The Credit Score Scale: 300–850
Credit scores run from 300 (worst) to 850 (perfect). Most people fall somewhere between 580 and 780. Here's what each range means for your financial life.
Exceptional: 800–850
Only about 21% of Americans have a score in this range. You'll qualify for the lowest interest rates on every type of loan, and approval is nearly guaranteed. This is the goal — but even reaching 750 puts you in excellent shape.
Very Good: 740–799
You'll get excellent rates, just slightly higher than the top tier. Most premium rewards credit cards will approve you at this level. This range is very achievable with disciplined credit management.
Good: 670–739
This is the "near-prime" range — you'll get approved by most lenders, but interest rates start climbing. The difference between 670 and 740 on a mortgage can be thousands of dollars over the loan term.
Fair: 580–669
Also called "subprime." You can still get credit, but at significantly higher rates, with lower limits, and sometimes with required deposits. Many attractive credit card offers won't be available. This is where improvement pays off most.
Poor: 300–579
Very limited credit access. You may need a secured credit card (deposit required) to start rebuilding. Focus on paying all bills on time and avoiding new negative items. See our guide to building credit from scratch.
The Financial Impact of Each Range
On a $300,000 30-year mortgage, the difference between a 620 score (7.5% rate) and a 760 score (6.5% rate) is over $65,000 in total interest. Every point matters. Learn how to raise your score 100 points.