Quick answer: On the FICO scale of 300 to 850, a score of 670 to 739 is “good,” 740 to 799 is “very good,” and 800 or higher is “exceptional.” Scores from 580 to 669 are “fair,” and below 580 is “poor.” Most lenders save their best rates for scores around 740 and up. The two biggest factors are paying on time (35%) and how much of your credit you use (30%).
Your credit score affects your mortgage rate, car loan, credit card approvals, and sometimes your insurance and apartment applications. Here’s what each range means, what moves your score, and how to raise it step by step.
FICO score ranges
| FICO score | Rating | What it usually means |
|---|---|---|
| 800–850 | Exceptional | Best rates and easy approvals |
| 740–799 | Very good | Near-best rates on most loans |
| 670–739 | Good | Approved for most products; rates a bit higher |
| 580–669 | Fair | Higher rates; some denials |
| 300–579 | Poor | Hard to get approved; may need secured cards or a co-signer |
Source: myFICO. Lenders set their own cutoffs.
FICO vs. VantageScore
There are two main scoring brands. FICO is used in most U.S. lending decisions. VantageScore, created by the three credit bureaus, also runs from 300 to 850 and is common on free credit apps. Its ranges differ a little: 661 to 780 is generally “good” and 781 to 850 “excellent.”
Your scores can differ by many points between brands and versions, and between Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. That’s normal. Focus on the trend, not one number.
What makes up your FICO score
| Factor | Weight | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Payment history | 35% | Do you pay on time? Late payments, collections and bankruptcies hurt. |
| Amounts owed | 30% | Mainly credit card utilization: balances vs. limits. |
| Length of credit history | 15% | Age of your oldest account and average age. |
| New credit | 10% | Recent applications and new accounts. |
| Credit mix | 10% | Having different types, like cards and installment loans. |
Source: myFICO general weights for the population. Your own mix may weigh differently.
How to raise your credit score: step by step
- Get your free credit reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. Weekly free reports are available.
- Dispute errors, such as accounts that aren’t yours or late payments you didn’t make.
- Set up autopay for at least the minimum on every account so you never miss a due date.
- Pay down credit cards to get utilization under 30%, and ideally under 10%, of your limits.
- Pay before the statement closes, since that balance is usually what’s reported.
- Keep old cards open (with no annual fee) to protect your credit age and limits.
- Apply for new credit only when you need it. Each hard inquiry can cost a few points for a short time.
- Be patient. Utilization fixes can show in a month or two. Late payments fade over years.
Made-up example (for illustration):
Danielle has two cards with a combined $10,000 limit and a $6,000 balance, so her utilization is 60%. Her FICO score is 655, in the “fair” range. She pays $300 extra a month and asks one issuer for a credit limit increase, which raises her total limit to $12,000.
A year later, her balance is about $2,000, so utilization is around 17%. With no late payments, her score climbs into the low 700s and she qualifies for a better car loan rate. (Score changes vary; this is an illustration, not a promise.)
Also read: What is a good credit utilization ratio?
Why a good score saves real money
A higher score usually means a lower interest rate. On a big loan like a mortgage, even a small rate difference adds up over many years. Lenders also use scores for:
- Credit card approvals, limits and rewards cards
- Car loans and personal loans
- Apartment rentals and security deposits
- Utility and phone deposits
- Insurance pricing in most states (credit-based insurance scores)
How long negative items stay on your report
| Item | How long it can stay |
|---|---|
| Late payments | Up to 7 years |
| Collections and charge-offs | Up to 7 years from the original delinquency |
| Chapter 7 bankruptcy | Up to 10 years |
| Chapter 13 bankruptcy | Usually 7 years (bureau practice) |
| Hard inquiries | 2 years (FICO counts them for 1 year) |
The impact of old items shrinks over time, especially if you add years of on-time payments.
Credit score myths
- “Checking my own score lowers it.” False. Checking your own score is a soft inquiry and doesn’t affect it.
- “I need to carry a balance to build credit.” False. Paying in full every month builds credit and avoids interest.
- “Closing old cards helps.” Often the opposite. It can raise utilization and lower credit age.
- “Income affects my score.” No. Income isn’t in your credit report, though lenders ask for it separately.
- “Rate shopping for a mortgage kills my score.” FICO treats multiple mortgage, auto or student loan inquiries in a short window as one.
Building credit from scratch
If you have no credit history, try a secured credit card (you put down a deposit), a credit-builder loan from a credit union, or becoming an authorized user on a family member’s well-managed card. Use a small amount each month and pay it in full. Most people can get a FICO score after about six months of activity.
Where to check your score for free
- Many credit card issuers and banks show a free FICO score or VantageScore in their app.
- Free credit monitoring services from the bureaus often show a VantageScore.
- Remember: free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com don’t include scores, but they show the data scores are built from.
What score do you need for common loans?
There’s no single cutoff, because each lender sets its own rules. But here are general guideposts many borrowers see:
| Goal | Typical score many lenders look for |
|---|---|
| FHA mortgage with 3.5% down | 580 or higher (FHA guideline; lenders may require more) |
| Conventional mortgage | Often 620 or higher |
| Best mortgage pricing | Usually around 740–780 and up |
| Rewards credit cards | Often good to excellent (670+) |
| Car loan approval | Possible at many levels, but rates rise sharply below the 600s |
General ranges only. Lenders also look at income, debts, down payment and history.
What does NOT affect your credit score
- Your income, job title or employer
- Your age, race, religion, sex or marital status (lenders can’t use these under federal law)
- Where you live
- Checking your own credit
- Debit card use and checking account balances
- Most rent and utility payments, unless reported (some services can add them)
Knowing what doesn’t count helps you focus on the habits that do: on-time payments and low balances.
A 90-day credit tune-up plan
Month 1: Pull all three reports, dispute any errors and set autopay on every account. Month 2: Pay down the card with the highest utilization first, and pay it before the statement date. Month 3: Check your score again. If utilization dropped, you’ll often see the change by now. Keep going: steady on-time payments do the rest over the next year.
Signs your credit may have a problem
- A sudden score drop you can’t explain
- Accounts or inquiries you don’t recognize on your report
- Collection calls about debts that aren’t yours
- Being denied credit you expected to get
If you see any of these, pull your reports right away and consider freezing your credit at all three bureaus. A freeze is free and doesn’t hurt your score.
Also remember that scores update as lenders report, usually once a month per account, so give each change a few weeks to show up before you judge your progress.
Recommended products
Helpful reads and tools for building credit.
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FAQ
What is a good credit score?
On the FICO scale, 670 to 739 is good, 740 to 799 is very good, and 800 or above is exceptional.
Is 700 a good credit score?
Yes. A 700 FICO score is in the “good” range. You’ll qualify for most loans, though the best rates usually start around 740.
What is the highest credit score?
850 on both FICO and VantageScore’s main models.
How fast can I raise my score?
Lowering credit card balances can help within one or two billing cycles. Fixing late payments takes longer.
Why are my three scores different?
Each bureau may have slightly different data, and lenders use different scoring models and versions.
Bottom line
A good FICO score is 670 or higher, and 740+ usually gets you the best rates. Focus on the two big levers: pay every bill on time and keep card balances low. Check your reports for errors, and your score will follow.
Last reviewed: Nov. 12, 2026.
Sources: myFICO: What is a credit score?, myFICO: What’s in your score, AnnualCreditReport.com, CFPB: Credit reports and scores, FTC: Free credit reports, VantageScore.
Featured image: Working on a laptop at home. Photo: Shixart1985 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0; edited by Nexgen Headlines.
