What Is a Good Credit Score?
9 Min Read | Published: April 25, 2025
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What is a good credit score? Good credit scores land in the 670-739 FICO range. Learn tips to make positive impacts on your credit score and borrow better.
At-A-Glance
- Good credit scores can start above 660, depending on the scoring model.
- Higher credit scores may help you access competitive financial products and improve your odds of securing flexible loan terms, lower interest rates, and even rental and insurance cost benefits.
- No matter your score, be sure to pay bills on time, keep balances low, and check your credit report regularly to help positively impact your credit.
Your credit score isn’t just a random number between 300–850. It’s also a quick overview of how likely you are to repay your debts when they’re due.1 Getting familiar with good credit score ranges and the habits that may improve your score can empower you financially, whether you want to qualify for a credit card, get approved for a car loan, secure lower interest rates, or rent an apartment.
What Is a Good Credit Score?
The number needed to qualify as a good credit score depends on the scoring model, but good scores generally range from 670-739 for FICO® and 661-780 for VantageScore®.2 Understanding good credit score ranges can help you predict how lenders will view your profile when applying for credit. Lower ranges mean higher risks and higher ranges mean lower risks.
- FICO
FICO’s scoring model ranges from 300-850, and lenders usually rely on this scoring system to understand your risk level.3- Poor (300-579)
This range may make it harder to get approved, and lenders may require extra fees, deposits, higher interest rates, or stricter terms for credit approval. - Fair (580-669)
If you have a fair credit score, you’re already moving in the right direction. Credit approval is possible, but often at steeper prices. - Good (670-739)
A score in the good range can be a solid advantage when you’re applying for installment or revolving credit, although the best deals may still be out of reach. - Very Good (740-799)
Lenders see this range as low risk, which may translate to better rates, more flexible terms, and more affordable borrowing opportunities. - Exceptional (800-850)
This top-tier range often means securing the best rates, higher credit limits, and premium credit card perks, among other things.
- Poor (300-579)
Did you know?
Lenders use the FICO Score 8 variation most, and since this version emphasizes low balances and paying on time, focusing on these habits may strengthen your credit standing faster than other credit scoring factors.
- VantageScore
Even though FICO is the most popular scoring model for lenders, VantageScore is another accurate and widely used model, and has some overlap with FICO ranges.4- Subprime: 300-600
The subprime range correlates to FICO’s poor range, so credit options may be available but not super affordable for this range. - Near Prime: 601-660
Near prime translates to a fair FICO range and brings more opportunities but at higher rates. - Prime: 661-780
VantageScore’s prime range parallels the good and very good FICO ranges, making qualifying for competitive offers easier. - Super Prime: 781-850
The lowest-risk super prime range overlaps with FICO’s very good-exceptional range, connoting credit profiles that can be eligible for the best rates, highest limits, and most flexible terms.
- Subprime: 300-600
Good Credit Score Benefits
A good credit score may make borrowing more affordable by increasing your chances of qualifying for the following:5
- More competitive loans with attractive or flexible terms
- Rental agreements for houses and apartments
- Lowered insurance rates
- Lowered interest rates and better Annual Percentage Rates (APRs) or the total yearly costs of borrowing money on your credit card6
- Rewards Credit Cards from American Express®
Tips for a Good Credit Score
Getting professional help with debt can make a big difference, but if you're looking for ways to improve your credit score, here are some ideas to get you started.
- Consider Opening a Credit Card
You can begin learning how to build your credit from scratch when using American Express® Credit Cards responsibly. Think of credit cards as stepping stones that can get your closer to healthier credit over time, but be aware that credit card mismanagement may directly work against you and your score.7 Patience and budgeting are key. - Pay Loan and Credit Card Bills On Time
Since payment history is the largest factor in your credit score calculation, paying bills on time is one of the single best credit habits to form. Paying on time or early helps you build credit, side-step late fees, and lower borrowing costs. You may want to set up device reminders to notify you before due dates so that monthly balances don’t slip your mind. - Maintain a Low Credit Utilization Ratio
Credit utilization (CU) ratio refers to how much of your total available credit across all accounts you’re using.8 The ability to maintain low balances and a low CU makes up 30% of the score calculation, so it’s beneficial to get all monthly balances as close to zero as possible.9 - Monitor Your Credit
Catching credit report errors that can negatively impact your score becomes more manageable with regular check-ins. Incorrect payment history or the presence of accounts you didn’t open may signal accuracy issues or even identity theft, so if you detect errors, immediately open a dispute.10 You can consult MyCredit Guide from American Express® to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
The U.S.’s average credit card debt level varies if you’re a single person, part of a household, or part of a household with children. Single people tend to have an average of approximately $6,000 in credit card debt, families without children have nearly $7,000, and households with kids typically exceed $7,000.11
It’s difficult to say the exact credit limit for a 720 credit score, as credit scores themselves don’t entirely dictate credit limit approvals. However, since a 720 credit score is close to the national average, and many Americans have an average credit limit of around $30,000, you might expect a similar limit with a 720 score.12
The Takeaway
Good credit scores generally start at 670 for FICO and 661 for VantageScore, getting borrowers one step closer to loan qualification and more affordable borrowing. You can take steps to potentially help boost your score by paying bills on time, keeping your balances low, and regularly checking in on your credit report to scan for errors.
1,9 “Credit Scores,” Federal Trade Commission
2,3,4 “What Are the Different Credit Score Ranges?,” Experian
5 “Understand, get, and improve your credit score,” USA Gov
6 “Is 700 a Good Credit Score?,” U.S. News
7,8 “Best credit cards for building credit of 2025,” Experian
10 “Dispute errors on your credit report,” USA Gov
11 “What's the Average Amount of Credit Card Debt in the U.S.?,” U.S. News
12 “What is the average credit limit for Americans?,” Bankrate
Liv Gillespie is a Philadelphia-based writer with a double M.A. in English Linguistics & Literature and Secondary Education. Her work focuses on personal finance.
All Credit Intel content is written by freelance authors and commissioned and paid for by American Express.
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