What Is a Good Credit Score in 2026?

Key Takeaways

FICO defines 670–739 as "good" — a reasonable baseline for most credit products.
The average FICO score in the US is approximately 717, placing most Americans in the "good" tier.
Mortgage lenders typically want 620+ (FHA) or 700+ (conventional) for competitive rates.
A score of 740+ qualifies you for the best available interest rates on most loans.
"Good" is relative — the higher your score, the better your terms on every product.

Ask ten lenders what a "good" credit score is and you'll get ten different answers. The reason: each lender sets its own minimum requirements, and what's acceptable for a secured credit card is very different from what you need for a 30-year mortgage at the best available rate. That said, there are widely accepted ranges that give you a clear picture of where you stand.

The Standard FICO Score Ranges

Score Range	Rating	% of Americans	What You Typically Qualify For
800–850	Exceptional	~21%	Best rates on all products; top card rewards programs
740–799	Very Good	~25%	Near-best rates; easy approval on most credit products
670–739	Good	~21%	Competitive rates; approved for most mainstream credit products
580–669	Fair	~17%	Higher APRs; limited to basic cards; personal loans with restrictions
300–579	Poor	~16%	Secured cards; credit-builder loans; most unsecured lending unavailable

What Is the Average Credit Score in 2026?

The average FICO score in the United States is approximately 717, firmly in the "good" category. Scores have been gradually climbing since the mid-2010s, driven by increased consumer awareness, the removal of certain medical debt from reports, and wider access to credit monitoring tools.

However, averages vary significantly by age group:

Age Group	Average FICO Score (approx.)
18–24	679
25–40	690
41–56	709
57–75	745
76+	760

Older consumers tend to have higher scores largely because of longer credit histories and more established repayment records — not because of any preference in the scoring model.

What Score Do You Need for Specific Products?

Mortgage Loans

FHA loan: 580+ with 3.5% down; 500–579 with 10% down (lender-dependent)
Conventional loan: 620+ to qualify; 740+ for the best rates
VA loan: No official minimum, but most lenders require 620+
Jumbo loan: Typically 700–720 minimum

Auto Loans

Super prime (best rates): 720+
Prime: 660–719 — good rates, minor premium over super prime
Near prime: 620–659 — noticeably higher APR
Subprime: 580–619 — high APR; some lenders require larger down payment
Deep subprime: Below 580 — limited lenders; very high APR

Credit Cards

Rewards cards (travel, cash back): Generally 670–700+
0% intro APR cards: Usually 700+
Basic unsecured card: 580–620+ (higher fees, lower limits)
Secured card: Available at any score, including no score

Personal Loans

Best rates (APR under 10%): 720+ typically required
Competitive rates (10–15% APR): 670–719
Fair rates (15–25% APR): 580–669
High-cost lenders: Will lend below 580, but at significant cost

For more on qualifying for a personal loan, see our guide on personal loans for bad credit.

The Real Cost of a "Fair" vs "Good" Score

The financial stakes of moving from fair to good credit are substantial. Consider a $250,000 30-year mortgage:

Credit Score	Approx. Rate (2026)	Monthly Payment	Total Interest Paid
760–850	6.4%	$1,562	$312,320
700–759	6.6%	$1,597	$324,920
680–699	6.8%	$1,631	$337,160
660–679	7.1%	$1,679	$354,440
640–659	7.5%	$1,748	$379,280
620–639	8.0%	$1,834	$410,240

The difference between a 620 and a 760 score on this single mortgage is nearly $100,000 in interest. Across a lifetime of borrowing — car loans, credit cards, personal loans — the gap compounds dramatically.

How to Move Up a Tier

The fastest levers for improving your score are:

Pay on time, every time. Payment history is 35% of your FICO score. Even one missed payment can set you back 50–100 points.
Lower your utilization. Getting your credit card balances below 30% of your limits — ideally below 10% — can add significant points quickly. See our guide on credit utilization.
Dispute errors on your report. A single incorrect late payment or collection can suppress your score unfairly. Learn how to dispute errors.
Don't close old accounts. Older accounts contribute to a longer average credit history, which benefits your score.
Limit new credit applications. Each hard inquiry costs a few points; spacing out applications protects your score.

You don't need a perfect 850 to get excellent terms. Reaching 740–760 qualifies you for the best rates on nearly every product. Beyond that, the incremental benefit is minimal.