What Credit Score Do You Need for a Mortgage?
Minimum credit scores for FHA, conventional, VA, and USDA loans — what score gets the best rate, and how to raise yours before you apply.
Most conventional mortgages require a 620 minimum and FHA loans go as low as 580 with 3.5% down, but you generally need 740 or higher to qualify for the best available interest rate.
What you'll walk away with
Skim these first — then dig into the details below.
- 1FHA allows 580 with 3.5% down, or 500–579 with 10% down.
- 2Conventional loans start at 620, but pricing improves in tiers up to 740+.
- 3VA and USDA set no official minimum — lenders add their own overlays, often 620.
- 4A 60-point score gap can cost tens of thousands over a 30-year loan.
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Your credit score does two things in a mortgage application: it decides whether you qualify at all, and it sets the interest rate you are offered. The second part is where the real money is.
Before you shop for homes, check where you stand using our credit score ranges guide, then model what different rates do to your payment in the mortgage calculator.
Minimum scores by loan type
Each loan program sets a floor, but individual lenders can require higher scores than the program allows. Those extra requirements are called overlays, and they are the reason two lenders can give you different answers on the same day.
- FHA: 580 with 3.5% down; 500–579 with 10% down. Most flexible on credit history.
- Conventional: 620 minimum. Best pricing typically starts at 740 and improves again near 780.
- VA: no program minimum, but most lenders want 580–620 for eligible service members and veterans.
- USDA: no program minimum, though 640 usually unlocks automated approval in rural areas.
- Jumbo: typically 700–720 or higher, plus larger cash reserves.
Score is only one of three approval factors
A strong score will not rescue a weak application. Underwriters weigh your credit alongside your debt load and your cash position, and all three need to clear.
- Debt-to-income ratio: usually capped near 43–50%. See our DTI guide.
- Down payment and reserves: more cash down offsets a lower score in underwriting.
- Employment history: typically two years of stable, documented income.
- Payment history: recent late payments hurt more than an old collection account.
How to raise your score before applying
Credit improvements take time to show up in bureau data, so start three to six months before you plan to apply. The two fastest levers are utilization and error correction.
- 1
Pull all three reports free at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute anything inaccurate.
- 2
Pay revolving balances below 30% of each card limit — under 10% is better.
- 3
Keep old accounts open. Closing a card shortens history and raises utilization.
- 4
Do not open new credit, finance a car, or co-sign anything within six months of applying.
- 5
Make every payment on time; recent history carries the most weight.
Decide whether to wait or buy now
If you are 20 points from a better pricing tier, waiting a few months is usually worth it. If you are far below and rents keep climbing, an FHA loan now with a refinance later can be the better move.
Run both scenarios in the mortgage calculator and pair the result with our how much house can I afford guide before you commit.
- Wait if you are within 20–40 points of the next pricing tier and can get there in a few months.
- Wait if you have recent late payments that will age past 12 months soon.
- Buy now if your score is stable, rents are rising, and an FHA refinance later is realistic.
- Either way, get quotes from at least three lenders — overlays differ enough to change your options.
Disclaimer: This page includes AI-assisted educational content reviewed for general accuracy. It is not personalized financial, tax, or legal advice. Verify numbers with a qualified professional and our editorial standards.
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Related guides that deepen the same decision.
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ReadReal EstateDebt-to-Income Ratio (DTI): Formula, Limits and Mortgage Approval
DTI is your monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income — most mortgage lenders want it under 43%, and under 36% gets you the best terms.
ReadReal EstateHow Much House Can I Afford? Rules, Ratios & Calculator
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ReadReady to plug in your numbers?
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