690 Credit Score: Is It Good or Bad?

Yes, a 690 credit score is considered good.

It falls inside the Good range under FICO, which runs from 670 to 739, and it lands in the Prime range under VantageScore 4.0, which runs from 661 to 780.

You may qualify for many mortgages, auto loans, personal loans and credit cards with a 690, but you may not see the lowest advertised rates until your score moves closer to the Very Good FICO tier at 740 or higher.

FICO reported the national average FICO Score at 715 in 2025, so a 690 is below the average but still in the Good range.

Key Takeaways

• A 690 credit score is good. Under FICO, 690 falls in the Good range of 670 to 739. Under VantageScore 4.0, it falls in the Prime range of 661 to 780.

• A 690 score can help you qualify for many credit products. You may be able to get approved for credit cards, personal loans, auto loans and some mortgages, but the best APRs often go to borrowers with higher scores.

• A small score increase can matter. Moving from 690 to 700 keeps you in the Good FICO range, but moving toward 740 can put you in the Very Good range and may help you qualify for stronger offers.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

What Does a 690 Credit Score Mean?

A 690 credit score generally means you’re managing credit reasonably well. Lenders may see you as a lower-risk borrower than someone with fair or poor credit, but not as low risk as someone with very good or exceptional credit.

Credit scores estimate how likely you are to repay borrowed money on time. Higher scores generally make it easier to qualify for loans and lower interest rates, though different scoring companies may use different ranges. A 690 score may reflect habits like:

• Paying most or all bills on time

• Keeping credit card balances under control

• Maintaining active credit accounts

• Avoiding serious recent delinquencies

• Managing a mix of credit types

A 690 score may also mean one or more factors are holding you back. Common issues include higher credit card balances, a shorter credit history, recent hard inquiries or older missed payments.

690 Credit Score Range: FICO vs. VantageScore

All three major credit bureaus — Equifax, Experian and TransUnion — can provide credit score data based on the information in your file with each bureau. That means your scores can differ slightly depending on which lenders report to which bureau and when the score is calculated.

The two common scoring models break down like this:

FICO Score Ranges

VantageScore 4.0 Ranges

A 690 lands in the Good tier on FICO and the Prime tier on VantageScore 4.0. FICO lists 670 to 739 as Good, while VantageScore 4.0 uses Prime for scores from 661 to 780.

690 Credit Score by the Numbers

• U.S. average FICO Score: FICO reported the national average FICO Score at 715 in 2025.

• Average Experian score: Experian reported the average U.S. credit score at 713 in 2025.

• Auto loan APR context: Experian reported average auto loan rates of 6.80% for new vehicles and 11.54% for used vehicles in June 2025, though actual rates vary by credit tier, lender, vehicle and loan term.

• Used-car loan context: Experian reported an average used-car interest rate of 11.87% in first-quarter 2025.

• Mortgage-rate context: Mortgage APRs vary by lender, market conditions, loan amount, down payment and score band. myFICO’s loan savings calculator is designed to show how different FICO Score ranges can affect mortgage and auto-loan interest costs.

Rates and averages shift with the broader market, so check current offers before you apply.

MoneyLion offers a service to help you find personal loan offers. Based on the information you provide, you can get matched with offers for up to $100,000 from our top providers. You can compare rates, terms, and fees from different lenders and choose the best offer for you.

What Can You Qualify for With a 690 Credit Score?

A 690 credit score can open the door to many credit products, but approval and pricing depend on more than your score.

Your score is one part of your application. Lenders may also review income, debt-to-income ratio, employment, loan amount, recent applications and payment history.

690 vs. 700 Credit Score

A 690 and 700 credit score are both in the Good FICO range. The difference is only 10 points, so the practical impact may be small. Still, some lenders use internal pricing tiers or score cutoffs. If a lender has a cutoff near 700, a small score increase could help.

If your score is 690, you’re close to 700. Paying down revolving balances or correcting a credit report error may help if those issues are holding your score back.

690 vs. 740 Credit Score

A 740 FICO Score starts the Very Good range. That can matter more than moving from 690 to 700 because it puts you into a stronger credit tier.

Moving from 690 to 740 may help you qualify for more competitive offers, especially on larger loans where rate differences can affect total borrowing costs.

690 vs. 800 Credit Score

An 800 FICO Score is Exceptional. A 690 score is still good, but an 800 score puts you in a much stronger tier.

You don’t need an 800 score to have good credit. But if you’re planning to borrow for a major purchase, improving your score before applying may help reduce costs.

Why a 690 Credit Score May Not Get the Best Rates

A 690 credit score is good, but lenders often reserve their strongest pricing for borrowers with very good or exceptional credit. Higher scores generally make it easier to qualify for loans and may lead to lower rates or better terms.

A 690 score may not get the best rates if:

• Your credit card balances are high

• You have recent late payments

• Your credit history is short

• You recently opened several accounts

• Your debt-to-income ratio is high

• You’re applying for a large loan

• The lender uses stricter underwriting rules

Your score matters, but it does not work alone. A borrower with a 690 score, steady income and low debt may look stronger than a borrower with the same score and high balances.

What Affects a 690 Credit Score?

Your FICO Score is based on five main categories: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, credit mix and new credit. Payment history and amounts owed usually have the biggest influence.

If your score is 690, improving payment consistency and lowering revolving balances may give you the most traction.

How to Go From 690 to 750 in 6 to 12 Months

Moving up one tier can be realistic if you stay consistent. No credit move guarantees a specific increase, but these steps can help improve the factors that often hold scores back.

1. Drop your credit utilization below 10%. Pay down card balances so each card reports a lower share of its limit. This may help once updated balances are reported.

2. Make every payment on time for six straight months. Payment history carries the most weight in FICO scoring. Set up autopay for at least the minimum.

3. Ask for a credit limit increase on your oldest card. A higher limit can lower utilization without adding debt, but confirm whether the issuer uses a hard inquiry.

4. Keep old accounts open. Closing an old card can reduce available credit and may shorten your average account age over time.

5. Limit new credit applications. Hard inquiries can temporarily lower your score, so space out applications when possible.

Stacking these habits can help move a 690 score toward the Very Good range, especially if high utilization or recent applications are the main issues. If late payments, collections or a thin file are holding your score back, the timeline may be longer.

Should You Apply for Credit With a 690 Score?

You can apply for credit with a 690 score, but be selective. Since you’re already in the good range, applying for the right product can help you avoid unnecessary denials and hard inquiries. Before applying, ask:

If you’re close to a better score range or planning a major loan, improving first may make sense.

The Bottom Line

A 690 credit score is a good credit score. It may help you qualify for credit cards, personal loans, auto loans and mortgage options, though you may not receive the lowest rates or most premium offers.

If your score is 690, you’re in a solid position with room to improve. Focus on paying every bill on time, lowering credit card balances, limiting new applications and checking your credit reports for errors. Moving closer to 740 can put you in the Very Good range and may improve your borrowing options.

Key Terms

690 credit score: A score that usually falls in the Good range under FICO and the Prime range under VantageScore.

FICO Score: A credit score lenders use to predict credit risk. FICO Scores usually range from 300 to 850 and higher scores signal lower risk.

VantageScore: A credit scoring model created by the three major credit bureaus. Scores usually range from 300 to 850 and 661 to 780 is considered Prime.

Credit utilization ratio: The amount of revolving credit you’re using compared with your total credit limit. Lower utilization can help protect your credit score.

Risk-based pricing: A lending practice where rates and terms vary based on how risky a borrower appears, using credit data and other application details.

Hard inquiry: A credit check that can happen when you apply for credit. It may appear on your credit report and can temporarily lower your score.

Sources:

FICO: What is a Credit Score?

FICO: Average U.S. FICO® Score Drops to 715

VantageScore: The Complete Guide to Your VantageScore 4.0 Credit Score

Experian: What is the average credit score in the U.S.?

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What is a credit score?

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Understand your credit score

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: What is a FICO score?

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

FAQs

What loans can you get with a 690 credit score? You may qualify for many conventional mortgages, FHA loans, auto loans and personal loans with a 690. Approval depends on the lender, your income, your debt, your payment history and the loan type. You may qualify, but your APR may be higher than what borrowers with 740-plus scores receive.

What credit cards can you get with a 690 credit score? You may qualify for many mainstream rewards and cash-back credit cards at 690. Premium cards with the lowest APRs, highest credit limits or richest welcome offers may require a stronger score or a stronger overall application.

What APR can you expect on a mortgage with a 690 credit score? A 690 score may qualify for a mortgage, but the APR depends on the lender, loan type, down payment, points, debt-to-income ratio and market rates. myFICO’s loan savings calculator shows how a higher FICO Score can translate into lower interest rates and lower lifetime borrowing costs.

What APR can you expect on an auto loan with a 690 credit score? A 690 score typically falls near the prime auto-loan range, but actual APRs depend on the lender, vehicle, loan term, down payment and whether the car is new or used. Experian reported average auto loan rates of 6.80% for new vehicles and 11.54% for used vehicles in June 2025, with rates varying by credit tier.

How long does it take to go from 690 to 750? It may take six to 12 months if high credit utilization or recent applications are the main issues. If late payments, collections or a thin credit file are holding your score back, it may take 18 to 24 months or longer.

Can you rent an apartment with a 690 credit score? Yes, a 690 credit score may help you rent an apartment. Landlords may also review income, rental history, debt, employment, background checks and local market conditions before approving an application.

Is 690 better than average? No. FICO reported the national average FICO Score was 715 in 2025, so a 690 score is below the national average but still in the Good FICO range.