Independent · Canadian rules and data only · Reviewed November 4, 2026

    3 min read
    Credit

    How Credit Scores Work in Canada: Equifax, TransUnion, and What Your Number Actually Means

    Quick Answer

    Canadian credit scores run from 300 to 900 and come from Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada, based on payment history, credit utilization, age of accounts, credit mix and recent applications. Checking your own score never lowers it. Next step: get your free report and see which of these factors you can change.

    Key facts

    Score range
    Usually 300 to 900, higher is better
    Source: FCAC, modified July 1, 2026
    Equifax bands
    760 and up excellent, 725 to 759 very good, 660 to 724 good, below 560 poor
    Source: Equifax Canada, no date shown
    Approximate weights
    Payment history 35%, used credit 30%, history length 15%, credit mix 10%, inquiries 10%
    Source: Equifax Canada, no date shown
    Checking your own score
    Will not affect your credit rating
    Source: FCAC, modified July 1, 2026

    The two main credit bureaus in Canada are Equifax and TransUnion, says the FCAC. Each has its own scoring models, and Equifax says you can get different scores from the two because each bureau has more than one scoring formula and lenders usually ask for only one. So it is normal to have two different scores. Check both reports, not just one.

    Canadian credit scores are three digit numbers, usually from 300 to 900, and higher is better (FCAC). Equifax says generally 760 and up is excellent, 725 to 759 is very good, 660 to 724 is good, and below 560 is poor. Its page does not name a band for fair, so we do not either. Equifax also says the bands are general, because lenders use many different scoring models, and no single score guarantees better rates or terms. What counts as good enough depends on the product.

    Your score comes from your credit report. Equifax lists these approximate weights: payment history about 35%, used credit compared with available credit about 30%, length of credit history about 15%, credit mix about 10% and inquiries about 10%. The FCAC says payment history is the biggest factor. These are Equifax's approximate weights, and TransUnion may weigh things differently. Any tool that claims to copy a real formula, including calculators on this site, is giving you a rough guess.

    The FCAC says checking your credit report or score will not affect your credit rating. Equifax says your own request for your credit history is a soft inquiry and is not counted in your score. It says hard inquiries come from active credit seeking, such as applying for a new loan or card, and may affect your score. Soft inquiries, such as pre-approved offers, a creditor reviewing your own account and your own requests, do not.

    Every other topic in credit building or debt management, which we cover elsewhere on this site, assumes you understand this foundation first. Before comparing secured cards or reading about debt consolidation, knowing what the number means and where it comes from is the first real step.

    If your score needs improving, our comparison of credit-building cards shows which products are designed for exactly that situation.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    The FCAC says scores are usually from 300 to 900, and higher is better. Equifax says it is generally between 300 and 900.

    Equifax says each bureau has more than one scoring formula, and lenders usually ask for only one of them. The calculations differ between versions, so two different scores is normal.

    Equifax says generally 760 and up is excellent, 725 to 759 is very good, 660 to 724 is good, and below 560 is poor. It does not name a band for fair. Equifax says the bands are general and lenders use many different models, so what counts as good enough depends on the product.

    No. The FCAC says checking your credit report or score will not affect your credit rating. Equifax says your own request is a soft inquiry and is not counted in your score. Hard inquiries, from applying for credit, may affect it.

    Try it with your numbers