Credit Score Chart
The Credit Score Chart is a financial reference tool covering credit score chart, credit score ranges, credit score scale, what is a good credit score. Use the chart below to look up values instantly. Printable and downloadable versions are available on this page.
What Does My Credit Score Mean?
Enter your credit score and get a plain-English explanation of your rating, what it affects, and how to improve it.
Credit Score Ranges Chart
| Category | FICO Score Range | VantageScore 3.0 Range | What It Means for Borrowers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exceptional / Excellent | 800–850 | 781–850 | Qualifies for the best available rates on all loan types. Lenders compete for your business. |
| Very Good / Good | 740–799 | 661–780 | Qualifies for better-than-average rates. Small difference from Exceptional. |
| Good / Fair | 670–739 | 601–660 | Average rates. Will be approved for most loans with standard terms. |
| Fair / Poor | 580–669 | 500–600 | Below-average rates. Limited options. May require larger down payment. |
| Poor / Very Poor | 300–579 | 300–499 | Difficulty getting approved. Secured credit cards and credit-builder loans are the main path to rebuilding. |
Source: myFICO.com and VantageScore 3.0 range definitions
Credit Score by Age
| Age Group | Average FICO Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 18–24 | 679 | Limited credit history — thin file is the main challenge. |
| 25–34 | 686 | Building credit profile — establishing payment history and utilisation. |
| 35–44 | 695 | Mid-career credit building. |
| 45–54 | 703 | More established credit history and age of accounts. |
| 55–64 | 718 | Longer history and lower utilisation typically. |
| 65 and above | 744 | Longest credit history — usually highest scores. |
Source: Experian State of Credit Report 2023
How Credit Scores Are Calculated — FICO Breakdown
| Factor | Weighting | What Drives This Factor |
|---|---|---|
| Payment history | 35% | Whether you pay every account on time. Even one missed payment significantly hurts this factor. |
| Amounts owed — credit utilisation | 30% | What percentage of available revolving credit you are using. Under 30% is recommended. Under 10% is optimal. |
| Length of credit history | 15% | How long your oldest account has been open and the average age of all accounts. |
| New credit — hard inquiries | 10% | Number of recent credit applications. Each hard inquiry typically reduces score by 2 to 5 points for up to 12 months. |
| Credit mix | 10% | Variety of credit types — credit cards, instalment loans, mortgages, and auto loans. Diversity helps marginally. |
Source: myFICO — FICO score factor weightings
Interest Rates by Credit Score
| Credit Score Range | Approx. Mortgage Rate (30-yr fixed) | Approx. Auto Loan Rate (60-mo new) | Approx. Personal Loan Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 760–850 — Exceptional | 6.0–6.8% | 4.5–5.5% | 8–12% |
| 700–759 — Very Good | 6.3–7.0% | 5.5–7.0% | 12–16% |
| 640–699 — Good to Fair | 6.8–7.8% | 7.0–11% | 16–22% |
| 580–639 — Fair to Poor | 7.5–9.0% | 11–15% | 22–30% |
| Below 580 — Poor | 8.5%+ or not approved | 15–25% or not approved | 30%+ or not approved |
Rates are approximate illustrative ranges based on 2026 market conditions. Actual rates vary by lender, loan amount, term, down payment, and market conditions. Always compare at least three lenders.
Source: Experian, LendingTree, and Bankrate rate survey data 2026
Credit Score Impact Calculator
Enter your credit score range, loan type, and loan amount to estimate the interest rate you would qualify for and the total interest paid over the loan life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good credit score?
A FICO score of 670 to 739 is considered good. A score of 740 and above is very good and qualifies for significantly better rates. 800 and above is exceptional.
What credit score do you need to buy a house?
Most conventional mortgages require a minimum FICO score of 620. FHA loans accept scores as low as 580 with a 3.5 percent down payment. Higher scores earn lower rates — the difference between 620 and 760 can save tens of thousands of dollars over 30 years.
How long does it take to build a good credit score?
A basic credit profile can be established within 6 months of opening your first account. Building a score above 740 typically takes 3 to 7 years of consistent on-time payments and responsible credit use.
Does checking your credit score lower it?
Checking your own score is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score. Only hard inquiries from lenders when you apply for credit temporarily lower the score by 2 to 5 points.
What is credit utilisation?
Credit utilisation is the percentage of your available revolving credit that you are currently using — calculated by dividing your total credit card balances by your total credit limits. Keeping this below 30 percent is recommended and below 10 percent is optimal for the highest scores.
How quickly can I raise my credit score?
Paying down credit card balances to lower utilisation can improve your score within 30 to 60 days once the updated balance is reported to the credit bureaus. Disputing errors on your credit report can improve scores immediately if the error is corrected.
Does closing a credit card hurt your score?
Closing a credit card can hurt your score in two ways — it reduces your available credit raising your utilisation ratio and it may shorten your average account age. Keeping old cards open with a zero balance is generally the better strategy.
What is the difference between FICO and VantageScore?
FICO is used in approximately 90 percent of US lending decisions and has been the industry standard since 1989. VantageScore was developed jointly by the three major credit bureaus in 2006 and is commonly used in free credit monitoring tools and apps.