your credit health, Experian’s FICO scores are generally more aligned with what lenders use to make credit decisions. FICO scoreVantageScore 3.0Score range300 – 850300 – 850History requiredAt least 6 monthsAt least 1 monthMinimum accountsAt least 1 accountAt least 1 accountLate payment impactAll late payments treated equallyMortgage late payments penalized moreInquiries consideredLast 12 monthsLast 24 monthsUsed by90% of top lendersGrowing number of lenders How to use Credit Karma Here are the steps to take if you want to use Credit Karma. 1. Sign up and set up your account Visit Credit Karma’s website: Go to Credit Karma and sign up for a free account.Provide your information: Enter your personal details, including your name, address, and Social Security number, to verify your identity.Create a strong password: Ensure your account is secure by choosing a strong, unique password. 2. Regularly check your credit scores and reports Log in frequently: Regularly log in to check your VantageScore 3.0 from TransUnion and Equifax.Review your scores: Pay attention to any significant changes in your scores. Understand that VantageScore may differ from FICO scores used by lenders. 3. Set up alerts and notifications Enable alerts: Turn on notifications for any significant changes to your credit report, such as new accounts, hard inquiries, or changes in your credit utilization.Monitor: Stay proactive by reviewing these alerts and understanding their impact on your credit scores. 4. Review your credit reports for errors Access credit reports: Click “Credit Reports” to see detailed information from TransUnion and Equifax.Identify errors: Look for any inaccuracies or discrepancies in your report, such as incorrect account information or fraudulent activity.Dispute errors: Use Credit Karma’s tools to dispute any errors with the credit bureaus. Correcting these errors can improve your credit score. 5. Use Credit Karma’s tools and resources Explore personalized recommendations: Use Credit Karma’s personalized recommendations for credit cards, loans, and other financial products that fit your credit profile.Use financial calculators: Use the platform’s various financial calculators, such as loan repayment and savings calculators, to plan your financial future. 6. Stay informed with educational resources Read articles and tips: Credit Karma offers a wealth of educational resources, including articles, tips, and guides on credit improvement and financial health.Participate in the community: Join Credit Karma’s community to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others. These steps can help you get the most out of Credit Karma, ensuring you stay informed about your credit health and make the best financial decisions possible. Can I rely solely on Credit Karma for my credit monitoring? While Credit Karma is a helpful tool for monitoring your credit, we recommend checking your FICO scores as well, especially if you are planning a major financial move, such as buying a house or car. Checking your FICO scores from the major credit bureaus can give you a more accurate picture of your credit health. How often does Credit Karma update my credit scores? Credit Karma updates your credit scores and reports from TransUnion and Equifax weekly. Regular updates can help you stay on top of any changes to your credit profile and address potential issues promptly. FAQ How many points is Credit Karma off, on average? Credit Karma scores can be off by about 20 to 25 points compared to FICO scores. The discrepancy arises because Credit Karma uses VantageScore 3.0, which calculates credit scores differently from FICO. Why are there differences between my Credit Karma score and my lender’s score? Lenders typically use FICO scores, while Credit Karma uses VantageScore 3.0 from TransUnion and Equifax. The different scoring models and the data each one uses can result in variations between the scores. How can I improve the accuracy of my Credit Karma score? To improve the accuracy of your Credit Karma score, ensure that your credit reports with TransUnion and Equifax are up-to-date and error-free. Regularly check for discrepancies and address any inaccuracies right away. Does checking my score on Credit Karma affect my credit? No, checking your credit score on Credit Karma does not affect your credit. Credit Karma performs a soft inquiry, which does not impact your credit score. This allows you to monitor your credit regularly without any negative effects.