What Do the Letters on a Credit Score Mean?

In the United States, the credit bureaus Experian, Equifax and TransUnion issue credit reports and credit scores when you apply for credit. The credit reports and their associated scores use letters to abbreviate terminology about whose account is listed and the type of credit account. By understanding the letter abbreviations, you can read your credit report and better understand the information provided in it.

Account Ownership

Credit bureaus use abbreviations to indicate who is ultimately responsible for paying the account. The letter "I" listed beside an account indicates that the account is an individual account, and that you have sole responsibility for paying the account. The letter "J" listed beside an account indicates that the account is a joint account, and that you have shared responsibility for paying the account. The letter "A" listed beside an account indicates that you are an authorized user on the account, and have no responsibility for paying the account.

Other Types of Account Ownership

The letter "U" listed beside an account indicates that the ownership responsibility for the account is not known. The letter "M" listed beside an account indicates that you are the maker of the account. In other words, you opened the account and have responsibility to pay it. The letter "T" listed beside an account indicates that the account is terminated. This abbreviation is commonly used next to a closed account. The letter "C" listed beside an account indicates that you are a co-signer on the account, and that you have joint responsibility for paying the account. The letter "S" listed beside an account indicates that the account is a shared account. This is another designation for a joint account and means you have joint responsibility to pay for the account.

Open Account

The abbreviation "O" is found under the account status section of the credit report next to all accounts that are currently open. An open account is also known as an active account and means that the account is currently in use. An open account can have a $0 balance, however. In this case, you don't have a monthly payment associated with the account or owe money on the account, but have active credit available for use.

Revolving Account

Also found in the account status section of the credit report, the "R" abbreviation next to an account indicates a revolving account. A revolving credit account is a type of credit account that allows you to access funds up to a certain limit continuously. A credit card is the most commonly used type of revolving credit account.

Installment Account

The "I" abbreviation found under the account status section of the credit report indicates an installment account. An installment account is a type of credit account where the borrower receives a set amount of money and pays back the loan with fixed monthly payments. Generally, installment accounts are one-time loans and you cannot access funds once you have paid off the loan. Car loans and home mortgages are examples of installment accounts.