Credit scores between 670 and 739 are generally considered good by most lenders

A good credit score typically falls between 670 and 739 on the standard 300–850 scale used by the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion). This range signals to lenders that you have managed credit responsibly in the past and are likely to repay new debt on time. Scores in this band usually may have access to you for standard interest rates on mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards, though not the lowest rates available.

The exact threshold varies slightly by lender and loan type. A mortgage lender might view 680 as acceptable, while a credit card issuer might want 700. Some lenders use their own scoring models or add extra criteria beyond your score. What matters most is that a good score removes the major barriers to borrowing — you will not face automatic rejection or be steered toward subprime products designed for people with poor credit histories.

Scores above 740 are considered very good or excellent, and scores below 670 are considered fair or poor. The difference between these ranges can mean hundreds of dollars per year in interest costs on a mortgage or car loan. A score of 750 might get you a mortgage rate 0.5% lower than a score of 700, which compounds significantly over a 30-year loan.

Key Takeaways

  • Good credit scores range from 670 to 739 on the standard 300–850 scale used by most U.S. lenders.
  • A good score qualifies you for standard interest rates on mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards, though not the best rates reserved for excellent scores above 740.
  • Lenders may use slightly different thresholds, so a score considered good by one bank might be viewed differently by another.
  • Scores below 670 are considered fair or poor and typically result in higher interest rates, larger down payments, or loan denial.
  • The difference between a good score and an excellent score can save you hundreds of dollars annually on major loans.

How credit scores are calculated and why the range matters

Your credit score is built from five main factors: payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new credit inquiries (10%). A good score means you have demonstrated strength in most of these areas. You likely pay bills on time, keep credit card balances well below your limits, and have a mix of different types of credit (cards, installment loans, mortgage).

The 670–739 range is meaningful because it represents the boundary between acceptable and risky borrowing from a lender's perspective. Below 670, lenders see higher default rates historically and price their loans accordingly. Above 740, you enter territory where lenders compete for your business and offer their best terms. The jump from 669 to 670 does not change your financial situation, but it changes how lenders treat you.

Good scores versus excellent scores and what you lose by staying in the good range

The difference between good (670–739) and excellent (740+) is real money. On a $300,000 mortgage, a borrower with a 740 score might receive a rate of 6.5%, while a borrower with a 700 score might receive 7.0%. Over 30 years, that 0.5% difference costs roughly $50,000 more in total interest. Auto loans show similar gaps: a 0.3% to 0.5% rate difference is common between the good and excellent ranges.

Credit card issuers also reserve their best rewards and lowest introductory rates for excellent scores. A card offering 0% APR for 12 months on balance transfers might require a 750+ score, while a good-score applicant gets approved at a standard rate. Over time, these small differences compound into significant costs.

That said, a good score is still a strong position. You will not face the rejection rates, mandatory down payments, or subprime pricing that people with fair or poor scores encounter. The gap between good and excellent is about optimization; the gap between good and fair is about access.

How to know your own credit score and which score matters most

You have three credit scores — one from each bureau — and they may differ by 10 to 50 points because each bureau receives different information from creditors. You can obtain your score free once per year from each bureau through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official government-authorized site. You can also request your score directly from each bureau's website, though some charge a fee for ongoing monitoring.

Many credit card issuers and banks now provide free score monitoring to customers. These scores are usually accurate representations of what lenders will see, though the exact model may vary slightly from the FICO score (the most common model used by lenders). If you are shopping for a mortgage or auto loan, ask the lender which score and model they use, because that is the one that determines your rate.

What happens to your rate and terms if your score is in the good range

With a good score, you will typically be approved for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards without special conditions. Mortgage lenders will not require a larger down payment, and you will not be steered toward adjustable-rate loans or other risky products. Credit card issuers will offer you standard terms and reasonable credit limits based on your income and history.

Interest rates will be in the standard range for the current market, not the best available but not punitive either. On a mortgage, you might see rates within 0.25% to 0.5% of the absolute lowest advertised rate. On auto loans, the gap is similar. The exact rate also depends on the loan term, the lender's own pricing, and current market conditions — your score is one factor among several.

Steps to move from good to excellent if you want lower rates

If you are in the good range and want to reach excellent (740+), the fastest path is usually to reduce the amount of debt you are carrying. Your credit utilization — the percentage of your available credit you are using — has immediate impact. If you have a $5,000 credit limit and a $3,000 balance, you are using 60%. Paying that down to $1,000 (20% utilization) can raise your score by 20 to 50 points within one or two billing cycles.

The second lever is payment history. If you have any late payments on your record, they age over time and hurt less. A late payment from two years ago damages your score less than one from two months ago. Continuing to pay on time is the most reliable way to build score momentum. Most people see meaningful improvement within 6 to 12 months of consistent on-time payments and lower balances.

Do not open new credit accounts just to improve your score — the short-term hit from new inquiries and new accounts usually outweighs any benefit. Closing old accounts can also hurt because it reduces your available credit and shortens your average account age. The best approach is to use what you have responsibly and wait.

Why lenders care about the good score threshold

Lenders use credit scores as a shorthand for risk. Decades of data show that people with scores below 670 default on loans at much higher rates than people above 670. The 670 threshold is not arbitrary — it reflects the point where historical default rates drop significantly. A lender offering a mortgage at 6.5% to someone with a 700 score is pricing in a certain expected loss rate. Offering the same rate to someone with a 600 score would be unprofitable, so they either charge more or decline.

The good range (670–739) is where lenders feel comfortable offering standard products at standard rates. You are not a premium customer (that is 740+), but you are also not a high-risk customer. You get treated as a normal borrower, which means access to the full range of products and terms available to most people.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 670 actually considered good, or is it just barely passing?

670 is the technical start of the good range, but lenders often treat scores from 670 to 700 as borderline. You will be approved for most products, but you may not get the best rates. Scores from 700 to 739 are more solidly in good territory and typically receive standard rates without negotiation.

What if my score is 650 — am I locked out of borrowing?

A 650 score is considered fair, not good, but you are not locked out. You can still get mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards, though at higher interest rates and with stricter terms. Some lenders will require a larger down payment or co-signer. FHA mortgages, for example, are available to borrowers with scores as low as 580.

Does my score need to be good before I apply for a mortgage?

No. You can apply with a score below 670, but you will face higher rates and may need a larger down payment. Many people improve their score before applying by paying down debt and fixing errors on their credit report. If you are planning to buy a home in the next year, working to reach 700+ now can save you tens of thousands in interest.

Can my score drop from good to fair without missing a payment?

Yes. Opening new credit accounts, paying down a loan (which reduces your credit mix), or having a high balance reported to the bureaus can lower your score by 10 to 30 points. These changes are usually temporary. Missed payments, collections, or foreclosure cause much larger drops and take years to recover from.

If one bureau reports my score as good and another as fair, which one matters?

When you apply for a loan, the lender pulls your score from one or more bureaus and uses whichever they choose — often the middle score if they pull all three. Before applying, check all three scores at AnnualCreditReport.com. If one is significantly lower, look for errors on that bureau's report and dispute them. Errors are common and can be corrected.