Updated November 2026
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. Many lenders offer their best rates to borrowers with scores of about 740 or higher.
FICO credit score ranges
| Score | Rating |
|---|---|
| 800 to 850 | Exceptional |
| 740 to 799 | Very good |
| 670 to 739 | Good |
| 580 to 669 | Fair |
| 300 to 579 | Poor |
VantageScore, another common scoring model, also uses a 300 to 850 scale, with slightly different ranges.
What makes up your FICO score
| Factor | Weight | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Payment history | 35% | Paying on time, every time |
| Amounts owed | 30% | How much of your credit limits you use |
| Length of credit history | 15% | How long your accounts have been open |
| New credit | 10% | Recent applications and new accounts |
| Credit mix | 10% | Having different types of credit |
Why your score matters
A higher score can mean lower interest rates on mortgages, car loans and credit cards. For example, if a lower score meant paying 7.5% instead of 6.5% on a $300,000 30-year mortgage, the payment would be about $201 more each month, or about $72,518 over the life of the loan.
See how rates change your payment →
How to raise your credit score
- Pay every bill on time. Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum.
- Keep your credit use low, ideally under 30% of your limits, and under 10% for the best scores.
- Don't close old cards you don't use; they help your history and available credit.
- Limit new applications. Each hard inquiry can lower your score a little for a while.
- Check your credit reports for errors and dispute anything wrong. You can get free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Paying down card balances is one of the fastest ways to improve your score. Plan it with the credit card payoff calculator or the debt payoff calculator.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good credit score?
On the FICO scale, 670 to 739 is good, 740 to 799 is very good and 800 to 850 is exceptional.
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
Requirements vary. Many conventional loans need around 620 or higher, and FHA loans can allow lower scores. Higher scores usually get better rates.
How fast can I improve my credit score?
Paying down credit card balances can help within a month or two, once the lower balances are reported. Building a long record of on-time payments takes longer.
Does checking my own credit score lower it?
No. Checking your own score is a soft inquiry and doesn't affect it.