Professional man with a leather messenger bag climbs an outdoor staircase.

How to Get a Credit Score & Report for Free

Last Updated: September 26, 2024
2 min read

Key Points:

  1. Each credit reporting agency will provide you with one free credit report per week.

  2. You can request a free credit report online and access your report within minutes.

  3. Your bank or credit card company may provide your credit score for free.

A credit report offers a snapshot of your financial health in terms of debt management. And your credit score is like a grade for your credit report. Prospective lenders review your credit report and credit score before deciding whether to issue you credit, which can impact your ability to get assets such as a home, a credit card, and a car.

Some websites may try to charge you for a credit report. Knowing how to check your credit report and score for free can help you stay on top of your report and hang on to your hard-earned cash.

Free credit reports vs free credit scores

A credit report and credit score are different but related.

Keep in mind that there isn’t just one credit report or score. Each credit bureau will assess your credit history differently and calculate your score based on the information in your credit report. Some creditors report to one agency and not the others.

Your score will fluctuate monthly based on several factors:

  • Increasing your credit utilization ratio (the percentage of available credit you’re using)
  • Paying off debt, like your monthly credit account balance
  • Adding a new credit account, like a new credit card

Note: A credit bureau won’t typically include your credit score in your credit report.

Where to get your free credit report

Federal law allows consumers to receive one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit reporting agencies. And, beyond this law, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that the three credit bureaus have permanently extended the program to include one free report per week.

You can request your free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com (the only website authorized by the federal government). Additionally, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, you can ask for a free credit report within 60 days of being denied credit.

Getting your report if you are blind or visually impaired

If you’re visually impaired, you can get your free credit report in braille, large print, or audio formats. You just need to call 1-877-322-8228. It’s simple: you’ll need to prove your identity with some personal info and orally certify that you’re visually impaired.

Where to check your credit score for free

Many banks, credit card issuers, and loan companies offer free access to credit scores to their customers. Discover was the first major credit card to give you your FICO® Credit Score for free on your monthly statement and online.1

Did you know?

As a Discover® Cardmember, you can get your FICO® Credit Score, plus see important details that help make up your score for free.1 You will be able to check your online account, mobile app, or monthly statement to find your credit score.

Next steps

You may also be interested in

Share article

Was this article helpful?

Glad you found this useful. Could you let us know what you found helpful?
Sorry this article didn't help you. Can you give us feedback why?

Was this article helpful?

Thank you for your feedback

  1. FICO® Credit Score Terms: Your FICO® Credit Score, key factors and other credit information are based on data from TransUnion® and may be different from other credit scores and other credit information provided by different bureaus. This information is intended for and only provided to Primary account holders who have an available score. See Discover.com/FICO about the availability of your score. Your score, key factors and other credit information are available on Discover.com and cardmembers are also provided a score on statements. Customers will see up to a year of recent scores online. Discover and other lenders may use different inputs, such as FICO® Credit Scores, other credit scores and more information in credit decisions. This benefit may change or end in the future. FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the United States and other countries.

    Discover Financial Services and Fair Isaac are not credit repair organizations as defined under federal law or state law, including the Credit Repair Organizations Act. Discover Financial Services and Fair Isaac do not provide “credit repair” services or assistance regarding “rebuilding” or “improving” your credit record, credit history or credit rating.

  • Legal Disclaimer: This site is for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional advice. The material on this site is not intended to provide legal, investment, or financial advice and does not indicate the availability of any Discover product or service. It does not guarantee that Discover offers or endorses a product or service. For specific advice about your unique circumstances, you may wish to consult a qualified professional.