A good credit score usually falls between 670 and 739, depending on which scoring model lenders use

Credit scores range from 300 to 850. A score of 670 or higher is generally considered good by most lenders, though some use slightly different thresholds. The exact number that matters depends on what you are trying to do — getting a mortgage, a car loan, or a credit card — because different lenders set their own cutoffs. A score in the 670–739 range opens doors that a score below 670 does not, but it is not the highest tier.

The two most common scoring models are FICO and VantageScore. FICO scores, which most lenders rely on, treat 670–739 as "good." VantageScore uses a similar range. However, some lenders have their own internal scoring systems or use older FICO versions, so the exact boundary can shift. What matters more than hitting a single number is understanding that lenders see scores in bands, and crossing from one band to the next changes what interest rates and terms you will be offered.

Key Takeaways

  • A credit score of 670 to 739 is generally considered good and will get you approved for most credit products at reasonable rates.
  • Scores below 670 are typically labeled fair or poor, and lenders may charge higher interest rates or deny you outright.
  • Scores above 740 are considered very good or excellent, and you will receive the best interest rates and terms available.
  • Your score is built from payment history (35%), amounts owed (30%), length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new credit inquiries (10%).
  • You can check your score for free once a year from each of the three major credit bureaus through AnnualCreditReport.com.

How lenders use credit score bands

Lenders do not treat every score the same way. They group scores into ranges and apply different rules to each range. A score of 669 and a score of 670 might sound nearly identical, but they often trigger different lending decisions — one might be denied, the other approved. This is why crossing into the "good" range matters more than moving from 700 to 710 within that range.

Within the good range (670–739), you will usually be approved for credit cards, personal loans, and auto loans. Interest rates will be moderate — not the lowest available, but not punitive either. For mortgages, a score of 670 may still require a larger down payment or higher interest rate than a score of 740 would. The exact terms depend on the lender and the type of loan, but the pattern is consistent: higher scores within a band get better offers than lower scores within the same band.

What scores below and above the good range mean

Scores below 670 fall into the fair or poor categories. A score between 580 and 669 is usually labeled fair. Lenders will still work with you, but they charge higher interest rates to offset the risk. You may also face stricter requirements — a larger down payment, a co-signer, or a shorter loan term. Scores below 580 are typically considered poor, and many mainstream lenders will not lend to you at all. You may be limited to credit-builder loans, secured credit cards, or lenders that specialize in high-risk borrowers.

Scores above 739 are considered very good or excellent. A score between 740 and 799 is very good; a score of 800 or higher is excellent. At these levels, you receive the best interest rates, the highest credit limits, and the most favorable terms. The difference between a 670 score and a 750 score can mean thousands of dollars in interest over the life of a mortgage or car loan. However, the jump from 750 to 800 brings diminishing returns — most lenders treat anything above 740 as top-tier, so the practical benefit of reaching 800 is smaller than the benefit of reaching 740.

What builds and damages your credit score

Your score is calculated from five factors, and they do not carry equal weight. Payment history — whether you pay bills on time — accounts for 35% of your score. This is the single largest factor. Amounts owed (your credit utilization, or how much of your available credit you are using) accounts for 30%. Together, these two factors make up 65% of your score. If you pay on time and keep balances low, you will move toward a good score.

The remaining 35% comes from length of credit history (15%), credit mix (10%), and new credit inquiries (10%). Length of credit history rewards you for keeping old accounts open, even if you do not use them. Credit mix means having different types of credit — a credit card, a car loan, a mortgage — rather than just one type. New credit inquiries (also called hard inquiries) happen when you apply for new credit, and too many in a short time can lower your score slightly.

Negative marks damage your score significantly. A late payment (30 days or more overdue) stays on your report for seven years and can drop your score by 100 points or more. Collections accounts, charge-offs, and bankruptcies are even more damaging. A foreclosure or repossession can lower your score by 130 points or more. These marks fade over time — their impact weakens after a few years — but they remain visible on your report for seven to ten years depending on the type.

How to move from fair to good

If your score is below 670, the fastest way to improve it is to fix payment history. Make every payment on time, starting now. Even one on-time payment will not immediately raise your score, but a consistent pattern of on-time payments over several months will. Set up automatic payments if you struggle to remember due dates.

The second step is to lower your credit utilization. If you are using 80% or more of your available credit, paying down balances will raise your score. You do not have to pay off the balance entirely — dropping from 80% to 30% utilization will move your score upward. If you have no credit history at all, a credit-builder loan or a secured credit card can help you build a score from scratch. These products are designed for people with no credit or damaged credit, and they report to the credit bureaus, so on-time payments will build your history.

Where to check your score and what to watch for

You can check your credit score for free once per year from each of the three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the official site authorized by the Federal Trade Commission. Do not use other sites that claim to offer free scores; many are free trials that charge you later or collect your information for marketing.

Many credit card companies and banks now offer free credit score monitoring as a cardholder benefit. These scores are usually FICO scores and update monthly. Checking your own score does not hurt it — only hard inquiries from lenders do. Once you have your score, review your credit report for errors. Mistakes happen: accounts that are not yours, payments marked late when you paid on time, or duplicate negative marks. You can dispute errors directly with the credit bureau through AnnualCreditReport.com or by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 670 a good credit score or just barely passing?

A score of 670 is considered good and will get you approved for most credit products. However, it is at the lower end of the good range, so you will not receive the best interest rates. A score of 700 or higher gives you more negotiating power with lenders.

How much does my credit score need to improve to see a real difference in interest rates?

Moving from fair (below 670) to good (670–739) typically lowers your interest rate by 1–2 percentage points. Moving from good to very good (740+) can lower it by another 1–2 points. On a $300,000 mortgage, a 1% difference in interest rate means tens of thousands of dollars over 30 years.

Can I get a mortgage with a 670 credit score?

Yes, but with conditions. Most conventional mortgages require a score of 620 or higher, so 670 qualifies. However, you may need a larger down payment (10–15% instead of 3–5%) and will receive a higher interest rate than someone with a 740 score. FHA loans have lower score requirements and may be an option.

How long does it take to move from a fair score to a good score?

It depends on what is holding your score down. If it is recent late payments, you may see improvement within three to six months of on-time payments. If it is high credit utilization, paying down balances can raise your score within one to two billing cycles. Older negative marks take longer to fade.

Does paying off a collection account immediately raise my score?

Paying off a collection account stops it from getting worse, but it does not erase it from your report. The account will remain visible for seven years. However, a paid collection looks better to lenders than an unpaid one, and some lenders weight recent activity more heavily than older marks.