What Is a Good Credit Score in 2026?
Your credit score is one number that affects your mortgage rate, car loan, insurance, and even your apartment application. Here's exactly what the ranges mean and what you can do to improve yours.
A good FICO credit score is 670-739. Very good is 740-799. Exceptional is 800+. Scores below 580 are considered poor. Most mortgage lenders offer their best rates to borrowers with scores of 740 or higher.
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FICO Credit Score Ranges
| Range | Category | Typical Mortgage Rate Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 800–850 | Exceptional | Best available rates |
| 740–799 | Very Good | Near-best rates |
| 670–739 | Good | Competitive rates |
| 580–669 | Fair | Higher rates, some lender restrictions |
| 300–579 | Poor | Very high rates or denial |
What Score Do You Need?
For a conventional mortgage: 620 minimum, 740+ for best rates. For FHA loans: 580 with 3.5% down, or 500 with 10% down. For most auto loans: 670+ for competitive rates. For premium rewards credit cards: typically 700+.
The 5 Factors That Determine Your Score
- Payment history (35%) — single most important factor
- Credit utilization (30%) — keep below 30%, ideally below 10%
- Length of credit history (15%) — older accounts help
- Credit mix (10%) — cards + installment loans is ideal
- New inquiries (10%) — limit hard pulls to when necessary
Fastest Ways to Improve Your Score
The two fastest levers are paying down credit card balances (reduces utilization immediately) and disputing any errors on your credit report (free at AnnualCreditReport.com). Consistent on-time payments build score over months. Never close your oldest credit card — it helps your average credit age.
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