Credit Score Ranges Explained: What Each Number Means

Key Takeaways

FICO scores range from 300 to 850; five tiers from Poor to Exceptional.
Crossing from Fair (669) to Good (670) can meaningfully lower your interest rates.
Each 20-point improvement in score can lower your mortgage APR by 0.1–0.2%.
Even a "poor" score doesn't lock you out of all credit — secured cards and credit-builder loans remain accessible.
The fastest way to move up a tier is to lower your credit utilization and eliminate missed payments.

A credit score isn't just a number — it's a financial passport. Each tier of the 300–850 scale unlocks different products, rates, and opportunities. Understanding what your specific score means in practical terms helps you set realistic goals and measure real progress.

Full Range Breakdown with Loan APR Estimates

Score	Tier	Personal Loan APR (est.)	Auto Loan APR (est.)	Credit Card APR (est.)
800–850	Exceptional	7–10%	4–5%	16–18%
740–799	Very Good	10–14%	5–7%	18–21%
670–739	Good	14–19%	7–10%	21–24%
580–669	Fair	19–28%	11–17%	24–29%
300–579	Poor	28–36%+	18–25%+	Mostly unavailable (secured only)

Note: APRs are estimates based on 2026 market data. Actual rates depend on lender, loan amount, term, and other factors.

Poor Credit: 300–579

A poor credit score is the result of significant negative events — missed payments, collections, charge-offs, bankruptcy, or simply having no credit history at all. Approximately 16% of Americans fall in this range.

What's available:

Secured credit cards (you deposit collateral, usually $200–$500)
Credit-builder loans from credit unions and community banks
Subprime auto loans at very high rates
Some personal loans from online lenders — but APRs are often 30–36%

Priority action: Focus entirely on building payment history and reducing existing negative marks. See our guide on how to repair bad credit for a step-by-step plan.

Fair Credit: 580–669

Fair credit is better than poor, but you're still paying a meaningful premium for borrowing. This tier often results from a mix of some on-time payments and some blemishes — a late payment here, high utilization there. About 17% of Americans are in this range.

What's available:

Unsecured credit cards with higher fees and lower limits
FHA mortgage (580+ with 3.5% down)
Personal loans at 19–28% APR
Auto loans — available, but expect 11–17% APR

Priority action: Reduce credit utilization below 30% and get any missed payments resolved. Moving from 620 to 670 can be achieved within 6–12 months with disciplined habits.

Good Credit: 670–739

Good credit is where things start to open up. You'll be approved for most mainstream credit products, and your interest rates become genuinely competitive. About 21% of Americans are here — and the average American (717) sits in this tier.

What's available:

Most credit cards, including some rewards cards
Conventional mortgages (with standard rates)
Personal loans at 14–19% APR
Auto loans at 7–10% APR

Priority action: Keep utilization low (ideally under 10%), don't open unnecessary new accounts, and let your history age. Moving from good to very good is mostly about time and consistency.

Very Good Credit: 740–799

At this level, you qualify for nearly every credit product at competitive rates. You're in the top third of American consumers. Only minor differences in terms exist between this tier and exceptional.

What's available:

Premium rewards credit cards
Best conventional mortgage rates
Personal loans at 10–14% APR
Auto loans at 5–7% APR

Exceptional Credit: 800–850

Exceptional credit represents the top 21% of consumers. At this level, you receive the best terms available on every credit product. The difference between 800 and 850 is functionally irrelevant — lenders treat the entire 800+ range identically.

Chasing a perfect 850 is not worth the effort. Getting to 740 unlocks the same rates as 800+. Focus your energy on maintaining what got you there, not on incrementally optimizing an already-excellent score.

How to Move Up One Tier

Current Tier	Fastest Path to Next Tier	Realistic Timeframe
Poor (300–579)	Secured card + on-time payments + dispute any errors	12–24 months
Fair (580–669)	Lower utilization below 30%; resolve any late payments	6–12 months
Good (670–739)	Reduce utilization below 10%; avoid new inquiries; age accounts	6–18 months
Very Good (740–799)	Maintain perfect payment history; don't close old accounts	12–24 months

Understanding how your credit score is calculated helps you focus on the highest-impact changes. For specific strategies, read our complete guide on repairing bad credit.