2026 credit score changes: What you need to know
How your new score is calculated and ranked, and how you can keep track of it for free.
Key takeaways
- Updated calculations mean credit scores for many people will change in early 2026.
- Your score could go up or down, but there's no need to panic.
- Track your free credit score through Finder and take control of your money.
There's a major change coming to credit scores in 2026.
Credit scores from Experian will now use a new and improved unified credit score reporting system.
Experian is the source Finder uses to provide our members with free tracking of their credit score.
The change has been planned for since Experian acquired rival credit score provider illion in late 2024.
You'll start seeing the updated Experian scores through Finder in March 2026.
What does this mean for my credit score?
Credit scores now use a brand-new scoring model that draws on a larger set of credit information, meaning that most scores will be recalculated. The "bands" which credit scores are grouped into - Excellent, Great, Good, Fair and Low - have also changed.
This table shows the five main credit score bands, the new range that will apply from March 2026, and the old range that was previously used. As you can see, the ranges for Good, Fair and Low have all changed. That means even if your score stays the same, it might move into a different band.
| Score band | New range | Old range |
|---|---|---|
| Excellent | 800-1,000 | 800-1,000 |
| Great | 700-799 | 700-799 |
| Good | 500-699 | 625-699 |
| Fair | 300-499 | 550-624 |
| Low | 0-299 | 0-549 |
The key lesson? If your score looks different or drops slightly, don't worry—this is completely normal and expected. It doesn't mean your creditworthiness has suddenly changed. It's just a new way of calculating your score, using a more complete picture of your financial history.
What does this mean for your credit report?
You can also access your credit report through Finder, and you may notice changes there too.
Your credit report will now be more comprehensive. You might notice some older credit enquiries (like past applications for loans or credit cards) or accounts that weren't previously visible on your Experian report. These aren't new; they've just been brought over from ilion following the merger.
Having a combined report is a good thing, as it gives lenders a more accurate and balanced view of your credit health.
What do I need to do about this change?
You don't need to do anything. Your updated score and report will automatically update in your Finder account, and be visible on our web site or through the Finder app.
We recommend checking your credit score and report every month to ensure everything looks right. If you spot any older information that you believe is genuinely incorrect, you can raise a correction request with that specific lender. We've got a detailed step-by-step guide on how to do that.
How can I improve my credit score?
The key steps to improving your credit score are:
- Paying off any existing credit card or personal loan debt
- Paying your bills on time
- Closing any unused credit cards and accounts
Check out our full guide to improving your credit score for more tips.
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