Explainer
Credit score ranges explained: what's a good, fair or poor score?
What the numbers mean and what actually influences them.
Direct answer
FICO scores run from 300 to 850. FICO's own labels are roughly 300–579 poor, 580–669 fair, 670–739 good, 740–799 very good and 800–850 exceptional. Payment history and amounts owed are the biggest factors, and different scoring models can produce different numbers for the same file.
The ranges
- 300–579: poor
- 580–669: fair
- 670–739: good
- 740–799: very good
- 800–850: exceptional
What goes into a FICO score
- Payment history: about 35%
- Amounts owed (utilization): about 30%
- Length of credit history: about 15%
- New credit: about 10%
- Credit mix: about 10%
Why your scores differ
There are many scoring models, and each bureau holds a slightly different file, so your scores can vary by model, bureau and date. A lender may use a specific version.
What helps
- Pay every bill on time.
- Keep card balances low relative to limits.
- Avoid opening many accounts at once.
- Dispute genuine errors on your reports.
What disputing can and can't do
Correcting inaccurate negative items can help your file reflect accurate information, but no one can promise a specific score change, and accurate items generally stay for the reporting period.
Start free
Rapid Rescore writes dispute letters to all three bureaus in minutes, free. Mail them yourself, or have us mail them first-class or certified with tracking. No credit card required to start.
Create my free accountGeneral educational information, not legal or financial advice. Rapid Rescore is not a law firm and does not guarantee any result. Published October 2026.
It depends on the loan type and lender. Many conventional loans prefer higher scores, while some government-backed loans allow lower ones. Ask your lender.
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