Credit Score Chart: FICO and VantageScore Ranges

Credit score chart at a glance

A credit score chart shows where your score sits on the 300 to 850 scale and what that band usually means to lenders. Think of it as a credit score range chart you can use before applying for a loan, card, apartment, or insurance quote. For most U.S. consumers, the two models worth understanding are FICO and VantageScore.

Both run from 300 to 850, but the labels inside that range are not identical. That is why one app may call your 665 score fair while another tool treats a nearby number as good or prime.

Here is the FICO score chart most lenders still care about:

Last verified: June 2026. Lenders can set their own approval rules, so use the ranges below as a strong reference point, not as a promise of approval.

FICO score ranges explained

FICO is the score model most people should understand first. myFICO says 90% of top U.S. lenders use FICO Scores when making credit decisions.

That does not mean every lender pulls the same version. Mortgage lenders, auto lenders, credit card issuers, and personal loan companies may use different FICO models. Some industry-specific FICO scores can also use wider ranges, such as 250 to 900.

For everyday credit planning, though, the base 300 to 850 FICO scale is the reference point. Experian's September 2025 data showed about 70% of U.S. consumers had a good FICO score or better, with the average FICO Score at 713.

VantageScore chart: same scale, different cutoffs

VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0 also use a 300 to 850 credit score scale. The difference is the way the score levels are named and where the cutoffs fall.

This matters because many free score apps show VantageScore, while many lenders still use FICO. If you are checking your score before a loan or card application, confirm which model you are looking at.

FICO vs. VantageScore: why your rating changes

A credit rating chart only helps if you know which scoring model produced the number. FICO and VantageScore both read information from your credit reports, but they weigh data differently and use different cutoff points.

A score can land in one FICO label and a different VantageScore label. For example, 665 is fair on FICO because good starts at 670. On VantageScore, 665 falls inside the 661-780 prime band.

Your score can also differ by bureau. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion may not have identical data on the same day. If one card issuer reports your balance to Experian before TransUnion, your scores can temporarily move in different directions.

What each credit score level can unlock

Credit score levels affect two things: whether you are likely to be approved and what price you may pay if approved. Higher scores usually mean lower APRs, better credit limits, lower deposits, and more product choice.

Below 580, many borrowers start with secured cards, credit-builder accounts, or lenders that specialize in damaged credit. Our guide to credit cards for a low credit score explains what to watch for there.

Around 580 to 669, approvals become more realistic, but pricing can still be expensive. If you are shopping for a loan, compare the lender's minimum score, APR range, fees, and whether the application uses a hard inquiry.

At 670 and above, you are in stronger territory. A good score can help with cards, personal loans, auto financing, apartments, and utilities. For borrowing details, see what credit score is needed for a personal loan.

At 740 and higher, the conversation changes. You are usually no longer just trying to get approved. You are trying to get better pricing. At 800+, many lenders treat you as a low-risk borrower, but income, debt-to-income ratio, employment, collateral, and recent credit behavior still matter.

How to find where your score falls

Start by checking the score model and bureau. If your bank app says VantageScore from TransUnion, do not assume a mortgage lender will see the same number.

You can check your credit reports for free through AnnualCreditReport.com. The CFPB says requesting your own credit report does not hurt your credit score. Checking your own score is treated differently from a lender reviewing your credit after an application.

Scores can change when lenders report new balances, payments, limits, or delinquencies to the bureaus. That often happens monthly, but not all accounts report on the same date. Our guide to how often your credit score updates breaks down the timing.

If you are preparing for a major application, pull all three reports first. Look for wrong late payments, incorrect balances, accounts you do not recognize, and credit limits that are reporting too low.

How to move up a credit score band

The fastest path up the chart is usually boring, but it works. FICO says its score is built from five broad categories: payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix.

Payment history is the biggest piece at 35%. Amounts owed, which includes credit utilization, is next at 30%. That means late payments and high card balances usually hurt more than having the wrong mix of accounts.

A new personal loan, credit card, or auto loan can affect your score in more than one direction. The hard inquiry may hurt a little at first, but on-time payments can help over time. See how a personal loan affects your credit score before borrowing just to change your score.