What Is a Good Credit Score? FICO and VantageScore Ranges

A good credit score generally starts at 670 for FICO Scores and 661 for VantageScore 4.0. FICO defines a good score as 670 to 739, while VantageScore 4.0 uses 661 to 780 as its “Prime” range, which is typically treated as good credit.

A good credit score can help you qualify for credit cards, personal loans, auto loans and mortgages with better rates and terms. It doesn’t guarantee approval, but it can give lenders more confidence that you’ll repay what you borrow.

Key Takeaways

• A good credit score usually starts in the high 600s — for many people, that means at least 670 on the FICO scale or 661 on the VantageScore 4.0 scale, which can open the door to more mainstream credit options.

• Stronger scores can lead to better borrowing terms because lenders may offer lower interest rates, higher limits and more flexible options when your score signals lower risk.

• Good credit doesn’t guarantee approval since lenders also look at income, existing debt, employment and the specific loan you’re applying for.

• You can work toward or maintain a good score with consistent habits like paying on time, keeping credit card balances low, limiting new applications and checking your credit reports for errors; a practical next step is to pull your reports and set up payment reminders or autopay.

Summary generated by AI, verified by MoneyLion editors

What Is Considered a Good Credit Score?

A good credit score depends on the scoring model. Most consumer credit scores use a range from 300 to 850, but the labels can vary by model. For FICO, a good credit score is 670 to 739. For VantageScore 4.0, the comparable range is 661 to 780, called Prime.

FICO vs. VantageScore Credit Score Ranges

FICO and VantageScore both use a 300 to 850 scale, but they sort scores into different tiers. That’s why the same score may be labeled slightly differently depending on where you check it.

Is 700 a Good Credit Score?

Yes, a 700 credit score is generally considered good. A 700 falls in the good range for FICO and within the Prime range for VantageScore 4.0. A 700 score may help you qualify for many credit cards, loans and financing options.

However, lenders may reserve their lowest rates for borrowers with scores in the very good or exceptional ranges.

Is 750 a Good Credit Score?

Yes, a 750 credit score is better than good by FICO standards. It falls in FICO’s Very Good range, which runs from 740 to 799. With a 750 score, you may have more borrowing options and a better chance of qualifying for competitive rates. Lenders still review other factors, including income, debt, employment and loan type.

Is 800 a Good Credit Score?

An 800 credit score is more than good. FICO considers scores from 800 to 850 exceptional, and VantageScore 4.0 considers scores from 781 to 850 Superprime. A score in this range can put you in a strong position when applying for credit, though approval still depends on lender requirements and your full financial profile.

What Is the Average Credit Score?

The national average U.S. FICO Score was 715 as of April 2025, down from 717 in April 2024, according to FICO. That average still falls in FICO’s good credit range.

Average scores can move over time as consumer debt levels, delinquencies, interest rates and broader economic conditions change. Your personal score matters more than the national average because lenders review your own credit file and application details.

How a Good Credit Score Is Calculated

Credit scores are calculated from information in your credit reports. FICO groups that data into five categories: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit and credit mix.

Payment history carries the most weight, which means paying on time is one of the most important habits for keeping a good credit score. Amounts owed is the second-largest factor, so high credit card balances can also affect your score

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Why a Good Credit Score Matters

A good credit score can help you qualify for loans, credit cards and better interest rates. It may also affect credit limits, loan terms and the size of deposits required for certain services.

Credit information can matter outside traditional borrowing, too. Depending on state law and the situation, landlords, insurers and some employers may review credit report information as part of a broader screening process. The FTC notes that credit reports can be used for credit, insurance, employment and other permitted purposes under federal law.

How To Get a Good Credit Score

A good credit score usually comes from consistent habits over time. Start with the areas that matter most in scoring models.

Pay Your Bills On Time

Payment history makes up 35% of a FICO Score, making it the largest scoring factor. Set up autopay, reminders or calendar alerts so you don’t miss due dates. If you’re behind, focus on bringing accounts current.

Keep Credit Card Balances Low

Credit utilization is part of the amounts owed category, which makes up 30% of a FICO Score. A lower balance compared with your credit limit can help your score. A common target is to keep utilization below 30%, though lower is often better.

Avoid Applying for Too Much Credit at Once

Applying for several credit cards or loans in a short period can create multiple hard inquiries. New credit makes up 10% of a FICO Score. Shop carefully, compare terms and apply only when the account fits your financial goals.

Keep Older Accounts Open When It Makes Sense

Length of credit history makes up 15% of a FICO Score. Older accounts can help show that you have experience managing credit. That doesn’t mean you should keep every account forever. If an account has a high annual fee or tempts you to overspend, compare the credit benefit with the cost.

Check Your Credit Reports Regularly

You can review your credit reports online for free once a week from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion through AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for accounts you don’t recognize, incorrect balances, wrong late payments or personal information that doesn’t belong to you. If you find an error, dispute it with the credit bureau and the company that reported the information.

What Can Keep You From Having a Good Credit Score?

A few common issues can pull your score below the good range.

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Bottom Line

A good credit score usually means 670 to 739 for FICO and 661 to 780 for VantageScore 4.0. A score in this range can help you qualify for more credit options and potentially better rates, though each lender sets its own approval standards.

To build or maintain good credit, focus on the habits that matter most: Pay on time, keep balances low, avoid unnecessary applications and check your credit reports regularly for errors.

Key Terms

• Good credit score: A score range that signals lower credit risk to lenders; for FICO, good generally means 670 to 739, while VantageScore 4.0 uses 661 to 780 as its comparable Prime range.

• FICO Score: A widely used credit scoring model that typically ranges from 300 to 850 and groups scores into tiers such as fair, good, very good and exceptional.

• VantageScore: A credit scoring model developed by the three major credit bureaus that usually uses a 300 to 850 scale with tiers like subprime, nearprime, Prime and Superprime.

• Credit score range: A band of scores (for example, good or very good) that lenders and scoring models use to group similar credit risk levels.

• Credit report: A record of your credit accounts, balances, payment history and certain inquiries that scoring models use to calculate your credit scores.

• Payment history: Your record of paying credit obligations on time or late, which is the largest factor in many credit scoring models.

• Credit utilization: The share of your available revolving credit you’re using, often expressed as a percentage of your credit card balances divided by your total credit limits.

• Hard inquiry: A credit check that typically occurs when you apply for new credit and that may temporarily affect your credit score.

Sources:

• myFICO: Credit score ranges

• myFICO: What’s in my FICO® Scores

• VantageScore: VantageScore 4.0

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Credit reports and scores

FAQ

What is a good credit score? A good credit score is generally 670 to 739 for FICO and 661 to 780 for VantageScore 4.0. Both models use a 300 to 850 scale, but their score tiers aren't identical.

Is 700 a good credit score? Yes, a 700 credit score is considered good under FICO and falls within the Prime range for VantageScore 4.0. It may help you qualify for many credit cards and loans, though the best rates may require a higher score.

Is 750 a good credit score? Yes, a 750 credit score is very good under the FICO model. It may give you access to stronger rates and terms than a score in the lower good range.

What is the average credit score in the U.S.? The national average U.S. FICO Score was 715 as of April 2025, according to FICO. That places the average score in the good credit range.

How can you get a good credit score? You can work toward a good credit score by paying bills on time, keeping credit card balances low, limiting new credit applications and checking your credit reports for errors.