What credit score do mortgage lenders use?
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Short answer
Mortgage lenders typically review credit scores built from the three nationwide bureau files — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Fannie Mae says you should check those reports so you can correct errors that might affect eligibility. The CFPB says you do not have just one ; lenders may use different scoring models. No single model or number is a national requirement.
Full explanation
Fannie Mae says most lenders look at scores from all three nationwide credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — as part of the application review. The three reports can differ, so the scores can differ.
The CFPB says you do not have just one credit score. Each score depends on the data used, the scoring model, the source of the file, and even the day it was calculated. A score you see on a card statement or a website may not be the same score a mortgage lender later uses.
Reviewing the reports themselves matters because an error can affect whether a lender will make the loan. Ask the lender which bureau files it pulled and which scoring model it used. This page does not name one required mortgage score, treat one model as universal, or publish a shopping-inquiry window. Inquiry display on a is also different from how a scoring model treats those inquiries.
Sources reviewed
What is a credit score?
Financial Basics Frequently Asked Questions
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Educational summary of public sources. Not personalized advice. The original official source controls where applicable.
Last reviewed
September 10, 2026
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