A 'good' credit score is the cutoff most lenders use to offer you their best interest rates, lowest fees, and highest credit limits. Falling just below it can cost you tens of thousands of dollars over the life of a mortgage or car loan.
Here's what counts as good, what's considered great, and exactly how to move up a tier.
FICO score ranges
FICO scores are the most widely used model (90% of top lenders use them). VantageScore uses the same 300–850 range but slightly different cutoffs.
- 300–579 — Poor
- 580–669 — Fair
- 670–739 — Good
- 740–799 — Very Good
- 800–850 — Exceptional
What is considered a 'good' credit score?
Anything 670 or higher is considered good by most lenders. At this level you'll be approved for most credit cards, auto loans, and conventional mortgages — but you won't necessarily get the best rates.
The real sweet spot starts at 740 (Very Good). That's where you unlock the lowest mortgage APRs, the highest reward card approvals, and prime auto financing.
The current US average
The average FICO score in the United States is 714 — solidly in the 'Good' range, but well below the 740+ threshold for the best rates.
Why your score matters more than you think
Lenders price risk. A 100-point difference in your score can mean a 2-3 percentage-point difference in your mortgage rate — and on a $300,000 30-year loan, that's over $90,000 in extra interest.
Beyond loans, your score affects insurance premiums, apartment applications, cell phone contracts, and in some industries, job offers.
- Mortgage APR — up to 3 points difference between Poor and Excellent
- Auto loan APR — up to 10 points difference
- Credit card APR — can mean 0% intro offers vs. 29.99% standard rates
- Auto/home insurance — many states allow credit-based pricing
- Security deposits — utilities and landlords often waive them above 700
What actually affects your FICO score
Payment history and utilization together make up 65% of your score. Master those two and the rest takes care of itself.
- Payment history — 35%
- Credit utilization — 30%
- Length of credit history — 15%
- Credit mix — 10%
- New credit / hard inquiries — 10%
How to improve your score
- Pay every bill on time — even one 30-day late can drop you 80+ points.
- Get utilization under 30% on every card, ideally under 10% overall.
- Don't close old accounts — they keep your average age high.
- Dispute any inaccurate negative items on your reports.
- Add a secured card or credit-builder loan if your file is thin.
- Limit new applications — each hard inquiry costs 5–10 points.
Frequently asked
How quickly can I raise my score?+
It depends on what's holding you back. Paying down high balances can lift your score in a single billing cycle. Removing collections or late payments via dispute typically takes 30–90 days.
Does checking my own score hurt it?+
No. Pulling your own report or score is a 'soft inquiry' and has zero impact. Only lender-initiated 'hard inquiries' affect your score.
Do all three bureaus report the same score?+
No. Each bureau may have slightly different data, so your scores often differ by 10–40 points. Lenders typically use the middle score for mortgages.
Get expert help
Have a specialist fight for your credit.
Apex Credit files disputes, tracks responses, and negotiates with creditors on your behalf — so you can stop reading guides and start seeing results.
