A good credit score is not a single number everyone agrees on. It is a shorthand for the score ranges that tend to unlock better terms — and the ranges depend on the scoring model a lender uses.
The short answer
On FICO's common 300–850 scale, 670–739 is labeled good, 740–799 very good and 800–850 exceptional. Other models and specialized scores differ, and lenders set their own rules. Crossing one of these educational labels does not guarantee a different offer.
The bands, as a general guide
| Label | Approximate range |
|---|---|
| Poor | 300–579 |
| Fair | 580–669 |
| Good | 670–739 |
| Very good | 740–799 |
| Exceptional | 800–850 |
These are FICO's published labels, not universal lender approval bands. A lender may weigh income, debt and history differently.
What lenders actually do with a score
- Set their own thresholds. A lender's pricing cutoff may differ from this educational chart, and a small difference can matter near its cutoff.
- Apply their own rules. Score is one input among several, including income and existing debt.
- Use different models. The score you see may not be the one a lender pulls.
A hypothetical illustration
Figures are illustrative and rounded, not quotes.
- Carrying a $5,000 balance at 24% APR costs roughly $100 a month in interest before any principal is touched.
- The same balance at 12% APR costs roughly $50 a month.
The simple annual-rate-divided-by-12 illustration differs by $50 monthly, assuming an unchanged balance and ignoring compounding, fees and repayment. It illustrates why pricing matters; it does not map a score increase to a rate reduction or predict an actual card bill.
Read the label attached to the number
Record the model, bureau data source and date when comparing scores. Two numbers measured with different models or reports are not a clean before-and-after comparison. Review the underlying reports for errors, especially before a major application; a score alone does not show the account detail behind it. Use the FTC's free-report guidance to find the authorized report source. A credit report and a score are different products, and an educational score may not match the lender's version.
Costs and limitations
- Free reports vs. scores. You are entitled to free reports from the major bureaus; the scores you see elsewhere may be educational rather than the lender's score.
- Band boundaries differ. Do not over-optimize for a single cutoff.
- No guarantees. Score changes depend on your file and the model.
- Accurate negatives linger. Late payments and collections generally remain for years.
Your checklist
- Get your free credit reports and check them for errors.
- Identify which factors are holding your score back.
- Keep reported balances low relative to your limits.
- Pay on time, every time — automation helps.
- Space out applications so inquiries do not cluster.
- Recheck your score over time, watching the trend rather than a single reading.
Where to go next
- Learn the levers in The Five Factors That Move Your Credit Score.
- Practice scenarios with the credit score simulator.
- Start a routine in A 90-Day Credit Score Routine.
Sources and further reading
Sources checked for this editorial review on September 25, 2026. Examples are illustrative calculations, not provider quotes.
