What's a Good US Credit Score? (2026)
670+ is good, 740+ unlocks the best rates, 800+ is exceptional. Here's what each threshold actually gets you.
US credit scores range 300–850. The brackets — poor, fair, good, very good, exceptional — are official FICO definitions that lenders use to price risk. But the score thresholds that actually matter are different: 620 (mortgage cutoff), 680 (prime auto loan), 720 (best personal loan rates), 740 (best mortgage rates), 760 (premium credit cards), and 800+ (bragging rights). Below we walk through what each score range unlocks and which jumps actually move your financial life.
FICO 8 score brackets (2026)
| Range | Category | % of US consumers | Unlocks |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300–579 | Poor | ~15% | Secured cards, subprime auto, usually no mortgage without FHA |
| 580–669 | Fair | ~21% | Subprime mainstream cards, FHA mortgage, secured auto |
| 670–739 | Good | ~21% | Most credit cards, conventional mortgage, prime auto |
| 740–799 | Very good | ~25% | Premium rewards cards, best mortgage rates, best auto rates |
| 800–850 | Exceptional | ~21% | All cards, all loans at the lowest offered rates |
Distribution: Experian "Average US FICO Score" reporting, 2025.
The thresholds that matter (and the dollars they save)
- 620 → 680 on a mortgage
- Moves you from FHA-only to conventional, saves ~0.5% APR. On a $400k 30-yr mortgage: ~$140/month, $50k over the term.
- 680 → 740 on a mortgage
- Best tier. ~0.75% APR improvement. ~$220/month on a $400k loan, $80k over the term.
- 700 → 740 on a credit card
- Unlocks premium travel rewards (Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Gold). Welcome offers of $600–$1,500 become available.
- 660 → 720 on auto loan
- Moves from ~9% APR to ~6% APR. On a $30k 60-month loan: $50/month, $3,000 over the term.
- 620 → 660 on apartment rental
- Fewer landlords require cosigners. May reduce security deposit.
How to tell where you are
Check your FICO 8 through your bank's mobile app (free). Confirm by pulling free credit reports at annualcreditreport.com. Credit Karma's VantageScore is useful but usually 20–50 points higher than your FICO — don't plan major decisions around it.
Good score questions
Under FICO 8: 670–739 is 'good'; 740–799 is 'very good'; 800–850 is 'exceptional.' Most lenders offer their best terms starting at 740+.
You qualify for most mainstream credit cards, auto loans at competitive rates, and a conventional mortgage. Premium travel rewards cards (Chase Sapphire Preferred) typically start at 700+; the very best welcome offers require 740+.
717 as of 2025 (FICO). The average has risen from 688 in 2010, reflecting wider credit access, better financial education, and the removal of many medical collections from FICO models.
800 is nice but not necessary. The meaningful jumps in mortgage and auto loan rates happen at 680, 720, 740, and 760. From 760 to 800, the additional benefit is marginal — maybe 0.05%–0.10% on a mortgage rate.
850 is the top of the FICO 8 range. Very few people reach it, because some minor factors like having a recently opened account or no installment debt can keep you in the 820–849 range. An 800+ score unlocks essentially every credit product at the best available rate.
Conventional: 620 minimum, 740+ for best rates. FHA: 580 minimum (or 500 with 10% down). VA: no official minimum but most lenders want 620+. USDA: 640+. Jumbo: 700+ typically. A 60-point jump (say 680 → 740) can save $200+/mo on a $400k mortgage.
Prime auto loans start around 660–680. Below 660, you're in subprime territory with much higher APRs. Above 720, you qualify for manufacturer's promotional rates (0% APR for qualified buyers).
Varies by landlord but 620+ covers most apartments; 680+ is reliable. Below 600, you may need a cosigner or larger deposit. Corporate property managers are pickier than small landlords.
850 on FICO 8, FICO Score 9, VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0. All mainstream US consumer scores top out at 850.
For most people, 740+ is where the meaningful financial benefits happen. Going from 740 to 800 is mostly bragging rights — the difference in loan rates is usually 0.05–0.25% or nothing. But getting to 740 from 670 saves thousands on a mortgage and auto loan.