FICO Score Ranges: What's Good, Fair, Poor, and Exceptional

FICO® scores range from 300 to 850. A score of 670 or above is considered "Good," 740-799 is "Very Good," and 800-850 is "Exceptional," according to the rating categories published by Fair Isaac Corporation on myFICO.com. The average FICO score in the U.S. has been around 715 in recent years, based on Experian's annual State of Credit report.

Where you fall on that scale directly affects whether lenders approve your applications, what interest rate they offer, and how much borrowing costs you over time. Here's a detailed breakdown of every FICO score range and what it means for your financial life.

The Five FICO Score Ranges

FICO organizes scores into five tiers. These categories are published on myFICO.com and are the same regardless of which FICO scoring model version is used (FICO 8, FICO 9, FICO 10, etc.).

Exceptional: 800-850

This is the top tier. Scores in this range tell lenders you have a long track record of responsible credit management with virtually no negative marks.

What you get:

• Approval for nearly any credit product available
• The lowest interest rates offered by lenders
• The highest credit limits
• Premium credit cards with the best rewards and perks
• The most favorable mortgage terms

Who's here: About 21% of the U.S. population has a FICO score of 800 or above, according to Experian data. These consumers typically have a lengthy credit history with no late payments, very low utilization, and a healthy mix of account types.

Practical reality: There's no meaningful difference between an 800 and an 850. Once you cross 800, you're already qualifying for the best terms available. Chasing 850 makes for a nice personal milestone but won't save you any additional money.

Very Good: 740-799

Scores in this range are above the national average and signal to lenders that you're a dependable borrower.

What you get:

• Approval for most credit products
• Interest rates that are close to (and sometimes identical to) those offered to the Exceptional tier
• Strong negotiating position for mortgage and auto loan rates
• Access to most premium rewards credit cards

Who's here: Roughly 25% of Americans fall in this range. Consumers here typically have consistent on-time payment histories and moderate utilization, though they may have minor blemishes like an older late payment or a slightly shorter credit history compared to the Exceptional group.

Key insight: For most lending decisions, a 750 gets you almost the same terms as an 820. The 740 threshold is often cited by mortgage professionals as the point where borrowers unlock the best conventional mortgage rates.

Good: 670-739

This is the range that includes the national average. FICO describes it as "near or slightly above the average of U.S. consumers," and most lenders consider it acceptable.

What you get:

• Approval for most standard credit products
• Reasonable interest rates, though not the absolute best
• Access to many rewards credit cards (though some premium cards may require higher scores)
• Mortgage approval at competitive rates, though a 670 will get a higher rate than a 740

Who's here: About 21% of Americans are in this range. Many people in this tier have a solid payment history with perhaps one or two missed payments in the past, moderate utilization, and a few years of credit history.

What to watch: If you're in the low 670s, focus on reducing credit card balances and ensuring every payment hits on time. Moving from 670 to 740 can save you significantly on a mortgage because of how lenders set rate tiers.

Fair: 580-669

Scores in this range are below the national average. Lenders see you as a higher-risk borrower, which means fewer options and higher costs.

What you get:

• Some credit cards will approve you, but often with lower limits, higher APRs, and annual fees
• Subprime auto loan rates, which can be several percentage points higher than prime rates
• FHA mortgage approval is possible (FHA requires a minimum FICO of 580 for the 3.5% down payment option), but at higher rates
• Possible requirement for security deposits on utilities and apartments

Who's here: About 17% of Americans. Common scenarios include people recovering from a late payment, those who have recently had a collection or settled a debt, or people early in their credit-building journey who have thin files.

Path forward: This range is highly responsive to improvement. Paying down credit card balances, making all payments on time for six months, and disputing any errors on your report can move you into the Good range relatively quickly. The difference between a 660 and a 680 might seem small, but it crosses a threshold that many lenders use as a minimum for standard products.

Poor: 300-579

This range indicates significant credit problems and represents the highest risk category for lenders.

What you get:

• Declined for most unsecured credit cards
• Secured credit cards (requiring a cash deposit) are typically your best option
• Very high auto loan rates if approved, often 15%+ APR
• Difficulty renting an apartment without a co-signer or additional deposit
• Some employers may view credit report issues unfavorably for positions involving financial responsibility

Who's here: About 16% of Americans. Scores this low usually reflect major negative events: bankruptcies, multiple accounts in collections, a history of late payments, or judgments. Some people are here simply because of medical debt or an unexpected financial hardship.

Path forward: Rebuilding from this range is absolutely possible, but it takes patience. The most effective steps are getting current on any delinquent accounts, keeping balances as low as possible on any open cards, and waiting for the oldest negative items to age off your report. Negative items fall off your credit report seven years from the date of first delinquency (10 years for Chapter 7 bankruptcy).

For rebuilding strategies, see our How to Improve Your FICO Score guide.

How Score Ranges Affect Interest Rates

Your FICO score range directly translates to the interest rate you're offered, which is where the real financial impact lives. Even a fraction of a percentage point on a large loan adds up significantly over time.

Mortgage Rates by Score Range

Mortgage lenders set rates in tiers based on FICO scores. Using data from myFICO's loan savings calculator as a reference framework, here's how the math works on a $350,000 30-year fixed mortgage:

The spread between the best rate tier and the worst qualifying tier on a 30-year mortgage can mean paying over $100,000 more in total interest over the life of the loan, based on myFICO's published examples. That's real money that goes to the lender instead of staying in your pocket.

Auto Loan Rates by Score Range

Auto lenders use FICO Auto Scores (which have a 250-900 range), but the general FICO score tiers give a strong indication of where you'll land. Borrowers with scores above 720 typically receive the most competitive auto loan rates, while those below 620 enter subprime territory with rates that can exceed 15% APR on used vehicles, according to Experian's State of the Automotive Finance Market reports.

Credit Card APR by Score Range

Credit card APRs vary widely, but the pattern is consistent:

• Exceptional/Very Good (740+): Qualify for the best rewards cards with the lowest APRs. Some cards offer 0% introductory rates for 12-21 months.
• Good (670-739): Access to most rewards cards, though APRs tend to be in the mid-range. Some premium cards may require 720+.
• Fair (580-669): Limited to cards with higher APRs, lower limits, and possible annual fees. Secured cards are still a strong option here.
• Poor (below 580): Secured cards or credit-builder products are the primary options. Unsecured cards in this range often carry significant fees.

Score Distribution: Where Americans Stand

Based on Experian's data and FICO's published research, the distribution of FICO scores across the U.S. population looks roughly like this:

The average FICO score has been trending upward over the past decade. According to Experian, it reached 714 in 2023 and has been in the 710-717 range in recent reports. This upward trend correlates with increased consumer awareness of credit scores and wider availability of free score monitoring tools.

What Lenders Actually Look At

Your FICO score is important, but it's not the only thing lenders evaluate. Most lending decisions consider:

• FICO score: The primary risk indicator used for initial screening and rate-setting
• Income and employment: Your ability to repay, verified through pay stubs, tax returns, or bank statements
• Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Your total monthly debt payments divided by your gross monthly income. Most mortgage lenders want this below 43%, with some preferring 36% or lower.
• Down payment or collateral: Larger down payments reduce lender risk, sometimes overcoming a marginal score
• Loan-to-value ratio (LTV): How much you're borrowing relative to the asset's value
• Account history specifics: A lender may review the details behind your score, not just the number

A 680 score with a 25% down payment and low DTI can get you a mortgage. A 720 score with a 60% DTI and no savings might not. The score gets your foot in the door; everything else determines what happens after that.

How to Move Between Score Ranges

The strategies for improving your score are the same regardless of where you start, but the timeline and priorities differ based on your current range.

From Poor to Fair (300-579 → 580-669)

Priority: Stop the bleeding, then build positive history.

• Get current on any delinquent accounts
• Open a secured credit card and make small purchases, paying the full balance monthly
• Dispute any errors on your credit report (see your free report at AnnualCreditReport.com)
• Wait for old negative items to age (they lose impact over time and are removed after seven years)

Realistic timeline: 6-18 months to cross into the Fair range, assuming no new negative items and consistent positive activity.

From Fair to Good (580-669 → 670-739)

Priority: Reduce utilization and maintain a clean payment record.

• Pay down credit card balances to get utilization below 30% (ideally below 20%)
• Set up autopay to eliminate any risk of missed payments
• Avoid opening too many new accounts at once
• Consider requesting a credit limit increase (without spending more) to lower utilization

Realistic timeline: 3-12 months with focused effort on utilization and on-time payments.

From Good to Very Good (670-739 → 740-799)

Priority: Get utilization as low as possible and let time work for you.

• Push utilization below 10% across all cards
• Keep old accounts open to maintain average account age
• Limit hard inquiries to only necessary applications
• Continue perfect on-time payment history

Realistic timeline: 6-18 months. This jump often happens naturally as your credit history ages and utilization stays low.

From Very Good to Exceptional (740-799 → 800+)

Priority: Patience and consistency.

• Maintain near-zero utilization reported on statement dates
• Let your credit age continue to grow
• Keep your credit mix healthy
• Avoid any late payments or negative marks

Realistic timeline: 12+ months, and often it just takes time for your credit history to lengthen. Many people in this range simply maintain good habits and let the score climb on its own.

For detailed improvement strategies at every level, see our How to Improve Your FICO Score guide.

What About Sub-Scores and Sector-Specific Scores?

The 300-850 range applies to the general-purpose FICO Score (versions 8, 9, 10). However, FICO also produces industry-specific scores for auto lending and credit card decisioning that use a wider 250-900 range.

If a car dealer tells you your score is 780 but your free credit monitoring shows 720, it's possible they pulled a FICO Auto Score with its expanded range. The different scale doesn't mean one score is wrong. They're just different models built for different purposes.

Mortgage lenders currently use older FICO versions (FICO 2, 4, and 5 depending on the bureau), and these older models can produce scores that differ from the FICO 8 most commonly shown in free monitoring tools. If you're preparing for a mortgage, consider getting your scores from myFICO.com to see the specific versions your lender will use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What FICO score do I need to buy a house?

For a conventional mortgage, most lenders require a minimum FICO score of 620. FHA loans allow scores as low as 580 with a 3.5% down payment, or 500-579 with a 10% down payment, according to FHA guidelines published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development. VA loans don't have an official minimum, but most lenders use 620 as a benchmark. The best mortgage rates are typically reserved for scores of 740 and above.

What is the average FICO score in America?

According to Experian's State of Credit data, the average FICO score in the U.S. has been in the 714-717 range in recent years, placing the national average in the "Good" category.

Is 700 a good credit score?

A 700 falls in the "Good" range (670-739) according to FICO's categories. It's above the minimum for most standard credit products and should qualify you for decent interest rates. However, pushing into the 740+ "Very Good" range unlocks better mortgage and auto loan rates.

What is the lowest possible FICO score?

The lowest possible FICO score is 300. In practice, it's unusual to see scores this low because it requires an active credit file with severely negative information. Someone with no credit history at all simply doesn't have a score, rather than having a 300.

How fast can I raise my FICO score by 100 points?

The timeline depends on what's in your credit report. If your score is depressed primarily by high credit card utilization, paying down balances can produce a significant increase within one to two billing cycles. If your score is low because of late payments or collections, improvement is slower because those items stay on your report for seven years (though their impact fades over time). A jump of 100 points typically takes three to twelve months with consistent effort, but individual results vary widely.

Does my score range affect apartment rental applications?

Yes. Many landlords and property management companies run credit checks. While there's no universal minimum, scores below 620 may trigger additional scrutiny, a higher security deposit, or a co-signer requirement. Scores above 670 generally meet most landlords' criteria without issue.

Sources: Fair Isaac Corporation (myfico.com), Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (consumerfinance.gov), Experian (experian.com), Federal Reserve (federalreserve.gov)

This content is for educational purposes only and is not financial advice. See our financial disclaimer for details.