Your credit score is a three-digit number between 300 and 850. Lenders use it to decide whether to approve your application and at what interest rate.
Credit Score Ranges 2026
| Score Range | Tier | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| 800-850 | Exceptional | Best rates on all products; instant approvals |
| 740-799 | Very Good | Near-best rates; approved for premium cards |
| 670-739 | Good | Approved for most cards and loans at standard rates |
| 580-669 | Fair | Higher rates; may require secured products |
| 300-579 | Poor | Limited to secured cards; high deposits required |
The Five FICO Score Factors
| Factor | Weight | Key Driver |
|---|---|---|
| Payment history | 35% | On-time payments across all accounts |
| Amounts owed (utilization) | 30% | Balances divided by total credit limits |
| Length of credit history | 15% | Age of oldest, newest, and average account |
| Credit mix | 10% | Mix of revolving (cards) and installment (loans) |
| New credit | 10% | Hard inquiries and recently opened accounts |
All Credit Score Guides
Credit Score Guide
How FICO and VantageScore work, the 5 scoring factors, and how to improve.
What Is a Good Credit Score?
Score ranges — poor, fair, good, very good, exceptional — explained.
Average Credit Score in America
National average by age, state, and income for 2026.
Average Score by Age
How credit scores compare across every generation in 2026.
Average Score by State
State rankings from highest to lowest average credit score.
Score Needed for Best Rates
Minimum scores for mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards.
Credit Score to Rent an Apartment
What landlords look for and the minimum score for most markets.
Credit Score After Bankruptcy
How fast your score recovers and what steps speed up rebuilding.
What Hurts Your Credit Score?
15 actions that lower your score — some surprising, some avoidable.
Credit Score Myths Debunked
15 common misconceptions about how credit scores work.
Credit Utilization Ratio
The 30% rule explained and why keeping utilization low matters.
Credit Utilization Guide
How to game utilization timing to maximize your score.
FICO vs VantageScore
The two main scoring models compared — which one lenders actually use.
What Is a FICO Score?
FICO score versions, ranges, and how lenders use them.
Hard vs Soft Inquiry
Which pulls hurt your score, which don't, and by how much.
Soft vs Hard Credit Inquiry
Full breakdown of when each type of pull is triggered.
Free Credit Report Guide
How to get your official free annual report from all three bureaus.
How Long Things Stay on Your Report
Complete guide to credit report timelines by item type.
Build Credit from Scratch
Zero to 750+ score: the complete step-by-step roadmap.
Dispute Credit Report Errors
How to file disputes with each bureau and track resolution.
Improve Your Credit Score
10 proven strategies, ranked by impact and speed.
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