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 meant credit scores for many people changed in early 2026.
- Your score may have gone up or down, but there's no need to panic.
- Track your free credit score through Finder and take control of your money.
Credit scores went through a major change in 2026.
Credit scores from Experian 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 had been planned since Experian acquired rival credit score provider illion in late 2024.
Since 1 April 2026, illion and Experian have operated as a single credit reporting body under the Experian name, and Finder members now see their updated Experian score.
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 have been 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 applies now, and the old range Experian used previously. As you can see, the scale now runs to 1,200 and the ranges for Excellent, 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 | 800-1,200 | 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 is now 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 illion following the acquisition.
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 appear automatically in your Finder account, and are visible on our website 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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