VantageScore 4.0 Is Now a Mortgage Score: Check Your VantageScore Free
Updated October 1, 2026 · By Dan Frio, Mortgage Loan Originator, NMLS #246527
Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
For decades, almost every home loan ran on FICO. That’s changing. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now accept VantageScore 4.0 for the mortgages they buy, which means a credit score many borrowers have never looked at can now help decide whether they qualify and what rate they get.
The good news: you can see your VantageScore today, free, in about two minutes.
Check your VantageScore free with Credit Karma
- Free VantageScore credit scores from TransUnion and Equifax
- No credit card required
- Checking your own score never lowers it
- Free alerts when something changes on your report
What changed for mortgages
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), which oversees Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, approved VantageScore 4.0 as an option for mortgage lenders alongside classic FICO. VantageScore 4.0 can count things like rent and utility payment history when it’s reported, and it’s designed to score more people who have thin credit files.
What that means for you:
- More ways to qualify. People with limited credit history may get a score where they couldn’t before.
- Your scores can differ. Your VantageScore and FICO score are calculated differently, so they won’t always match.
- Your lender chooses. Not every lender uses VantageScore 4.0 yet. Ask which score yours pulls.
See the difference at a glance
VantageScore 3.0 vs. 4.0: which one does Credit Karma show?
Credit Karma shows VantageScore 3.0. Mortgage lenders that use VantageScore use version 4.0, and many still use older FICO versions. The scores won’t be identical, but your free VantageScore 3.0 is a good way to see where you stand, spot errors and track your progress before you apply.
Thinking about buying or refinancing?
Before you apply, get a clear picture of the scores a lender will actually pull and what it would take to reach a better rate. With 38 years in mortgage lending, I can review your credit with you and show you which moves will help most.
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Frequently asked questions
Is VantageScore 4.0 used for mortgages now?
Yes. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac now accept VantageScore 4.0, though each lender decides when to start using it. Many still pull FICO scores.
Is Credit Karma’s score a VantageScore?
Yes. Credit Karma shows free VantageScore 3.0 scores from TransUnion and Equifax.
Will checking my score on Credit Karma hurt my credit?
No. Checking your own score is a soft inquiry and never affects your credit score.
Why is my VantageScore different from my FICO score?
The two models weigh your credit history differently, and lenders may use different versions. Differences of 20 to 50 points are common. Read more in why there are different credit scores.
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you. Credit Karma provides VantageScore 3.0; mortgage scores may differ. Dan Frio | NMLS #246527 | PBT Bancorp | NMLS #257781. Mortgage products are originated by PBT Bancorp, NMLS #257781. Equal Housing Lender. 524 Main St, Hazard, KY 41701.