What Is a Good Credit Score? Score Ranges and the Loans Each One Unlocks
| Score range | 300–850 (FICO) |
|---|---|
| Good | 670–739 |
| Very good / exceptional | 740–799 / 800+ |
| Fair / poor | 580–669 / below 580 |
| Biggest factor | Payment history, 35% of a FICO Score |
| Lower score? | Many lenders still consider you |
Credit score ranges explained
A credit score is a number that predicts how likely you are to repay borrowed money, calculated from your credit report. The CFPB notes that most credit scores fall between 300 and 850, and that you don't have just one score: it can differ by scoring model, by credit bureau and even by day.
FICO, the score most lenders use, groups scores into five bands:
| FICO score | Rating |
|---|---|
| 800–850 | Exceptional |
| 740–799 | Very good |
| 670–739 | Good |
| 580–669 | Fair |
| 300–579 | Poor |
So the short answer to "what is a good credit score" is 670 or higher. But "good enough" depends on what you're applying for.
What each score tier can usually get
| Tier | Loans commonly available | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Exceptional and very good (740+) | Bank and credit union personal loans, top credit cards, best mortgage and auto rates | The widest choice and lowest advertised rates |
| Good (670–739) | Most personal loans, many bank loans, mainstream cards | Competitive rates; easy comparison shopping |
| Fair (580–669) | Online personal loans, some credit union loans, secured loans | Higher rates; income and debts matter more. See fair credit loans |
| Poor (below 580) | Bad-credit installment loans, secured and title loans, payday loans where legal | Smaller amounts, higher cost; income is key. See 500 credit score loans |
| No score yet | Credit builder loans, secured cards, lenders using alternative data | See loans with no credit |
For reference, the Federal Reserve's average commercial bank rate on 24-month personal loans was 11.90% in August 2026. Borrowers with stronger credit tend to be closer to bank averages; fair and poor credit borrowers usually pay more.
What makes up your credit score
FICO publishes how much each category counts in a FICO Score:
- Payment history, 35%: whether you've paid on time.
- Amounts owed, 30%: how much you owe, including how much of your card limits you're using.
- Length of credit history, 15%: how long your accounts have been open.
- New credit, 10%: recent applications and new accounts.
- Credit mix, 10%: the variety of credit types you have.
That means the two fastest levers are paying on time and keeping balances low.
Is 700 a good credit score? Score-by-score answers
- 800: exceptional. You'll typically qualify for the best rates available.
- 750: very good.
- 700: good. Most lenders will compete for you.
- 670: the bottom of good.
- 650: fair, close to good.
- 600: fair. See loans for a 600 credit score.
- 550: poor, but many lenders that focus on income will still review you.
- 500: poor. Secured, title and small installment loans are the usual options.
Need a loan before your score improves?
Life doesn't always wait for a better score. Many lenders, especially for smaller loans, weigh your income and bank activity alongside your score, and some use alternative credit data instead of a traditional hard pull from the big three bureaus. A fair or poor score can affect the amount and price, but it doesn't stop you from applying.
See if you qualify — it takes about 3 minutes. Start your free request. There is no obligation to accept an offer.
How to raise your credit score
- Pay every bill on time. Set autopay for at least the minimum.
- Lower your card balances. Paying down revolving debt reduces the amounts-owed factor.
- Check your reports for errors. Get free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute mistakes with the bureau.
- Limit new applications. Rate checks with soft inquiries don't affect your score, according to the CFPB; hard inquiries can have a small effect.
- Keep old accounts open when it makes sense, to protect the length of your history.
- Add positive history. An installment loan or credit builder loan that reports on-time payments can help. See credit builder loans.
How lenders use your score
Your score is a starting point, not the whole decision. Lenders typically combine it with your income, existing debts and the type of loan you want. A mortgage lender may set a strict minimum, while a small-dollar lender may lean much more on your bank deposits. That's why two lenders can give the same person very different answers, and why comparing offers matters at every score level. If a lender turns you down based on your credit report, it must send you a notice explaining your rights, including how to get a free copy of the report it used.
Credit score myths
- "Checking my own score hurts it." No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and doesn't affect your scores.
- "I have one credit score." You have many, depending on the model and bureau.
- "Income is part of my score." It isn't, though lenders look at income separately when you apply.
- "Paying off a loan early always raises my score." Not necessarily; closing an account can change your mix. It still saves interest.
Get loan offers at any score
Zebra Finance is a free loan-matching service, not a lender. One short form, about 3 minutes, reaches lenders in our network that serve your state, with requests from $100 to $5,000. All credit types can apply. Many lenders decide within minutes, and approved funds can arrive as soon as the next business day. You'll see the APR, fees and total before you accept, and there's no obligation.
See if you qualify — it takes about 3 minutes. Start your free request. There is no obligation to accept an offer.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good credit score?
On the FICO scale of 300 to 850, a good score is 670 to 739. Scores of 740 to 799 are very good and 800 or higher is exceptional. Fair is 580 to 669, and poor is below 580. Lenders set their own cutoffs, so "good enough" depends on the loan.
Is 700 a good credit score?
Yes. A 700 FICO score falls in the good range of 670 to 739. Most lenders will consider you, and you can often compare several competitive offers. Moving above 740 can get you into the very good tier and lower rates.
What is a good credit score to get a personal loan?
There's no single minimum. Many lenders prefer 670 or higher for their best rates, but online lenders commonly approve fair credit (580 to 669), and some work with lower scores by focusing on income. Our form reaches lenders that consider all credit types.
How fast can I raise my credit score?
It depends on what's holding it down. Paying down high card balances can help within a billing cycle or two, once new balances are reported. Recovering from late payments takes longer. Correcting errors can help as soon as the bureau updates your report.
Is a 600 credit score bad?
A 600 FICO score is in the fair range, just above poor. It limits some options and raises rates, but many online personal and installment lenders consider borrowers at 600, especially with steady income and low debts. A few months of on-time payments and lower balances can lift it.
Why do I have different credit scores?
Your score depends on the scoring model, the bureau whose report is used, and the date it's calculated, according to the CFPB. Lenders may use different FICO versions, VantageScore or their own models, so small differences between the scores you see are normal and expected.
Sources
- myFICO — What is a FICO Score?
- CFPB — What is a credit score?
- CFPB — What is a credit inquiry?
- Federal Reserve — G.19 Consumer Credit
- 15 U.S.C. 1681m — Requirements on users of consumer reports (adverse action notices)