Credit scores above 670 are generally considered acceptable by most lenders, but the definition of "good" depends on what you are trying to borrow and which lender you are dealing with.
There is no single official threshold that makes a score "good." Instead, lenders set their own cutoffs based on how much risk they are willing to take. A score of 750 might get you the best interest rate on a mortgage, but the same score might not matter much for a credit card. A score of 620 might be rejected by one auto lender and accepted by another.
The most widely used credit score model in the United States is the FICO score, which ranges from 300 to 850. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion each produce their own FICO scores based on your credit history with them, so you may have three slightly different numbers. VantageScore is another model, also ranging from 300 to 850, and is used less often by lenders but more often by credit monitoring services.
Key Takeaways
- Lenders define "good" differently depending on the loan type and their own risk tolerance, so there is no single magic number that works everywhere.
- FICO scores above 670 are generally considered acceptable, scores above 740 are considered very good, and scores above 800 are considered excellent.
- Your actual score matters less than knowing which lenders look at which score ranges — a mortgage lender and a credit card issuer use different thresholds.
- You have three FICO scores (one from each credit bureau) and they may differ by 50 points or more, so check all three before applying for credit.
How lenders actually use credit score ranges
Most lenders publish the credit score range they prefer, though they do not always advertise it upfront. A mortgage lender might say they want a score of 620 or higher, but offer better rates to borrowers with scores above 740. An auto lender might accept 580 but charge higher interest below 650. A credit card issuer might reject anyone below 670 but have different approval odds at 670 versus 750.
The reason scores matter so much is that they predict whether you will pay back what you borrow. Lenders use them as a shortcut: instead of reading your full credit history, they use the score as a summary. A higher score means you have paid bills on time, kept balances low, and not opened too many accounts recently. A lower score means the opposite.
Your score also affects the interest rate you are offered. A person with a 750 FICO score might get a mortgage at 6.5 percent, while a person with a 650 score might be offered 7.2 percent on the same loan. Over 30 years, that difference costs tens of thousands of dollars. This is why the gap between 650 and 750 matters more than the gap between 750 and 800.
FICO score ranges and what they mean in practice
FICO publishes general ranges, though individual lenders may interpret them differently:
| Score Range | What lenders typically call it | What usually happens |
|---|---|---|
| 300–579 | Poor | Most lenders reject you or charge very high interest. Some lenders specialize in this range but rates are steep. |
| 580–669 | Fair | You may be approved but at higher interest rates. Some lenders in this range require a larger down payment or co-signer. |
| 670–739 | Good | Most mainstream lenders approve you at reasonable rates. You are in the range where approval odds are high and rates are competitive. |
| 740–799 | Very Good | You get better rates than the "good" range. Lenders compete for your business and offer perks like lower fees. |
| 800–850 | Excellent | You get the best rates available. Lenders offer premium products and may waive fees. |
The jump from 650 to 700 usually makes a bigger difference in your interest rate than the jump from 750 to 800. This is because lenders care most about moving you out of the "risky" range into the "safe" range. Once you are in the safe range, additional points help but matter less.
Why you have multiple scores and they might not match
Each of the three credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — maintains its own file on you. They may have different information because creditors do not report to all three equally. One creditor might report to Equifax and Experian but not TransUnion. Another might report late to one bureau and on time to another.
This means your FICO score from Equifax might be 720, from Experian 710, and from TransUnion 705. Differences of 10 to 20 points are normal. Differences of 50 points or more usually mean one bureau has incomplete or incorrect information about you.
When you apply for a mortgage, the lender typically pulls all three scores and uses the middle one. When you apply for a credit card, the issuer might pull just one. This is why checking all three before you apply for something important is worth doing — if one score is much lower, you might want to fix errors on that bureau first.
How to find out what your actual scores are
You are may have access to to one free credit report per year from each bureau through AnnualCreditReport.com, which is the official site run by the three bureaus. That report shows your payment history and account balances but does not include your FICO score.
To see your actual FICO scores, you have a few options. Some credit card issuers and banks show your FICO score for free in your online account. Credit monitoring services like Credit Karma show VantageScores for free (not FICO scores, but they move in the same direction). You can also buy your FICO scores directly from myfico.com for a fee, usually around $20 for all three.
The free options are usually enough to know whether you are in the "good" range or not. The paid option matters if you are about to apply for a major loan and want to know your exact number before the lender pulls it.
What moves your score up or down
Your FICO score is built from five categories: payment history (35 percent), amounts owed (30 percent), length of credit history (15 percent), credit mix (10 percent), and new credit inquiries (10 percent).
A single late payment can drop your score 100 points or more, depending on how late it was and how good your score was before. A payment 30 days late hurts less than one 90 days late. A maxed-out credit card can drop your score 50 points because it raises your credit utilization ratio. Opening three new credit cards in a month can drop your score 20 to 30 points because each inquiry and new account signals risk to lenders.
Raising your score usually takes longer than dropping it. Paying down a high balance might raise your score 20 to 50 points within a month or two. Staying current on all payments for six months might raise your score 30 to 50 points. Removing an error from your credit report can raise your score 10 to 100 points depending on how recent and damaging the error was.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 700 a good credit score?
Yes. A score of 700 puts you in the "good" range and most mainstream lenders will approve you at reasonable rates. You are above the threshold where rejection is common, though you are not yet in the "very good" range where you get the best available rates.
What credit score do I need to get a mortgage?
Most mortgage lenders require a minimum of 620, but rates are much better above 680. If your score is below 620, some lenders specialize in lower scores but charge significantly higher interest. The difference between 620 and 720 on a 30-year mortgage can be $100,000 or more in total interest paid.
Does my credit score matter for renting an apartment?
Landlords sometimes check credit scores, but they are not required to and many do not. Those who do often look at payment history more than the score itself — they want to know if you have paid rent and bills on time. A score below 600 might trigger a rejection or a request for a larger deposit, but the exact threshold varies by landlord.
Can my credit score change in one month?
Yes. Paying down a high credit card balance can raise your score 20 to 50 points in one billing cycle. A late payment can drop it 50 to 100 points immediately. The bureaus update your file monthly, so changes can happen quickly, but large improvements usually take several months of consistent on-time payments.
Why is my credit score different on different websites?
Different websites use different score models. Credit Karma shows VantageScore, your bank might show FICO, and myfico.com shows the official FICO score. VantageScore and FICO usually move together but can differ by 50 points or more. The FICO score is what most lenders use, so that is the one that matters most when you apply for credit.