What Is a Credit Report?
A credit report is a detailed record of a person's borrowing history kept by a credit bureau. It typically lists credit accounts, balances, credit limits, payment history, recent credit inquiries, and some public records. Lenders review it, and credit scores are calculated from its information.
Credit Report vs. Credit Score
The report is the underlying data; the score is a number derived from it. In the United States, the three nationwide bureaus are Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, and consumers can request free copies of their reports.
Errors
Consumers can dispute inaccurate information with the bureau that reports it.
🧮 Calculate It Yourself
Put Credit Report into practice with these free calculators — no sign-up, nothing stored.
🔗 Related Terms
More Loans & Credit Terms
- Amortization
- APR (Annual Percentage Rate)
- Auto Loan
- Balance Transfer
- Balloon Payment
- Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL)
📖 Browse all glossary terms or explore all free calculators.
Last updated: September 27, 2026. This definition is for general educational purposes only. It is not financial, investment, tax, legal, or medical advice, and it does not recommend any product or course of action. For decisions about your own situation, consult a qualified professional.