SCORE8 | FICO Score 8 and Why There Are Multiple Versions of FICO Scores

Fico Score8 versions include both model updates and industry-specific FICO Scores. At myFICO, we offer the FICO Score versions that most lenders use to make credit decisions.

Did you know you have more than one FICO^® Score8?

Since FICO^® Scores were introduced to lenders over 25 years ago, they have become the best-known and most widely used credit score. But quite a bit has changed since lenders first started using FICO Scores in 1989. Lender credit-granting requirements, data reporting practices, consumer demand for credit and consumer use of credit have all evolved.

To help lenders make more informed credit-granting decisions, and to help ensure you get access to the credit you need, the FICO^® Score model has been updated periodically over the years. As an example, we use credit much more frequently than we used to. FICO^® Scores have been updated to reflect this change in behavior. If we didn't, seemingly normal credit usage today would be considered a higher risk than in years past.The result is that there are multiple FICO Score versions available, in addition to the most widely used version, FICO Score 8.

How do lenders use new FICO^® Scores?

When a new FICO^® Score version like FICO Score 10 or FICO Score 10 T is developed, we release it to the market.

From there, each lender determines if and when it will upgrade to the latest version. Some lenders make the upgrade quickly, while others may take longer. This is why some lenders are currently using different versions of the FICO^® Score. As an example, FICO Score 5 at Equifax is the FICO Score version previous to FICO Score 8 at Equifax.

Other FICO^® Score versions, including industry-specific auto and bankcard versions, are also included in the FICO Score products on myFICO.com so you can see what most lenders see when looking at your scores.