Credit Score Ranges Explained
FICO scores run from 300 to 850. But the number only matters in context — here's what each range actually means for your life, in concrete terms.
Exceptional
800–850
US adults
21%
Best available rates on everything. Mortgage lenders compete for you. Credit limit increases offered proactively. Some cards reserved exclusively for this tier.
- •Mortgage rates at the very best tier
- •Credit card approval near-certain for any product
- •Car loans at 0% promotional rates common
- •Landlords waive deposit requirements
Very Good
740–799
US adults
25%
Excellent credit. You qualify for nearly all products at competitive rates. Minimal practical difference from Exceptional for most purchases.
- •Mortgage rates 0.2–0.4% above Exceptional tier
- •Premium travel rewards cards approved
- •Car loans at very low rates
- •Apartment applications approved without hassle
Good
670–739
US adults
21%
Above the national average. Approved for most products, though not always the very best rate. The 'good enough' tier where most people plateau.
- •Mortgage approved, but rate may be 0.5–0.8% higher than top tier
- •Most credit cards approved, best rewards cards may require higher
- •Car loan approved at standard rates
- •Occasional landlord deposit requirements
Fair
580–669
US adults
17%
Below average. Higher interest rates, deposits required, limited product selection. FHA loans available. The tier where credit starts costing real money.
- •Mortgage may require FHA loan (additional insurance cost)
- •Double security deposits on apartments common
- •Car loan at 8–14% APR vs 3–5% for top tier
- •Secured credit cards may be the only option
- •Higher insurance premiums in states that allow credit-based rates
Poor
300–579
US adults
16%
Significant difficulty getting approved for anything. Security deposits on utilities. Sub-prime lending with very high rates if approved at all.
- •Most mortgage products unavailable
- •FHA requires 10% down payment at this range
- •Car loans at 18–25%+ APR if approved
- •Credit card applications mostly denied or secured only
- •Utility companies may require deposits
- •Employment background checks flagged in some industries
The national average
The average FICO score in the United States is approximately 718— squarely in the "Good" range. If you're above 740, you're ahead of most Americans. If you're below 670, you're paying more for credit than you should be.
The most important threshold
For most people, the most impactful threshold to cross is 740. Above this number, nearly all major lenders give you their best rates. The improvement from 740 to 800 is real, but smaller in practical dollar terms than the jump from 670 to 740.
If your score is in the Fair range, the priority is getting out of it. If you're in Good, getting to Very Good is worth pursuing. The journey from 720 to 760 can save you $20,000+ on a mortgage.