What Is a Good Credit Score? Ranges Explained

By Joy Jacob · Updated 2026-06-08 · 2 min read

A credit score is a three-digit number that lenders use to estimate how likely you are to repay borrowed money. The two main models — FICO and VantageScore — both run on a 300 to 850 scale, and the CFPB notes that higher scores generally unlock lower interest rates on loans and cards. The score itself is built from the information in your credit reports.

The ranges

Range	Tier
800–850	Exceptional
740–799	Very good
670–739	Good
580–669	Fair
300–579	Poor

Most lenders treat 670 and above as “good.” You don't need 850 — once you're in the mid-700s, you generally qualify for the best advertised rates, and the marginal benefit of squeezing out more points shrinks fast.

The five things that build your score

FICO publishes the rough weighting of what goes into its score. In descending order of importance:

• Payment history (~35%): do you pay on time? This is the single biggest factor. One payment 30+ days late can drop a good score sharply.
• Amounts owed / utilization (~30%): how much of your available credit you're using. Keeping balances under ~30% of your limits — ideally under 10% — helps.
• Length of credit history (~15%): older accounts help, which is why closing your oldest card can hurt.
• Credit mix (~10%): a blend of cards and installment loans.
• New credit (~10%): many applications in a short window can ding you.

How to check it for free

You're entitled to a free copy of your credit report from each of the three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — through the federally authorized site AnnualCreditReport.com. Note your report (the underlying data) is separate from your score; many banks and card issuers now show your score free on your statement or app. Check your reports for errors, since mistakes can drag a score down.