Credit Score Chart: FICO and VantageScore Ranges

Aug 10, 20265 min read

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Use this credit score chart to compare FICO and VantageScore ranges from 300 to 850, see what each tier means, and read your score correctly.

Credit score chart at a glance

A credit score chart shows where your score sits on the 300 to 850 scale and what that band usually means to lenders. Think of it as a credit score range chart you can use before applying for a loan, card, apartment, or insurance quote. For most U.S. consumers, the two models worth understanding are FICO and VantageScore.

Both run from 300 to 850, but the labels inside that range are not identical. That is why one app may call your 665 score fair while another tool treats a nearby number as good or prime.

Here is the FICO score chart most lenders still care about:

300-579: Poor
580-669: Fair
670-739: Good
740-799: Very Good
800-850: Exceptional

Last verified: June 2026. Lenders can set their own approval rules, so use the ranges below as a strong reference point, not as a promise of approval.

FICO range	FICO rating	Plain-English meaning
300-579	Poor	High risk to lenders. Approval is harder and costs can be steep.
580-669	Fair	Below average, but many lenders may still approve you with higher APRs or tighter limits.
670-739	Good	Near or above the U.S. average. Many mainstream cards and loans become realistic.
740-799	Very Good	Above average. You usually have stronger approval odds and better pricing.
800-850	Exceptional	Top tier. You are generally viewed as a very low-risk borrower.

Quick answer

A good FICO score starts at 670. A very good FICO score starts at 740. The top FICO band starts at 800, but you do not need a perfect 850 to qualify for excellent offers. For a deeper answer, see our guide to what is a good credit score.

FICO score ranges explained

FICO is the score model most people should understand first. myFICO says 90% of top U.S. lenders use FICO Scores when making credit decisions.

That does not mean every lender pulls the same version. Mortgage lenders, auto lenders, credit card issuers, and personal loan companies may use different FICO models. Some industry-specific FICO scores can also use wider ranges, such as 250 to 900.

For everyday credit planning, though, the base 300 to 850 FICO scale is the reference point. Experian's September 2025 data showed about 70% of U.S. consumers had a good FICO score or better, with the average FICO Score at 713.

FICO level	Range	Share of U.S. consumers in 2025	What it usually unlocks
Poor	300-579	14.7%	Secured cards, credit-builder tools, or high-cost borrowing if approved.
Fair	580-669	14.9%	More approvals than poor credit, but usually weaker terms.
Good	670-739	20.1%	Mainstream cards, loans, and leases become easier to qualify for.
Very Good	740-799	27.5%	Better rates, higher limits, and stronger approval odds.
Exceptional	800-850	22.8%	Best pricing is more likely, though lenders still check income and debt.

VantageScore chart: same scale, different cutoffs

VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0 also use a 300 to 850 credit score scale. The difference is the way the score levels are named and where the cutoffs fall.

This matters because many free score apps show VantageScore, while many lenders still use FICO. If you are checking your score before a loan or card application, confirm which model you are looking at.

VantageScore 3.0/4.0 range	Common tier label	How to read it
300-600	Subprime / Poor	Limited approval options and higher pricing risk.
601-660	Near prime / Fair	Some options open up, but terms may still be costly.
661-780	Prime / Good	A wide middle band that can cover both solid and strong borrowers.
781-850	Superprime / Excellent	Top tier for this model.

FICO vs. VantageScore: why your rating changes

A credit rating chart only helps if you know which scoring model produced the number. FICO and VantageScore both read information from your credit reports, but they weigh data differently and use different cutoff points.

A score can land in one FICO label and a different VantageScore label. For example, 665 is fair on FICO because good starts at 670. On VantageScore, 665 falls inside the 661-780 prime band.

Your score can also differ by bureau. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion may not have identical data on the same day. If one card issuer reports your balance to Experian before TransUnion, your scores can temporarily move in different directions.

Do not compare labels without the model

A 680 FICO score and a 680 VantageScore are not automatically the same signal to a lender. Always compare the model, bureau, date, and score range before making a decision.

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What each credit score level can unlock

Credit score levels affect two things: whether you are likely to be approved and what price you may pay if approved. Higher scores usually mean lower APRs, better credit limits, lower deposits, and more product choice.

Below 580, many borrowers start with secured cards, credit-builder accounts, or lenders that specialize in damaged credit. Our guide to credit cards for a low credit score explains what to watch for there.

Around 580 to 669, approvals become more realistic, but pricing can still be expensive. If you are shopping for a loan, compare the lender's minimum score, APR range, fees, and whether the application uses a hard inquiry.

At 670 and above, you are in stronger territory. A good score can help with cards, personal loans, auto financing, apartments, and utilities. For borrowing details, see what credit score is needed for a personal loan.

At 740 and higher, the conversation changes. You are usually no longer just trying to get approved. You are trying to get better pricing. At 800+, many lenders treat you as a low-risk borrower, but income, debt-to-income ratio, employment, collateral, and recent credit behavior still matter.

Score area	Best way to think about it	Common next step
Under 580	Rebuild and avoid predatory pricing	Use secured cards or credit-builder products with bureau reporting.
580-669	Move from access to better terms	Lower utilization and remove report errors before applying.
670-739	Protect good credit	Shop carefully and avoid unnecessary hard pulls.
740-799	Optimize pricing	Compare lenders because you may qualify for stronger offers.
800-850	Keep the system stable	Maintain low utilization, clean payments, and older accounts.

How to find where your score falls

Start by checking the score model and bureau. If your bank app says VantageScore from TransUnion, do not assume a mortgage lender will see the same number.

You can check your credit reports for free through AnnualCreditReport.com. The CFPB says requesting your own credit report does not hurt your credit score. Checking your own score is treated differently from a lender reviewing your credit after an application.

Scores can change when lenders report new balances, payments, limits, or delinquencies to the bureaus. That often happens monthly, but not all accounts report on the same date. Our guide to how often your credit score updates breaks down the timing.

If you are preparing for a major application, pull all three reports first. Look for wrong late payments, incorrect balances, accounts you do not recognize, and credit limits that are reporting too low.

How to move up a credit score band

The fastest path up the chart is usually boring, but it works. FICO says its score is built from five broad categories: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix.

Payment history is the biggest piece at 35%. Amounts owed, which includes credit utilization, is next at 30%. That means late payments and high card balances usually hurt more than having the wrong mix of accounts.

A new personal loan, credit card, or auto loan can affect your score in more than one direction. The hard inquiry may hurt a little at first, but on-time payments can help over time. See how a personal loan affects your credit score before borrowing just to change your score.

Score-building levers that matter most

Pay every account on time. Even one late payment can drag you down, especially if it is recent.
Lower revolving utilization. If your cards are near their limits, paying balances down can move your score faster than opening a new account.
Keep old positive accounts open when it makes sense. Account age matters, and closing older cards can shrink available credit.
Limit new applications before a mortgage, auto loan, or premium card application. Hard inquiries and new accounts can pressure your score.
Dispute real errors. A wrong late payment, collection, balance, or account can keep you in a lower band than you deserve.
Use secured cards carefully if you are rebuilding. The best secured credit cards report to all three bureaus and give you a path to graduate.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good credit score?

A good FICO score starts at 670. FICO labels 670-739 as Good, 740-799 as Very Good, and 800-850 as Exceptional. For VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0, the broad good or prime band starts at 661.

Is 700 a good credit score?

Yes. A 700 FICO score is in the Good range. It usually gives you access to mainstream loans and credit cards, but it may not qualify you for the lowest advertised rates. Moving above 740 often matters more for pricing.

What is the highest credit score?

The highest score on the standard FICO and VantageScore 300-850 scale is 850. You do not need 850 to have excellent credit. Many lenders already reserve their best offers for borrowers in the high 700s or above.

Why is my FICO score different from my VantageScore?

FICO and VantageScore are different scoring models. They may use similar bureau data, but they weigh that data differently and use different score-band cutoffs. The bureau, date, and app you use can also change the number you see.

What credit score do I need for a mortgage?

Mortgage minimums vary by loan type and lender. Some government-backed loans may allow scores around 500 to 580 with stricter conditions, while conventional loans often require higher scores. Better pricing usually starts well above the minimum.

What score do I need for the best credit cards?

Premium rewards cards usually favor good to excellent credit, often around 700 or higher. If your score is below that, a secured card or credit-building card may be a better first step.

Does checking my credit score lower it?

No. Checking your own credit report or score does not lower your score. A lender's credit check after you apply for credit may create a hard inquiry, which can affect your score for a period of time.