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What Is a Good Credit Score? Ranges, Charts & How to Hit 750+

Credit score ranges explained: poor, fair, good, very good, and excellent. See what score you need for mortgages, auto loans, and the best credit cards.

July 9, 20268 min readBy MyWealthForge
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Key Takeaways

  • 1FICO scores range 300–850. Good starts at 670; excellent is 800+.
  • 2Mortgages: 620 minimum for FHA, 740+ for best rates.
  • 3Payment history (35%) and utilization (30%) matter most.
  • 4Check all three bureaus — scores can differ by 20+ points.

Your credit score determines whether you get approved for loans and how much interest you pay — often tens of thousands over a lifetime. Knowing the ranges helps you set a target.

Use our debt payoff calculator to see how paying down balances can raise your score within one billing cycle.

Credit Score Ranges (FICO)

300–579: Poor. 580–669: Fair. 670–739: Good. 740–799: Very Good. 800–850: Exceptional.

The average American FICO score is around 715. A "good" score gets you approved; "very good" and above unlock the lowest rates.

Score Needed by Loan Type

Mortgages: 620+ (FHA), 680+ (conventional), 740+ (best rates). Auto loans: 660+ for decent rates, 720+ for 0% offers. Credit cards: 690+ for rewards cards, 750+ for premium cards.

Read how to improve your credit score fast if you are below your target.

How to Check Your Score

Free options: Credit Karma (TransUnion/Equifax), your bank app, or AnnualCreditReport.com for full reports (not scores).

Avoid paid monitoring unless you are actively repairing credit. Focus on the habits that move the number.

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