What Is a Good Credit Score in the US: FICO and VantageScore Ranges Explained

A good credit score in the US is the number that turns "maybe" into "approved" — and the first question every borrower asks is where the line actually sits. In practice, a score of 670 or higher on the FICO scale (and 661+ on VantageScore) is considered good, but the full picture is more nuanced: lenders, landlords, and insurers each apply their own thresholds.

The Official Score Bands

Both major scoring models use a 300–850 range, so "good" lands in the same neighborhood:

- FICO: 670–739 is good, 740–799 is very good, 800+ is exceptional.

- VantageScore: 661–780 is good, 781–850 is excellent.

Anything below 580 is poor, and 580–669 is fair. That means a score of 700 is comfortably good — strong enough for most credit cards and auto loans, though not the best mortgage pricing.

What "Good" Unlocks in Practice

A good credit score in the US directly affects your cost of borrowing. At 670–739, you'll typically qualify for standard credit cards and auto loans at reasonable APRs, but you may still pay a premium compared to applicants in the 760+ tier. For a mortgage, the gap matters most: moving from a 680 to a 760 score can save tens of thousands of dollars in interest over a 30-year term.

Beyond lending, a good score influences apartment approvals, security deposits, and even some insurance premiums in states that allow credit-based insurance scoring.

How to Move From Fair to Good

The levers are well known but underused: keep credit utilization below 30% (ideally under 10%), pay every bill on time, avoid opening several new accounts at once, and let aging accounts stay open. Payment history and amounts owed together drive roughly 65% of a FICO score, so small, consistent habits outperform one-off fixes.

Checking your score is free through most banks and card issuers, and it has no effect on your credit. Monitoring it monthly tells you whether your strategy is working before you apply for new credit.

The short answer: 670+ is a good credit score in the US, 740+ is very good, and 800+ opens the best terms available. The longer answer is that "good" is a moving target set by each lender — so aim above the minimum band rather than at its edge.

Check your free FICO score today, then set a 12-month target of 740+ and track your utilization monthly to get there. Перейти к подборке →