Does FHA use Credit Karma scores?
No. Credit Karma uses VantageScore, mostly off TransUnion. Mortgages use FICO 2/4/5 from a tri-merge mortgage credit pull. The numbers can differ by 20–60 points.
Plain-English explanation
Mortgage credit pulls use older FICO models that are stricter on collections and recent inquiries. A 700 on Credit Karma can come back as 650 on the mortgage report — and the mortgage report is what FHA scores against.
What can change the answer?
Recent late payments, thin credit history, disputed accounts, lender overlays, and automated underwriting findings can change the answer.
Want the real answer for your file?
FHA guidelines are the rule. Your credit, income, payment, property, and county limit are what decide the actual answer.
More FHA questions on Credit
Educational only. FHA guidelines, lender overlays, rates, fees, and underwriting requirements can change. Final eligibility depends on full underwriting review.