Check my credit score > What does a score of 436 on ClearScore mean?

What does a score of 436 on ClearScore mean?

Wollit Team4 minutes read · Updated 22nd April 2025

A score of 436 on ClearScore puts you in their lowest credit score range, called “Poor.”

It’s important to know that your ClearScore rating comes from Equifax, the UK’s second-largest credit reference agency.

Equifax is one of the three main such agencies, along with Experian and TransUnion. Each agency uses its own method to calculate your credit score, which is why your score may be different on Experian than on ClearScore. This doesn’t mean one score is better or more accurate – different lenders rely on different agencies, so it’s a good idea to monitor all of them.

One more thing to keep in mind: these agencies split their scores into bands to help explain how lenders view you.

A “Poor” credit score is the lowest rating Equifax gives, which you’ll see on ClearScore if your score is 438 or below. Experian and TransUnion have a similar band, but they call it “Very Poor.” Their “Poor” band is one step higher.

How bad is a 436 ClearScore rating?

On ClearScore, a “Poor“ credit score can mean a couple of things: maybe you had trouble managing debt in the recent past; you might have even had a court judgment issued against you; or maybe you’re new to credit and there’s not enough data to get a clear picture of how you behave as a borrower.

It’s also worth noting that Equifax (where ClearScore gets your score from) has been reported to be somewhat harsher than Experian or TransUnion. We’ve seen plenty of questions from people who had a “Poor” score on Equifax and “Good” score on Experian. This is why it’s important to check all three of your credit files and make sure that what’s in them is correct.

In any case, having a “Poor“ credit score, also known as “bad credit,“ can make life difficult. It becomes much harder to get approved for loans, pass credit checks, or even secure a mobile phone contract. Lenders see you as a high-risk borrower, and very few will be willing to offer you any kind of credit.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Most lenders will reject your credit application if your ClearScore rating is below 438.
• In rare cases, if you do get approved, it will usually be from a small group of lenders offering “bad credit loans.”
• These loans come with extremely high interest rates. It’s not unusual for the APR to be over 1,000% per year for bad credit loans.
• You’ll also have to repay them quickly, as most are payday loans that need to be paid back within 30 days.
• If you’re looking to rent, letting agencies might ask for a larger deposit.
• When opening a bank account, don’t hope for an overdraft option. Most banks will only give you access to a basic account.
• You might not be able to get a mobile phone contract, especially one that includes a phone. Since this counts as a loan for the phone’s value, the mobile company will run a credit check just like other lenders.

How to improve a ClearScore score of 436?

If your credit score is between 436, it’s important to avoid making more credit mistakes or taking on debt you can’t afford.

Here are some tips:

• Ask friends or family for emergency cash first. It’s a good idea to treat these loans more formally by setting a deadline to repay them and possibly agreeing on a decent interest rate. Make every effort to not damage your relationships. If you need a larger loan, you could also ask them to be your guarantors.
• Don’t apply for new credit unless it’s absolutely necessary. Every new credit application causes a “hard credit check,“ which temporarily lowers your score. Use eligibility checkers to see your chances of approval before applying.
• If your bad credit is due to something outside your control (like a job loss that led to a one-time default), consider adding a Notice of Correction to your credit report. This is a short 200-word explanation that lets lenders know why the negative mark is there. It won’t improve your score, but it may help lenders understand your situation and show compassion.

Also, be patient – it takes time for your credit to improve. In the meantime, work on rebuilding your credit. Apps like Wollit can help with this.

Wollit rebuilds your credit by reporting your monthly subscription as loan repayments to the three major credit agencies, including Equifax, which ClearScore uses. This strengthens your credit history, which is the most important factor for your score.

While it won’t fix things overnight, with time, this will help reduce the impact of past mistakes or a thin credit history on your Equifax file. With some effort and just a bit of patience, you’ll get there.