The short answer is that a FICO Score of 670 to 739 is generally considered “Good” under FICO’s commonly used score ranges. But that does not mean 670 is a universal cutoff for getting approved for a credit card, car loan, or mortgage.
There are different credit scoring models, lenders use different versions of those models, and each lender can set its own approval standards.
Understanding those differences can help you focus less on chasing one “perfect” number and more on building a strong credit history over time.
What Is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a number designed to help lenders estimate how likely you are to repay borrowed money as agreed.
Most commonly used consumer credit scores fall between 300 and 850, with higher scores generally indicating lower credit risk. However, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) notes that different scoring companies can use different ranges and formulas.
Your credit score is generally calculated from information contained in your credit reports, such as your payment history, balances, account history, and recent credit activity.
It is also important to understand that your credit report and credit score are not the same thing.
Your credit report contains information about your credit accounts and history. A credit scoring model analyzes information from that report and produces a numerical score.
What Is Considered a Good FICO Score?
FICO is one of the best-known credit scoring systems in the United States.
According to myFICO, most FICO Scores use a range of 300 to 850.
The commonly used FICO score ranges are:
| FICO ScoreRating | |
|---|---|
| 300–579 | Poor |
| 580–669 | Fair |
| 670–739 | Good |
| 740–799 | Very Good |
| 800–850 | Exceptional |
Under these ranges, a score of 670 or higher enters FICO's “Good” category.
That does not mean someone with a 669 score will automatically be denied while someone with a 670 score will automatically be approved. Lenders consider their own underwriting standards and may also look at factors beyond your credit score.
FICO and VantageScore Do Not Use Exactly the Same Categories
This is where credit scores can become confusing for beginners.
FICO is not the only scoring system. Another widely known model is VantageScore, which was developed by the three major nationwide credit reporting companies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
Although commonly used versions of both systems use a 300-to-850 scale, their category labels and boundaries are not identical.
For example, TransUnion describes the VantageScore 3.0 ranges it provides as:
| VantageScore 3.0Rating | |
|---|---|
| 300–600 | Poor |
| 601–660 | Fair |
| 661–780 | Good |
| 781–850 | Excellent |
So a score can fall into a different descriptive category depending on which scoring model you are looking at.
This is one reason you should always check which scoring model and version produced the score you see.
Why Do I Have More Than One Credit Score?
You do not have just one permanent credit score.
The CFPB explains that consumers can have multiple credit scores because:
Lenders may use different scoring models.
Different types of loans may use different scores.
Scoring companies may have multiple versions of their models.
The information available from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion may not always be identical.
Your credit information can change as lenders report new balances, payments, and account activity.
For example, the score you see through a credit card account or credit-monitoring service may not be exactly the same score a mortgage lender sees.
That does not necessarily mean anything is wrong.
When checking your score, look for the name of the model, such as FICO Score or VantageScore, as well as the version if it is provided.
Is 700 a Good Credit Score?
Generally, yes.
A 700 FICO Score falls within FICO's Good range of 670–739.
A score around 700 may put you in a stronger position than someone with a much lower score, but it still does not guarantee approval or a particular interest rate.
Lenders may consider additional information such as your income, existing debts, the type of loan you are requesting, the size of the loan, and their own lending requirements.
Is 750 a Good Credit Score?
Under FICO's commonly used ranges, a score of 750 is considered Very Good.
A higher credit score generally makes it easier to qualify for credit and may help you receive better borrowing terms, including lower interest rates.
Still, there is usually little reason to become obsessed with achieving an exact number.
The practical goal is to maintain strong credit habits that keep your credit profile healthy over time.
Do You Need an 800 Credit Score?
No.
An 800-plus FICO Score falls within the Exceptional range, but you do not need an 800 score to have good credit.
A score in the Good or Very Good range may already qualify a borrower for many financial products, depending on the lender and the rest of the application.
There is also no single score that guarantees approval or the lowest possible rate from every lender.
Think of an 800 score as evidence of a very strong credit profile—not as a requirement everyone needs to reach.
What Factors Affect Your FICO Score?
FICO groups the information it uses into five major categories.
For a typical FICO Score, myFICO lists them as:
Payment history — 35%
Amounts owed — 30%
Length of credit history — 15%
New credit — 10%
Credit mix — 10%
These percentages describe the relative importance of the categories for the general population. FICO notes that their importance can vary depending on an individual's credit profile.
Payment History
Payment history is the largest category in a typical FICO Score calculation.
Paying credit cards and loans on time helps establish a record of responsible repayment. Late or missed payments can hurt your credit history and potentially your score.
Amounts Owed and Credit Utilization
FICO also considers how much debt you owe.
For revolving accounts such as credit cards, an important concept is credit utilization—the percentage of your available revolving credit that you are using.
For example, if you have a credit card with a $1,000 limit and the reported balance is $200, the utilization on that card is 20%.
The CFPB advises consumers not to get close to their credit limits and notes that experts commonly recommend keeping credit use at no more than 30% of the total credit limit. Some experts recommend even lower utilization.
You also do not need to carry a credit card balance or pay interest to build a good credit score.
Length of Credit History
A longer history of responsibly managing credit can help your score.
FICO may consider factors such as the age of your oldest account, newest account, and the average age of your accounts.
This is one reason building credit takes time.
New Credit
Applying for several new credit accounts in a short period can affect your score.
When you formally apply for credit, the lender may perform a hard inquiry, which can affect your credit score.
By contrast, checking your own credit report is considered a soft inquiry and does not hurt your score.
Credit Mix
FICO also considers the types of credit accounts in your history, such as credit cards and installment loans.
However, you should not take out unnecessary loans simply to create a more diverse credit mix. FICO specifically notes that you do not need to have every type of credit account.
How Can You Improve Your Credit Score?
There is no legitimate shortcut that guarantees a major score increase overnight.
The most useful habits are straightforward:
Pay your bills on time. Payment history is a major part of credit scoring.
Keep credit card balances low compared with your limits.
Avoid applying for many new accounts in a short period.
Keep older accounts in good standing when it makes financial sense to do so.
Review your credit reports for errors.
Dispute inaccurate information when you find it.
If you have not established a U.S. credit history yet, start with our beginner guide: How to Build Credit in the U.S. From Scratch: A Beginner’s Guide.
How Can You Check Your Credit Report for Free?
You can review your credit reports from the three nationwide credit reporting companies—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—through AnnualCreditReport.com.
The FTC says the three nationwide credit bureaus currently provide free online credit reports once a week from each bureau through AnnualCreditReport.com.
Checking your own credit report does not lower your credit score.
Remember that a credit report is not the same as a credit score. Some banks, credit card issuers, and other services provide customers with a credit score at no additional charge, but you should check which scoring model is being displayed.
If you find incorrect information on a credit report, the CFPB recommends disputing it with both the credit reporting company and the company that provided the inaccurate information.
FAQ
What credit score is considered good in the U.S.?
Under FICO's commonly used ranges, 670–739 is considered Good. Other scoring models can use different categories. For example, TransUnion describes 661–780 as Good for the VantageScore 3.0 it provides.
Is 600 a good credit score?
A FICO Score of 600 falls within the Fair range of 580–669. That does not mean you cannot qualify for credit, but approval and borrowing terms will depend on the lender and other parts of your application.
Is 700 a good credit score?
Yes. A 700 FICO Score falls within the Good range.
Is 750 a good credit score?
Yes. A 750 FICO Score falls within the Very Good range of 740–799.
Is 800 a perfect credit score?
No. Under the standard FICO range, 800 is the beginning of the Exceptional category, but the maximum score is 850.
Can checking my own credit lower my score?
No. According to the CFPB, requesting your own credit report does not hurt your credit score. It is treated differently from a lender's hard inquiry when you apply for new credit.
Why is my credit score different depending on where I check it?
Different services may use different scoring models, versions, credit bureau data, or dates. Because of these differences, it is normal to see more than one credit score.
Final Thoughts
For most beginners, the most important lesson is that a “good credit score” is not one universal number.
Under commonly used FICO ranges, 670–739 is Good, 740–799 is Very Good, and 800–850 is Exceptional. But lenders may use different scoring models and set their own requirements.
Instead of focusing on a single number, focus on the habits that create strong credit: pay on time, keep balances manageable, avoid unnecessary credit applications, and regularly review your credit reports for accuracy.
A strong credit score is usually the result of consistent financial behavior over time—not a quick trick.