What is a good credit score? In the US, a FICO score of 670 or higher is generally considered good, 740 or higher is very good, and 800 or higher is exceptional. But the number alone does not tell the whole story — what counts as “good” depends on which scoring model is used and what you are applying for. A score that sails through a credit card approval might still mean a higher mortgage rate. This guide breaks down every FICO and VantageScore range, explains why 670 is the magic threshold, and shows what each band actually unlocks.
What Is a Good Credit Score? The FICO Ranges
FICO scores run from 300 to 850. Here is how lenders generally interpret each band:
- 800–850 (Exceptional): the best rates and terms on the market. Roughly 1 in 5 Americans sits in this range.
- 740–799 (Very Good): qualifies for the lowest advertised mortgage and auto loan rates at most lenders.
- 670–739 (Good): approved for most credit products at competitive — though not the absolute lowest — rates.
- 580–669 (Fair): approvals possible, but expect higher APRs, lower limits, and possible fees.
- 300–579 (Poor): limited to secured products, credit-builder tools, or subprime lenders with steep pricing.
The jump from 669 to 670 matters more than the jump from 740 to 750. Crossing into “good” territory is where mainstream lenders start competing for your business instead of merely tolerating it.
VantageScore Ranges: Slightly Different Labels
VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0 also use a 300 to 850 scale, with these bands:
- 781–850 (Excellent)
- 661–780 (Good)
- 601–660 (Fair)
- 500–600 (Poor)
- 300–499 (Very Poor)
Notice the “good” threshold here is 661 rather than 670. If you track your score on a free service like Credit Karma, you are seeing VantageScore — useful for trends, but remember that most lenders decide with FICO. Start by learning how to check your credit score for free so you can see both models side by side.
Why 670+ Unlocks Better Rates
Lenders price risk in tiers, and 670 is where the pricing curve bends in your favor:
- Mortgages: borrowers above 740 typically get the lowest published rates; those between 670 and 739 pay modestly more; below 670, FHA loans become the main path.
- Auto loans: the rate gap between good and fair credit can exceed 5 percentage points — see our auto loan rates by credit score breakdown.
- Personal loans: 670+ opens mainstream lenders with no origination fees, as explained in our guide to what credit score is needed for a personal loan.
- Credit cards: the best rewards cards generally require 670+, with premium cards clustering around 740+.
On a $300,000 mortgage, the difference between a 7 percent and a 6.5 percent rate is roughly $100 per month — $36,000 over 30 years. Score bands are not vanity metrics; they are dollars.
What Is a Good Credit Score for Your Specific Goal?
“Good” is relative to the product:
- Renting an apartment: many landlords look for 620 to 650+.
- Buying a car: 670+ gets competitive rates; 720+ gets the best.
- Buying a home: 620+ for conventional loans, 580+ for FHA with 3.5 percent down, 740+ for top-tier pricing.
- Premium rewards cards: 720+ is the practical floor for the most competitive offers.
Set your target to the product you want next, then work backward. If you are below your target, follow our proven plan to improve your credit score, or start at zero with our guide to build credit from scratch.
How to Climb Into the Next Score Band
Moving from one band to the next is a concrete project, not luck. If you sit at 640, the 30 points to 670 typically come from paying credit card balances below 30 percent utilization and clearing up small collections or errors on your reports. From 700 to 740, the levers shift toward time: six to twelve months of perfect payments plus consistently low utilization.
Track progress against the right model — FICO when a loan application is approaching, VantageScore for month-to-month trends. And protect your gains: a single 30-day late payment can erase a year of progress, which is why autopay on every account is non-negotiable once you start climbing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 700 a good credit score?
Yes. A 700 FICO sits comfortably in the “good” range and qualifies you for most loans and cards at reasonable rates. Pushing toward 740+ unlocks the very best pricing, especially on mortgages.
What is a good credit score for a 20-year-old?
There is no age-adjusted scale — 670+ is good at any age. Young borrowers with thin files often land in the 670 to 720 range after a year or two of perfect payments, which is a strong start.
Can my score be good at one bureau and fair at another?
Yes, because lenders do not always report to all three bureaus and the bureaus may hold slightly different data. Differences of 10 to 20 points between bureaus are normal; large gaps warrant a report review for errors.
How long does a good score take to build?
With consistent on-time payments and low utilization, many people reach 670+ within 12 to 18 months of starting. Reaching 760+ usually takes several years of thick, clean history.
Conclusion
So what is a good credit score? Aim for 670 as your first milestone, 740 for the best rates, and 800 as the long-term goal. Know which model your lender uses, track your trend monthly, and remember that every band you climb translates directly into money saved.