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Credit Score vs. Credit Report — What's the Difference?
Your credit report and credit score are related but distinct — the report is the detailed record, while the score is a numerical summary calculated from that data.
Key Differences
| Factor | Credit Report | Credit Score |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Detailed record of accounts, payments, inquiries | A single number summarizing creditworthiness |
| Cost to access | Free weekly at AnnualCreditReport.com | Often free through banks/apps, sometimes paid for exact FICO |
| What it shows | Every account and detail | A calculated summary only |
Why Check Both
Your score tells you where you stand, but the report reveals the specific accounts and activity behind that number — essential for catching errors or understanding exactly what's driving your score.
Errors on Your Report Directly Affect Your Score
Since the score is calculated from report data, an error (like a late payment that wasn't actually late) directly lowers your score until corrected — regularly reviewing your report catches these issues.
Common Mistakes
Only checking your score without ever reviewing the underlying report, missing errors that could be corrected to improve your actual score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Both — the score tells you where you stand quickly, while the report reveals the specific details and potential errors that are actually driving that number.
You're entitled to a free report weekly from each of the three bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com, the only federally authorized source for free reports.