What Is a Good Credit Score?
A good credit score is generally 670 to 739 on the FICO scale, and 661 to 780 on VantageScore. Both models run from 300 to 850. The higher you go, the better your odds of approval and the lower the interest rates you'll be offered.
Credit score ranges at a glance
- Exceptional: 800–850 — the best rates lenders offer
- Very good: 740–799 — well above average, strong approval odds
- Good: 670–739 — near or above the U.S. average; most lenders approve
- Fair: 580–669 — "subprime"; approval is possible but rates are higher
- Poor: 300–579 — limited options, often secured products
These bands are for the most common FICO and VantageScore models. A specific lender may draw its own lines, so a "good" score for a credit card isn't always good enough for the lowest mortgage rate.
What a good score actually gets you
Crossing into "good" (670+) is the point where most mainstream credit cards, auto loans, and personal loans open up at reasonable rates. At "very good" and "exceptional," you qualify for the lowest advertised APRs, the best rewards cards, and the strongest mortgage pricing — which over a 30-year loan can mean tens of thousands of dollars saved.
How your score is calculated
Both FICO and VantageScore weigh similar things: payment history, how much of your available credit you're using, the age of your accounts, your mix of credit types, and recent applications. We break these down in what affects your credit score.
Remember: you have three scores
Because your three bureau reports differ, you can be "good" at one bureau and "fair" at another. Seeing all three is the only way to know which number a lender will use. CreditVana shows your Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion scores free, refreshed every 14 days.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good credit score?
A good FICO score is generally 670 to 739, and a good VantageScore is 661 to 780. Both scales run from 300 to 850, and higher scores earn better rates.
Is a 700 credit score good?
Yes. A 700 falls in the "good" FICO range (670–739) and qualifies you for most mainstream credit cards and loans at competitive rates.
What is the average credit score in the U.S.?
The average FICO score in the U.S. is in the low-to-mid 700s, which sits at the top of the "good" range, close to "very good."