What Is a Good Credit Score? (US & UK Ranges Explained)

Key Takeaways

• In the US, a "good" FICO score starts at 670. A score of 740+ is "very good" and unlocks the best rates on mortgages, car loans, and credit cards.
• In the UK, "good" depends on the bureau — Experian (881–960), Equifax (531–670), TransUnion (604–627) all use different scales.
• Your credit score is not a pass/fail — it's a pricing tool. A higher score means lower interest rates, not just approval.
• A higher credit score generally qualifies you for a lower mortgage rate, which can add up to significant savings over a 30-year loan. Estimate your own savings with myFICO's loan savings calculator.
• A "good" score tends to follow naturally from consistent positive behaviour over time, even starting from poor credit — though there's no fixed timeline or guarantee.

What Is a Credit Score?

A credit score is a three-digit number — typically between 300 and 850 in the US — that summarises your creditworthiness based on your credit history. Lenders use it to decide whether to approve you for a loan, credit card, or mortgage, and what interest rate to charge you.

The most widely used scoring model in the US is the FICO score. VantageScore is the second most common. In the UK, three separate credit reference agencies (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) each produce their own score on different scales.

A higher score signals lower risk to lenders — meaning better approval odds and lower rates. A lower score signals higher risk — meaning rejections or expensive terms.

US Credit Score Ranges (FICO)

FICO scores range from 300 to 850. Here's how the ranges break down and what they mean in practice:

Score Range	Rating	What It Means
800–850	Exceptional	Best rates on everything; instant approvals; highest limits
740–799	Very Good	Near-best rates; approved for most products; excellent mortgage terms
670–739	Good	Approved for most mainstream products; competitive (not best) rates
580–669	Fair	Some approvals with higher rates; FHA mortgage possible; limited card options
300–579	Poor	Most applications declined; secured cards and credit-builder loans only

What Can You Do at Each Score Level?

800–850 (Exceptional)

You qualify for the best rates on mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards. Lenders compete for your business. You'll typically be offered signup bonuses, premium rewards cards, and the highest credit limits. Less than 20% of Americans have scores in this range.

740–799 (Very Good)

You're in excellent shape. You'll be approved for virtually every mainstream product and receive rates only slightly higher than the exceptional tier. For most financial goals — home buying, car loans, personal loans — there's little practical difference between a 740 and an 800.

670–739 (Good)

The threshold most people aim for. You'll be approved for most credit products, qualify for conventional mortgages, and get competitive (though not best) interest rates. The jump from "fair" to "good" has a larger real-world impact than any other tier transition.

580–669 (Fair)

You can still get approved for some products, but expect higher rates and lower limits. FHA mortgages (which allow scores as low as 580 with 3.5% down) are available. This is the range where active DIY credit repair pays off the most — on-time payments and lower balances can help improve your score.

300–579 (Poor)

Most applications will be declined. Focus on secured credit cards and credit-builder loans to establish positive history. See our guide to the best secured credit cards for building credit — these are specifically designed for this range.

US Credit Score Ranges (VantageScore)

VantageScore also uses a 300–850 range but applies different tier cutoffs:

Score Range	Rating
781–850	Excellent
661–780	Good
601–660	Fair
500–600	Poor
300–499	Very Poor

Most major lenders use FICO for credit decisions, but free credit score services (Credit Karma, Credit Sesame) typically show your VantageScore. This is why your "free" score and your lender's score can look different — they're different models.

UK Credit Score Ranges

The UK has no single universal credit score. Three separate credit reference agencies each maintain their own file on you and produce their own score on a different scale. Most lenders check one or two of them — knowing which one matters for your specific lender is important.

Experian (0–999)

Score	Rating
961–999	Excellent
881–960	Good
721–880	Fair
561–720	Poor
0–560	Very Poor

Check your Experian score free at experian.co.uk. Experian is the most widely used bureau by UK mortgage lenders.

Equifax (0–1,000)

Score	Rating
811–1,000	Excellent
531–810	Good
439–530	Fair
280–438	Poor
0–279	Very Poor

View your Equifax data free via ClearScore.

TransUnion (0–710)

Score	Rating
628–710	Excellent
604–627	Good
566–603	Fair
551–565	Poor
0–550	Very Poor

View your TransUnion score free via Credit Karma UK.

For a full breakdown of improving your score at any UK bureau, see our guide to improving your credit score in the UK.

What a Good Credit Score Is Actually Worth

A higher credit score generally qualifies you for a lower interest rate — on mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards alike. Over the life of a loan, even a modestly lower rate can add up to significant savings.

To see what a higher score could mean for your own mortgage or loan, use myFICO's loan savings calculator to compare rates and estimate potential interest savings.

How to Get a Good Credit Score

The five factors that make up your FICO score, in order of weight:

1. FICO says payment history makes up about 35% of a FICO Score: Never miss a payment. Set up autopay for every account.
2. Credit utilization (30%): Keep balances below 30% of each card's limit — below 10% for the highest scores.
3. Length of credit history (15%): Keep old accounts open. Don't close cards you've had for years.
4. Credit mix (10%): Having both revolving (cards) and installment (loans) accounts helps.
5. New credit (10%): Limit applications. According to FICO, one additional inquiry takes less than five points off most people’s FICO Scores.

For a complete action plan, see our DIY credit repair guide. To explore illustrative, simplified estimates of actions, not predictions of your actual score, use CredNudge's free credit score simulator — no login required.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good credit score to buy a house?

For a conventional mortgage, most lenders require a minimum FICO score of 620, but the best rates go to borrowers at 740+. FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 (with 3.5% down) or even 500 (with 10% down). For the lowest possible mortgage rate, aim for the higher end of the "very good" range before applying — a higher score generally qualifies you for a lower rate. Use myFICO's loan savings calculator to estimate your potential savings.

What is a good credit score for a car loan?

Most auto lenders approve borrowers at 600+, but prime rates (under 6–7%) typically require a score of 700+. Subprime auto loans (for scores below 580) carry rates of 15–25% or higher. If your score is below 670, improving it before financing a car may help reduce interest costs; how much depends on your credit profile and loan terms.

Is 700 a good credit score?

Yes — 700 sits in the "good" range on both FICO and VantageScore scales. You'll be approved for most mainstream credit products and qualify for competitive (though not best) interest rates. To reach "very good" territory and unlock the best rates, the target is 740+. The gap between 700 and 740 is often worth pursuing before a major purchase like a home.

Is 750 a good credit score?

750 is in the "very good" range and is excellent for most purposes. You'll qualify for the best rates on auto loans and personal loans, and near-best rates on mortgages. At 750, the marginal benefit of chasing a higher score is small — focus on maintaining it rather than optimising further unless you're about to apply for a jumbo mortgage.

What is the average credit score in the US?

The average FICO score in the United States is approximately 717 as of 2025 — firmly in the "good" range. Average scores vary by age: younger borrowers (under 30) average around 660–680, while borrowers over 60 average 740+, reflecting longer credit histories and more established payment records.

How long does it take to go from a bad credit score to a good one?

It depends on what's causing the bad score. High utilization alone can be fixed in 30–60 days by paying down balances. Recovery from late payments or collections takes sustained positive history, and the effect fades with time. For a full timeline breakdown, see our guide on how long credit repair takes.

CredNudge Disclaimer

CredNudge provides educational information to help you understand credit scores and financial products. Score ranges and lending criteria are subject to change and vary by lender. Mortgage rate examples are illustrative and based on 2026 market conditions — actual rates will differ. This article does not constitute financial advice.

Want to explore illustrative estimates before you act? Try our free credit score simulator to explore illustrative, simplified estimates of common credit habits, not predictions of your actual score.

Sources

• myFICO: Loan savings calculator
• FICO: What’s in your credit score
• FICO: Credit checks and inquiries