A credit score is a three-digit number between 300 and 850, but the number on its own tells you very little. What matters is which credit score range you fall into, because that is what lenders actually use to decide whether to approve you and what interest rate to charge.
This guide uses the FICO model, which is used by 90% of top US lenders. You’ll see what each range means in practice, where most Americans land, the minimum scores for common loans, and what moves you from one range to the next.
FICO Credit Score Ranges at a Glance
FICO groups scores into five ranges. The boundaries are the same across the three bureaus, even though your exact number can differ slightly between Equifax, Experian and TransUnion.
| Score Range | Rating | What Lenders See |
|---|---|---|
| 800–850 | Exceptional | Very low risk. Best available rates and easiest approvals. |
| 740–799 | Very Good | Low risk. Rates are usually close to or equal to the best tier. |
| 670–739 | Good | Acceptable risk. Approved for most products at average rates. |
| 580–669 | Fair | Higher risk. More denials, higher rates, lower limits. |
| 300–579 | Poor | Significant risk. Often limited to secured cards or subprime lenders. |
How Americans are spread across these ranges: according to Experian, 22.9% of consumers had a FICO Score of 800 or higher as of June 2026, and roughly 70% scored 670 or above. At the other end, about 15% fell in the Poor range in 2025. FICO’s own data shows 48.1% of consumers now score 750 or higher, while the middle ranges have been shrinking — a split FICO describes as a “K-shaped” credit market.
What Is the Average Credit Score in 2026?
The national average FICO Score is 714, according to FICO’s 2026 Credit Insights report (based on October 2025 data). Experian reports 713 for September 2025. Both figures mark the first annual decline since 2013, driven largely by rising card utilization and student loan delinquencies being reported again.
| Generation | Approx. Age (2025) | Average FICO Score |
|---|---|---|
| Gen Z | 18–28 | ~678 |
| Millennials | 29–44 | 689 |
| Gen X | 45–60 | 709 |
| Baby Boomers | 61–79 | 747 |
| Silent Generation | 80+ | 760 |
Source: Experian 2025 consumer credit data. Gen Z figure is approximate. The pattern is mostly about time: older consumers have longer credit histories and have usually paid down more debt. If you’re in your 20s and below average, that’s normal — credit age (15% of your score) can only be built by waiting.
FICO vs VantageScore: Why Your Score Looks Different in Different Apps
Many free credit apps show a VantageScore rather than a FICO Score. Both use a 300–850 scale, but the ranges are cut differently, so the same credit file can land in a different category.
| Rating | FICO Score | VantageScore 3.0 / 4.0 |
|---|---|---|
| Top tier | 800–850 (Exceptional) | 781–850 (Excellent) |
| Good | 670–739 (Good) | 661–780 (Good) |
| Fair | 580–669 (Fair) | 601–660 (Fair) |
| Poor | 300–579 (Poor) | 300–600 (Poor / Very Poor) |
If you’re preparing for a mortgage or car loan, check a FICO Score specifically. Several card issuers show your FICO Score for free inside their app, and you can pull your full reports from all three bureaus at no cost through AnnualCreditReport.com.
What Each Credit Score Range Means for Your Mortgage Rate
The gap between ranges isn’t just about approval — it changes how much you pay. The table below is an illustration of how rates typically step up as scores fall, on a $300,000, 30-year fixed mortgage.
| Score Range | Illustrative Rate | Monthly Payment | Total Interest (30 yrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 760–850 | ~6.8% | $1,956 | ~$404,000 |
| 700–759 | ~7.0% | $1,996 | ~$419,000 |
| 680–699 | ~7.2% | $2,036 | ~$433,000 |
| 660–679 | ~7.5% | $2,098 | ~$455,000 |
| 640–659 | ~7.9% | $2,180 | ~$485,000 |
| 620–639 | ~8.5% | $2,307 | ~$530,000 |
Rates are illustrative, not current quotes — actual rates depend on the market, the lender, your down payment and debt-to-income ratio. The takeaway holds regardless of the exact numbers: moving from the 620s into the 760s on a mortgage of this size can be worth six figures over the life of the loan. That makes improving your score before a big application one of the highest-return money moves available.
Minimum Credit Scores by Loan Type
| Loan Type | Typical Minimum Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FHA mortgage | 580 (3.5% down) / 500 (10% down) | Government-backed; many lenders set their own higher floor |
| Conventional mortgage | 620 | Best pricing usually starts around 740+ |
| VA mortgage | No official minimum | Most lenders look for about 620 |
| USDA mortgage | About 640 for streamlined approval | Rural and some suburban areas only |
| Rewards credit card | Usually 670+ | Premium travel cards often want 720+ |
| Auto loan | No hard minimum | Rates improve sharply above roughly 660 |
| Personal loan | Often 580–660 | Best rates generally need 700+ |
These are common industry thresholds rather than guarantees — every lender sets its own rules and also looks at income, debts and history.
What Moves You From One Range to the Next
FICO publishes the general weighting of its five score factors. Knowing them tells you where your effort pays off fastest.
| Factor | Weight | What Helps Most |
|---|---|---|
| Payment history | 35% | Never letting a payment reach 30 days late |
| Amounts owed (utilization) | 30% | Keeping card balances below 10% of your limits |
| Length of credit history | 15% | Keeping your oldest accounts open |
| Credit mix | 10% | Having both cards and an installment loan over time |
| New credit | 10% | Spacing out applications; avoiding bursts of hard inquiries |
Utilization is the fastest lever because it resets every time your card issuers report a new balance. Payment history and credit age move slowly. If you’re starting with no history at all, our guide on how to build credit from scratch walks through the first 12 months step by step, and our credit score explained guide goes deeper on how each factor is calculated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 700 a good credit score?
Yes. A 700 FICO Score sits in the “Good” range (670–739), just below the national average of 714. Most lenders will approve you for mainstream credit cards, auto loans and mortgages at 700, though the best rates are usually reserved for scores of 740 and above.
What is the lowest possible credit score?
The FICO scale runs from 300 to 850, so 300 is the floor. In practice very few people sit at 300 — scores below 580 usually reflect recent late payments, collections, charge-offs or a bankruptcy.
What credit score do you start with?
You don’t start with a score at all. FICO needs at least one account that has been open for six months or more before it can generate a score. Most people who open a secured card and pay on time see a first score somewhere in the 600s.
Why is my credit score different on different apps?
Because you are often looking at different scoring models and different bureaus. Many free apps show a VantageScore, while most lenders use a FICO Score. Equifax, Experian and TransUnion can also hold slightly different data about you.
How many points does a late payment cost?
It depends on your starting score and history, but a single payment reported 30+ days late can cost a good score dozens of points, and it stays on your report for up to seven years. Paying before the 30-day mark usually keeps it off your report entirely.
Sources: myFICO — What Is a Credit Score; FICO Score Credit Insights Report (2026); Experian consumer credit data (2025–2026); CFPB — Credit reports and scores.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Score thresholds and loan requirements vary by lender.
