What Is a Good Credit Score? Ranges and How To Reach 750+ (2026)
Credit score ranges explained: poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent. See the score you need for mortgages, auto loans, and the best credit cards.
On the 300–850 FICO scale, "good" starts at 670, "very good" at 740, and anything above 800 is exceptional — 740+ is where you stop leaving money on the table.
What you'll walk away with
Skim these first — then dig into the details below.
- 1FICO scores run 300–850; good starts at 670 and exceptional is 800+.
- 2Mortgages: 620 is the common FHA floor, but 740+ unlocks the best rates.
- 3Payment history (35%) and credit utilization (30%) drive most of the score.
- 4Check all three bureaus — scores can differ by 20 or more points.
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Your credit score is a price tag. The same house, the same car, and the same card cost dramatically different amounts depending on three digits.
The good news: two of the biggest scoring factors are things you can change within one billing cycle.
The FICO score ranges
Lenders group scores into tiers, and your rate changes at the tier boundaries — not gradually.
- 300–579 Poor: approvals are limited, deposits and cosigners are common.
- 580–669 Fair: approvable but priced high.
- 670–739 Good: mainstream approvals at average rates.
- 740–799 Very Good: near-best pricing on most products.
- 800–850 Exceptional: the best available terms, with little practical gain above 800.
What score you need by loan type
Requirements differ by product, and so do the cutoffs that matter.
- FHA mortgage: often 580 with 3.5% down, 500–579 with 10% down.
- Conventional mortgage: 620 minimum, with the best pricing at 740+.
- Auto loans: 660+ for reasonable rates, 720+ for promotional financing.
- Rewards credit cards: roughly 690+, with premium cards typically 750+.
- Renting and some insurance pricing also consider credit in many states.
What actually moves the number
Five factors make up a FICO score, and they are not weighted equally.
- Payment history, 35%: one 30-day late payment can cost dozens of points.
- Utilization, 30%: balances divided by limits — keep it under 30%, ideally under 10%.
- Length of credit history, 15%: closing your oldest card shortens it.
- Credit mix, 10%: a blend of revolving and installment accounts helps slightly.
- New credit, 10%: several applications in a short window looks like risk.
How to check and raise yours
Start with free sources, then work the two factors that matter most.
- 1
Pull free reports from all three bureaus at annualcreditreport.com and dispute errors.
- 2
Check your score free through your bank or card issuer app.
- 3
Pay balances down before the statement closing date so a lower number gets reported.
- 4
Set autopay for at least the minimum on every account to protect payment history.
- 5
Follow the full playbook in how to improve your credit score fast.
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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