Most credit scores usually fall under the 600-750 range. Better credit decisions result in higher scores, giving creditors the confidence that a borrower will repay their future debts. Conversely, lenders can use a poor one as a basis for denying you credit. Different reports have varying metrics which lenders use to determine what is a good credit score.
How Credit Bureaus Define a Good Credit Score
A FICO score above 670 is considered a good one, and a Vantage Score above 700 is equally good. Banks and other lenders in the United States, including car dealerships with financing options and credit card companies, make decisions about offering borrowers credit based on how good their credit score is.
Having a high one increases the chances of getting your loan or credit card request approved. However, the benefits of a good credit score extend beyond your ability to secure credit — it also determines how favorable the terms of the lender’s offer (payable interest rate and down payment) will be. FICO and VantageScore are two of the most common credit reports used by lenders in the United States, but industry-specific reports like the Experian’s PLUS Score also exist.
The Credit Pros will help improve your credit score by removing inaccurate credit information from your consumer credit reports.
Check your free credit report and FICO credit score, understand, manage, and improve your credit and protect your personal information.
You’re more than just your credit score. With Grain, it’s possible to access a revolving line of credit based solely on your cash flow.
What is a Good Credit Score? The Determining Factors
Your credit score is usually a cumulative score of how well you perform in the following 5 categories:
Payment History
It’s advisable to pay all outstanding bills — credit cards, electricity, mortgage payments, everything — on time. Making timely payments on your financial obligations is one of the top ways of boosting your credit score.
Credit Usage
Using a lower amount of credit is better than frequently maxing out your credit line. To maintain a good credit score, borrowers should try to keep a balance of 30% or lower.
History of Handling Credit
It’s usually a good sign when lenders can access your past credit history. For example, keep old credit card accounts operational but with minimal use. An old card might be subjected to higher interest rates and fees but shows a longer credit history.
The Frequency of Credit Applications
Submitting too many applications for credit will significantly lower your credit score. We advise borrowers to only start a new credit line every 6 months.
Type of Credit
Lenders prefer to see different types of credit in your credit history. A credit mix that includes car loans, credit cards, and, student loans, for example, is a good sign and suggests that you can use credit responsibly.
Know Your Score
Don’t presume you have a good credit score because you’ve always paid all your bills in good time. The only way to be sure is to use an estimator that calculates it after you fill in some basic information.
The Credit Pros will help improve your credit score by removing inaccurate credit information from your consumer credit reports.
Check your free credit report and FICO credit score, understand, manage, and improve your credit and protect your personal information.
You’re more than just your credit score. With Grain, it’s possible to access a revolving line of credit based solely on your cash flow.
What is a Good Credit Score According to FICO?
FICO (Fair Isaac Corporation) was behind the development of a scoring system that is used by 3 of the major credit reporting bureaus in the United States — Equifax, Experian, and Transunion.- and is used by over 90% of lenders to assess requests for credit. Fico scores often range from 300 to 850.
A FICO score of 670 and above is considered a good credit score, while lenders perceive anything above 800 as exceptional.
Below is a summary of FICO’s full range of credit scores which are used to categorize borrowers:
- Very poor: 300-579
- Fair: 580-669
- Good: 670-739
- Very good: 740-799
- Exceptional: 800-850
How to Determine a Good VantageScore
VantageScore — a joint venture between Experian, Transunion, and Equifax — is used as an alternative to the FICO scoring model. Both of these models use similar information such as credit type and payment history to calculate yours. However, if your credit history is short, it’s better to monitor your VantageScore because FICO credit scores need at least 6 months of credit history and a reported account within the same time period to be generated.
VantageScore 3.0 uses a credit score ranging from 300 to 850. A VantageScore of 700 and above is considered good, while one rating of 750 and above is deemed as excellent. VantageScore’s full range of credit scores include:
- Very Poor: 300-549
- Poor: 550-649
- Fair: 650-699
- Good: 700-749
- Excellent: 750-850
You can quickly view what lenders are seeing when reviewing your credit report by getting a free credit report.
Getting to know what is considered a good credit score is behind the upward trend that we’ve been seeing lately. The average in the United States is increasing as more people learn what a good credit score is and the benefits that come along with it. Monitoring your credit regularly can also prevent unwanted negative marks on your credit report.
