What is a good credit score?

Credit scores range from 300 to 850. A score of 670–739 is considered 'Good,' 740–799 is 'Very Good,' and 800+ is 'Exceptional.' Scores below 580 are considered 'Poor.' Most lenders consider 700+ to be a solid score for loan and credit card approvals.

How is my credit score calculated?

FICO scores are calculated using five factors: Payment History (35%), Amounts Owed/Credit Utilization (30%), Length of Credit History (15%), Credit Mix (10%), and New Credit/Hard Inquiries (10%). Payment history and utilization have the biggest impact.

How can I check my credit score for free?

You can check your credit score for free through many sources: your credit card's mobile app, Credit Karma, Experian's free tier, or AnnualCreditReport.com for free credit reports. Many banks and credit unions also provide free FICO score access to customers.

How long does it take to build credit from scratch?

You can establish a credit score within 3–6 months of opening your first credit account. Building a strong score (700+) typically takes 1–2 years of responsible credit use. Starting with a secured card or credit-builder loan accelerates the process.

Does checking my credit score hurt it?

No. Checking your own credit score is a 'soft inquiry' and has no impact on your score. Only 'hard inquiries' — when lenders check your credit for a loan or card application — can temporarily lower your score by a few points.

Credit Score Hub: Every Score Explained (580–850)

Browse by Credit Score

Select your score to see exactly what it means, what you qualify for, and how to move to the next tier.

Credit Cards by Credit Score

Find the best credit cards for your exact credit score — with approval odds, rates, and top lender picks for every score band.

Fair 580 Score View picks → Fair 600 Score View picks → Fair 620 Score View picks → Fair 640 Score View picks → Fair 660 Score View picks → Good 680 Score View picks → Good 700 Score View picks → Good 720 Score View picks → Very Good 740 Score View picks → Very Good 760 Score View picks → Very Good 780 Score View picks → Exceptional 800 Score View picks →

Personal Loans by Credit Score

Find the best personal loans for your exact credit score — with approval odds, rates, and top lender picks for every score band.

Fair 580 Score View picks → Fair 600 Score View picks → Fair 620 Score View picks → Fair 640 Score View picks → Fair 660 Score View picks → Good 680 Score View picks → Good 700 Score View picks → Good 720 Score View picks → Very Good 740 Score View picks → Very Good 760 Score View picks → Very Good 780 Score View picks → Exceptional 800 Score View picks →

Savings Accounts by Credit Score

Find the best savings accounts for your exact credit score — with approval odds, rates, and top lender picks for every score band.

Fair 580 Score View picks → Fair 600 Score View picks → Fair 620 Score View picks → Fair 640 Score View picks → Fair 660 Score View picks → Good 680 Score View picks → Good 700 Score View picks → Good 720 Score View picks → Very Good 740 Score View picks → Very Good 760 Score View picks → Very Good 780 Score View picks → Exceptional 800 Score View picks →

HELOC by Credit Score

Find the best heloc for your exact credit score — with approval odds, rates, and top lender picks for every score band.

Fair 580 Score View picks → Fair 600 Score View picks → Fair 620 Score View picks → Fair 640 Score View picks → Fair 660 Score View picks → Good 680 Score View picks → Good 700 Score View picks → Good 720 Score View picks → Very Good 740 Score View picks → Very Good 760 Score View picks → Very Good 780 Score View picks → Exceptional 800 Score View picks →

Auto Loans by Credit Score

Find the best auto loans for your exact credit score — with approval odds, rates, and top lender picks for every score band.

Fair 580 Score View picks → Fair 600 Score View picks → Fair 620 Score View picks → Fair 640 Score View picks → Fair 660 Score View picks → Good 680 Score View picks → Good 700 Score View picks → Good 720 Score View picks → Very Good 740 Score View picks → Very Good 760 Score View picks → Very Good 780 Score View picks → Exceptional 800 Score View picks →

Mortgages by Credit Score

Find the best mortgages for your exact credit score — with approval odds, rates, and top lender picks for every score band.

Fair 580 Score View picks → Fair 600 Score View picks → Fair 620 Score View picks → Fair 640 Score View picks → Fair 660 Score View picks → Good 680 Score View picks → Good 700 Score View picks → Good 720 Score View picks → Very Good 740 Score View picks → Very Good 760 Score View picks → Very Good 780 Score View picks → Exceptional 800 Score View picks →

Student Loans by Credit Score

Find the best student loans for your exact credit score — with approval odds, rates, and top lender picks for every score band.

Fair 580 Score View picks → Fair 600 Score View picks → Fair 620 Score View picks → Fair 640 Score View picks → Fair 660 Score View picks → Good 680 Score View picks → Good 700 Score View picks → Good 720 Score View picks → Very Good 740 Score View picks → Very Good 760 Score View picks → Very Good 780 Score View picks → Exceptional 800 Score View picks →

Credit Score Improvement Guides

Step-by-step guides to raising your credit score — from disputing errors to recovering from bankruptcy.

Raise Your Score 100 Points 12 min read Read guide → Dispute Collections on Your Report 9 min read Read guide → Remove Hard Inquiries 7 min read Read guide → Build Credit From Zero 10 min read Read guide → Recover From Bankruptcy 11 min read Read guide →

Credit Score Hub

Sources & Methodology

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