What credit score do you need to buy a house?

Most conventional mortgages require a minimum score of 620. FHA loans accept scores as low as 580 with a 3.5% down payment, or 500 with a 10% down payment. For the best mortgage rates, you want a score of 740 or higher.

What credit score do you need to buy a car?

You can get an auto loan with a score as low as 500, but you will pay very high interest rates. A score of 660+ gets you competitive rates. A score of 720+ gets you the best rates — often 0% promotional financing from dealerships.

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

With active credit repair — disputing errors, reducing utilization, and adding positive accounts — most people can move from poor (580) to good (670+) in 6–12 months. Moving from fair to very good typically takes 12–24 months of consistent positive behavior.

Does checking your credit score lower it?

No. Checking your own credit score is always a soft inquiry and has zero impact on your score. You can check it as many times as you want without any negative effect.

What Is a Good Credit Score in the U.S.? Complete 2026 Guide

In the United States, credit scores range from 300 to 850. A "good" credit score is generally considered to be 670 or above on the FICO scale — but the higher your score, the better the rates and terms you will receive on loans, credit cards, and mortgages.

Understanding exactly where your score falls — and what it means for your financial life — is the first step to improving it. Here is the complete breakdown of every credit score range and what each one means in practice.

FICO Credit Score Ranges Explained

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Exceptional800–850

Best interest rates available

Instant approval on most cards

Lowest mortgage rates

Premium rewards cards

Very Good740–799

Near-best interest rates

Approved for most products

Good mortgage rates

Most rewards cards

Good670–739

Competitive rates

Approved for most loans

Standard credit cards

Decent mortgage rates

Fair580–669

Higher interest rates

Limited card options

May need co-signer

Subprime mortgage rates

Poor300–579

Very high rates or denied

Secured cards only

Deposits required

Difficulty renting

What Does Your Credit Score Actually Affect?

Mortgage Interest Rate

A 100-point difference in your score can mean a 0.5%–1.5% difference in your mortgage rate — that is $50,000–$150,000 over a 30-year loan.

Auto Loan Rate

Going from a 580 to a 720 score can drop your auto loan rate from 12% to 4% — saving $3,000–$8,000 on a typical car loan.

Credit Card APR

Excellent credit gets you 0% promotional APR offers and rewards cards. Poor credit means 25–30% APR and secured cards only.

Apartment Rental

Many landlords require a minimum score of 620–650. Below that, you may need a larger deposit or a co-signer.

Insurance Premiums

In most states, insurers use credit-based insurance scores. Better credit = lower auto and home insurance premiums.

Employment

Some employers check credit for positions involving financial responsibility. A poor credit history can affect hiring decisions.

How to Move Up to the Next Score Range

Poor → Fair (580+)

Pay down credit card balances to under 30% utilization
Set up autopay to never miss a payment
Dispute any errors on your credit report
Open a secured credit card and use it responsibly

Fair → Good (670+)

Reduce utilization to under 10% on all cards
Add a credit builder loan for installment history
Negotiate pay-for-delete on any remaining collections
Keep all accounts current for 12+ consecutive months

Good → Very Good (740+)

Maintain utilization under 5% consistently
Keep oldest accounts open and active
Avoid new credit applications for 12+ months
Monitor all three bureaus weekly for errors