A credit score is a numerical measure of an individual’s creditworthiness, used by lenders to evaluate the risk of lending money. It is calculated based on a person’s credit report, which includes factors like payment history, credit utilization, and length of credit history. Scores typically range from 300 to 850, with higher scores indicating better creditworthiness. Developed by organizations like Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) and VantageScore, credit scores determine loan approval, terms, and interest rates. Maintaining good credit habits, such as timely payments and low credit utilization, can improve your score over time.