Credit Score Basics > What is the TransUnion credit score range?

What is the TransUnion credit score range?

Wollit Team2 minute read · Updated 19th September 2024

Your credit score is a big part of your financial life in the UK. It helps lenders decide if they will give you loans or credit cards and what interest rates to offer you.

In the UK, there are three main credit reference agencies that calculate your credit score, and TransUnion is one of these three (along Experian and Equifax).

Even though TransUnion is the smallest of the three, it’s still often used by most lenders. Here is what the TransUnion credit score range is, what the TransUnion bands mean for you, and how it affects your ability to get loans and mortgages.

How can I check myTransUnion score?

You can check your TransUnion credit score for free through services like Credit Karma or directly from TransUnion's website. Regularly checking your score helps you understand where you stand and what areas need improvement.

Why do different agencies have different scores?

Each credit agency has a different credit score range. TransUnion has a maximum score of 710, Experian has a maximum score of 999, and Equifax has a maximum score of 1,000.

Not only this, but each agency also uses different methods to calculate your score. Because of these differences, your score will often vary between agencies. This means that if you have a good score with one agency, it might not be the same with another.

In fact, we’ve seen many people report that Equifax is the harshest of the three, with Experian usually the most forgiving. TransUnion seems to be somewhere in the middle.

What do the TransUnion credit score bands mean?

TransUnion's credit scores range from 0 to 710. Here is what they mean:

Very Poor (0-550): If your score is in this range, lenders see you as a high risk. You may find it hard to get any form of credit.
Poor (551-565): You might get some approval, but expect high-interest rates and low borrowing limits.
Fair (566-603): This score means you can get credit, but it may not come with good terms.
Good (604-627): A good score means you're likely to be approved for loans or credit cards, though not always at the very best rates.
Excellent (628-710): If your credit score is in this band then you should be able to access the best loans and interest rates available.

How can I improve my TransUnion score?

The steps you need to take to improve your TransUnion credit score are really the same as for improving your credit score with Experian and Equifax.

Here are the most important ones:

Try to keep your total debt below 30% of your available credit limit.
Look for errors in your TransUnion credit report (you can get it for free from Credit Karma) and correct them right away.
Register to vote, as this helps verify who you are and improves your score. TransUnion will give you a bonus to your score if you keep this up to date every time you move.
Only apply for credit when necessary. Too many applications can actually lower your score, as this can make lenders think that you’re struggling.
Avoid maxing out your cards and try to pay off balances in full each month if possible.
Make payments on time, as this is one of the most important factors affecting your score.

This final tip is really the most crucial. At the end of the day, what lenders care most about is your credit history.

Luckily, now there are many apps that can help you build and improve credit.

One such app is Wollit. Wollit is an app that reports your monthly subscription as loan repayment, helping you build a history of timely repayments without the risk of getting hit with high-interest charges or going over your card limit.

Also, it can even report your monthly rent payment to Experian. While this won’t make your TransUnion credit report look better, keep in mind that most lenders do use Experian, and adding a line in your credit that shows you're responsible and pay your bills on time can be really helpful.