What Your Credit Score Range Really Means In Canada

Knowing where your credit lies on the credit score range is important. Depending on your scores and ranking, you may receive lower interest rates and may be more likely to be approved for loans and other credit products. There are two different credit reporting bureaus in Canada, Equifax and Transunion. Each has its own approach to determining scores. Generally, a credit company or lender will look at both your credit score and your credit report, as well as a variety of other factors (employment status, income, debt levels etc.) to determine your creditworthiness. You are the only one who can improve your credit scores, this makes understanding your credit that much more important.

What Is A Good Credit Score In Canada?

Good credit scores in Canada are usually 680 or higher. Of course, there are many different types of credit scores and scoring models. This means that what one lender considers to be a “good” credit score will not be the same for another lender. Furthermore, the credit scores a lender sees are different from those that you might have access to. Additionally, your Equifax credit scores might be different from your TransUnion scores.

Canadian Credit Scores And What They Mean

There is no definitive model for what certain credit scores mean to all lenders and creditors. One lender may consider credit scores of 760 to be excellent, while another may consider scores above 780 to be excellent. It all depends on what scoring model that specific lender uses and how they use it during their approval process. That being said, if you’re interested in knowing what your credit scores mean, here are some general guidelines that can help.

Excellent (Scores 760+) – Individuals with a rate of 760 or over may enjoy the best interest rates on the market. They also will typically always be approved for a loan.
Very Good (Scores 759 – 725) – This is considered near perfect and individuals with a rate in this range may still enjoy some of the best rates available.
Good (Scores 724 – 660) – An individual who has credit scores that fall within this range has good credit and will typically have little to no trouble getting approved for the new credit.
Fair (Scored 659 – 560) – Scores in this range indicate that the individual is a higher risk. It may be difficult to obtain loans and if approved, they will be offered higher interest rates.
Poor (Scores 559 – 300) – Credit scores that fall in this range may indicate that a consumer has trouble making payments on time or is in the process of building their credit history.

Factors That Can Affect The Calculation Of Your Credit Scores

There are five main factors that can affect the calculation of credit scores. If you’re interested in improving your credit, understanding what these factors are can help you create a plan to build healthy credit habits.

1. Payment History (~35%)

How you manage your payments is one important factor used during the calculation of your credit scores. This includes how many accounts you have open as well as all the positive and negative information about these accounts. For example, if you make payments on time or late, how often you make late payments, how late the payments were, how much you owe, and whether or not any accounts are delinquent.

2. Outstanding Debt (~30%)

Sometimes referred to as a credit utilization ratio, many credit scoring models take into account how high your balance is compared to your total available credit limit. Specifically when it comes to revolving credit, for examples credit cards and lines of credit.

3. Length Of Credit History (~15%)

Your credit file includes how old your credit accounts are and will influence the calculation of your credit scores. The importance of this factor will differ depending on the scoring models, but generally speaking, how long your oldest and newest accounts have been open is important.

4. Public Records (~10%)

Public records include bankruptcies, collection issues, liens, lawsuits, etc. Having these types of public records on your credit report may have a negative effect on your credit scores.

5. Inquires (~10%)

When a creditor or lender checks your credit file (because they are in the process of extending credit to you) it is called an inquiry and is noted in your credit report. These types of credit inquiries (also called hard checks), can impact the calculation of your credit scores.

Additional Reading

How To Read Your Credit Report

Your credit reports contain both personal information and financial information. Your credit reports illustrate who you are as a borrower, both the good and the bad. Checking it allows you to keep an eye on your accounts, make sure there are no errors, and even potentially prevent the damaging effects of fraud. A credit report is the report card of your credit life and understanding how to read it can help you take control of your credit and be prepared for any of your future credit needs.

What Information Appears On Your Credit Reports?

Depending on which credit report you check, from Equifax or TransUnion, you may see any combination of the following information.

Personal Information

Name
Date of birth
Current and previous address(s)
Current and previous phone number(s)
Social insurance number (SIN)
Driver’s licence information
Passport number
Current and previous employer(s)

Credit Information

Credit accounts and their transaction, including credit cards (retail as well), personal loans, car loans, lines of credit
Cell phone and internet accounts
Credit requests from creditors, lenders, landlords or employers
Bankruptcy, consumer proposals, consolidation, and debt management programs
Legal judgements
Liens
Credit accounts in collections
Closed accounts because of fraud committed by the account holder
Fraud alerts
Identity verification

Each of your credit accounts will be given a rating that includes a letter and a number.

Letters

Installment	(I)	Accounts that receive an “I” are installment-style accounts that are paid off in predetermined fixed amounts. For example, a car loan.
Open	(O)	Accounts that receive an “O” are open, meaning you have an open credit account. An example is a credit card bill that you pay at the end of the month.
Revolving	(R)	Accounts that receive an “R” are considered revolving credit because your payments change based on how much of your limit you borrow. A credit card may receive an “R”.
Mortgage	(M)	Depending on the credit bureau you pull your report from, your mortgage may or may not show up. If it does, it may be represented by an “M” or potentially an “I” for installment.

Loans Canada Lookout

LOOKING OUT FOR YOUR BEST INTEREST

Are Free Credit Scores The Real Deal?

0	Account is too new to rate
1	Account has been paid off as agreed
2	Late by 31-59 days
3	Late by 60-89 days
4	Late by 90-119 days
5	Late by more than 120 days
6	This number is not assigned a value
7	Account is associated with consolidation, consumer proposal, or debt management program
8	Account associated with a repossession
9	Account is in collections or bankruptcy

Credit Score Range FAQs

What is a bad credit score in Canada?

In Canada, your credit scores can range from 300 to 900. If you have a credit score below 560 or, it means you have poor credit in the eyes of some lenders and creditors. While a bad credit score can affect your ability to access affordable credit products, it doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it. You can work on improving your credit scores by reducing your credit utilization ratio and by paying your bills on time.

Can I get a free credit score in Canada?

In Canada, consumers can get their credit scores for free from a number of different companies. Equifax offers free credit scores across Canada and TransUnion offers them in Quebec. Many of the major banks offer their clients free credit scores. If your bank does not, you can get your score for free from a third-party provider like Mogo, Borrowell, or Credit Karma.

How can I improve my credit score in Canada?

All credit scores react differently. What helps improve your score may not work for someone else. With that being said, always make your payments on time, and keep your credit utilization ratio low by paying off your credit cards twice a month or by increasing your available limit.

What credit score do I need to get a mortgage?

In order to get approved for a mortgage from a major financial institution in Canada, you should aim to have a credit score of at least 660. If your credit score is lower, you may want to consider waiting to improve your credit or applying for a mortgage from an alternative lender.

Is 700 a good credit score?

Yes, a credit score of 700 falls under the “good” credit score range. Remember that lenders and creditors view credit scores ranges differently. Good credit means different things to different creditors.

Credit Improvement

The good news is that the health of your credit is completely in your hands and you have the power to improve it simply through the way you manage your credit products. Responsible use of your credit cards and loans, over time, can improve your credit score and therefore allow you to qualify for other larger loans, for example, a mortgage, in the future.

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Caitlin Wood

Caitlin is a graduate of Dawson College and Concordia University and has been working in the personal finance industry for over eight years. She believes that education and knowledge are the two most important factors in the creation of healthy financial habits. She also believes that openly discussing money and credit, and the responsibilities that come with them can lead to better decisions and a greater sense of financial security. One of the main ways she’s built good financial habits is by budgeting and tracking her spending through the YNAB budgeting app. She also automates her savings so she never forgets to put aside a portion of her income into her TFSA. She believes investing and passive income is key to earning financial freedom. She also uses her Aeroplan TD credit card to collect Aeroplan points so that she can save money when she travels.