If you’ve ever checked your credit scores with all three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—you probably noticed they’re rarely identical. Here’s why it’s normal (and expected!) for your scores to be different between bureaus.

Why Your Credit Scores Differ

1. Different Credit Scoring Models

Each bureau can use different scoring models, like various versions of FICO or VantageScore. Even if two bureaus use the “same” model (for example, FICO Score 8), each has its own slight variations and proprietary settings. Lenders and monitoring services might use different models, too, leading to score variations.

2. Not All Lenders Report to Every Bureau

Creditors (banks, credit card companies, lenders, etc.) aren’t required to report your account activity to all three bureaus. Some might only report to one or two. As a result, an account (or a missed payment, new loan, or credit inquiry) might show up on only one report, but not on the others, resulting in different scores.

3. Timing Differences

Each bureau updates your credit data on its own schedule. If a lender or credit card company reports a payment or balance to Equifax this week and to TransUnion next week, your scores may differ simply because one bureau is working with more recent information.

4. Data Entry or Reporting Errors

Small errors—like name variations (Robert vs. Bob), incorrect account details, or even merged credit files—can cause differences between the information each bureau has for you, leading to varying scores.

5. Unique Data Handling Methods

Each bureau uses slightly different weighting or formulas, and some even accept additional data (like certain rental payments) that others don’t. Some bureaus may remove negative marks at different times. This means the exact same financial behavior might be scored or viewed a little differently by each agency.

What Can You Do?

Review all three credit reports regularly to check for errors or missing information.
Dispute inaccuracies directly with the bureau that has the incorrect data.
Understand that variations are normal: Minor differences (a few points) are common. Large differences (over 100 points) may signal an error worth investigating.

Bottom line:
Your credit scores vary because each bureau receives, processes, and scores your financial data in its own way. Lenders might use any of these scores (or averages/middle scores) when making decisions, so it’s important to keep all three bureau reports in good shapeshape