Credit score Canada
Explain score ranges, reporting differences, credit habits, and free checking options.
Explain score ranges, reporting differences, credit habits, and free checking options.
Explain score ranges, reporting differences, credit habits, and free checking options.
Your Canadian credit score is a three-digit number between 300 and 900 calculated by Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada. It controls every interest rate you're offered, every approval, and every credit limit. Here's everything you need — ranges, where to check it free, how the big banks see it, and how to push it up.
| Band | Range | What you qualify for |
|---|---|---|
Poor | 300–559 | Secured credit card or guarantor loan only |
Fair | 560–659 | Sub-prime auto loans and store cards (high APR) |
Good | 660–724 | Most credit cards, prime auto loans, basic mortgages |
Very Good | 725–759 | Premium credit cards, best mortgage discounts |
Excellent | 760–900 | Best mortgage rates, top-tier travel cards, highest limits |
Full breakdown with per-band rate examples: Credit score ranges explained →
Both Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada use the FICO factor weighting. Knowing which factor moves the needle the most is half the game.
Canada has two consumer credit bureaus. They each maintain a separate file on you, and your score will usually differ by 20–50 points between them — not because one is more "right" but because not every lender reports to both. Both use the 300–900 scale.
Deep dive: Equifax vs TransUnion explained →
Klarna, Afterpay, Affirm, Sezzle, PayBright — most BNPL providers in Canada now report at least some activity to Equifax or TransUnion. Missed payments can drop your score 50+ points.
Full breakdown: Does Buy Now Pay Later affect your credit score in Canada? →
Avoid stacking hard pulls in the 6 months before a mortgage. Mortgage shopping itself is treated as one inquiry if all pulls happen within ~14 days.