A good credit score is 670 to 739 on the FICO scale, which runs from 300 to 850. Scores of 740 to 799 are very good and 800 or higher is exceptional. The average American has a FICO Score of 714, so "good" puts you right around the middle of the pack.
That answers the label question. The more useful question is what each score actually gets you, because lenders do not approve "good"; they approve numbers. Below are the ranges for both major scoring models, the scores you need for a mortgage, car or card, and the point where a higher score stops saving you money.
What is a credit score, and who calculates it?
A credit score is a three-digit number that predicts how likely you are to repay borrowed money on time. It is calculated from the information in your credit reports at the three bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
Two companies build the scoring models. FICO is used by most lenders; FICO says 90% of top lenders use its scores. VantageScore was created by the three bureaus and powers many free credit apps. Both use a 300 to 850 scale, but they draw the tier lines in different places, which is why your app score and a lender's score rarely match.
Why do I have so many different credit scores?
Because "your credit score" is really a family of scores. You have a separate report at each of the three bureaus, and lenders can run several scoring models on each one. The same person can easily have a dozen valid scores on the same day.
- Different bureaus. Not every lender reports to all three bureaus, so your Equifax, Experian and TransUnion files rarely match exactly.
- Different FICO versions. FICO Score 8 is the most widely used general score, but mortgage lenders have long used older versions (FICO Scores 2, 4 and 5), and car lenders and card issuers often use industry-specific FICO scores built for their type of loan.
- Different companies. VantageScore uses the same reports and the same 300 to 850 scale, but a different formula.
- Different days. Scores are calculated from whatever is on your report at that moment, so a balance reported last week can move your score this week.
The practical takeaway: do not worry about a gap of 10 to 30 points between apps. Watch the trend instead. If every score you see is rising, you are doing the right things.
What are the credit score ranges?
| FICO Score | FICO tier | VantageScore 4.0 | VantageScore tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 800–850 | Exceptional | 781–850 | Superprime |
| 740–799 | Very Good | 661–780 | Prime |
| 670–739 | Good | 601–660 | Near prime |
| 580–669 | Fair | 300–600 | Subprime |
| 300–579 | Poor |
What is the best credit score possible, and does 850 matter?
The highest possible score is 850 on both FICO and VantageScore. About 1.71% of US consumers had a perfect 850 FICO Score as of June 2026, according to Experian.
In practice, an 850 buys you almost nothing an 800 does not. Most lenders reserve their best pricing for scores around 760 to 780 and up; mortgage pricing tops out at 780+. Past that point, extra points are bragging rights, not savings.
Is 700 a good credit score? What about 750 or 800?
- 650: Fair. You can get approved for many loans, but at noticeably higher rates.
- 700: Good, and close to the national average of 714. Most cards and loans are open to you.
- 750: Very Good. You will qualify for strong rates on most products.
- 800: Exceptional. You are effectively at the top of every lender's pricing.
How does your score compare with people your age? Our average credit score by age guide has the latest numbers by generation and state.
What credit score do you need for a mortgage, car, card or apartment?
| Product | Minimum score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FHA mortgage, 3.5% down | 580 | HUD minimum; many lenders set a higher bar |
| FHA mortgage, 10% down | 500–579 | Below 500 is not eligible |
| Conventional mortgage (Fannie Mae) | No minimum in automated underwriting | 620 (fixed) or 640 (adjustable) if manually underwritten; lenders often require 620+ |
| VA mortgage | No VA minimum | Lenders commonly look for about 620 |
| USDA mortgage | No program minimum | 640 is the benchmark for automated approval |
| Car loan | No minimum | Rates rise sharply as scores fall (see below) |
| Credit card or apartment | No published minimum | Each issuer or landlord sets its own rules |
What does a higher credit score actually save you?
Car loans show the difference clearly. In Q2 2026, Experian found that borrowers with scores of 781 to 850 paid an average of 4.41% on new-car loans, while those with 661 to 780 paid 6.15% (Experian). Used-car rates were 6.29% and 8.81%.
- Score 781–850 at 4.41%: monthly payment
- $651
- Score 781–850: total interest
- $4,062
- Score 661–780 at 6.15%: monthly payment
- $679
- Score 661–780: total interest
- $5,745
- Cost of the lower tier
- ≈ $1,700
On a 30-year mortgage the gap between tiers is usually larger in dollars, because the balance and the term are both bigger. That is where moving from "good" to "very good" pays off most.
What affects your credit score?
| Factor | Weight | What helps |
|---|---|---|
| Payment history | 35% | Paying every bill on time, every month |
| Amounts owed | 30% | Using a small share of your credit limits |
| Length of credit history | 15% | Keeping older accounts open |
| New credit | 10% | Applying for new credit only when you need it |
| Credit mix | 10% | A mix of cards and installment loans over time |
How can you get a good credit score?
- Pay on time, always. One payment 30 days late can cost many points and stays on your report for seven years. Autopay the minimum on every account.
- Keep utilization low. Try to use under 30% of each card's limit, and under 10% to reach the top tiers. Timing payments before the statement closes is one of the fastest ways to raise your credit score.
- Do not close your oldest card unless it charges a fee you cannot justify.
- Space out applications. Multiple hard inquiries in a short time can drag a score down, though rate shopping for one mortgage or car loan within a short window is usually counted as a single inquiry.
- Check your reports for errors and dispute anything that is not yours.
- Building from zero? A secured card or becoming an authorized user is the fastest start. It typically takes about six months of history to generate a FICO Score. Our step-by-step guide on how to build credit from scratch has a 12-month plan.
What changed with credit scores in 2025 and 2026?
- Mortgages can now use VantageScore 4.0. Since September 9, 2026, lenders selling loans to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac can use VantageScore 4.0 instead of a classic FICO Score. FHA will accept VantageScore 4.0 and FICO 10T for loans with case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2027.
- Fannie Mae dropped its hard minimum. Since November 16, 2025, loans run through Fannie Mae's automated underwriting no longer need a minimum score of 620, although many lenders still set one.
- The national average dipped. The average FICO Score fell to 714 as student-loan delinquencies returned to credit reports (Experian).
- The federal medical-debt rule is gone. A federal court threw out the CFPB rule that would have removed medical debt from credit reports in July 2025. The bureaus' own voluntary limits on reporting medical collections still apply.
How do you check your credit score for free?
Many credit card issuers and banks show a free FICO Score in their apps, and free apps usually show a VantageScore. Your reports themselves are free every week from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site. Checking your own score never lowers it.
A strong score matters most when you borrow. If you are weighing a 401(k) loan against other options, our 401(k) early withdrawal penalty guide compares the costs.
The bottom line
Aim for 740 or higher. That is where the "very good" tier begins and where most lenders' best rates start to kick in. Above about 780, the score has done its job; spend your energy on the rest of your finances instead of chasing 850.
