March 30, 2026
600 Credit Score: What You Can (and Can't) Do With It
A 600 credit score puts you in the "fair" credit range, which is below the national average of around 715. It's not the worst position to be in, but it does limit your options and usually means higher interest rates.
The good news? Improving from 600 is very doable, and even a small boost can open doors.
Is 600 a Good Credit Score?
No, a 600 credit score is considered fair. On the FICO scale (which goes from 300 to 850), here's how the credit score ranges break down: 300 to 579 is poor, 580 to 669 is fair, 670 to 739 is good, 740 to 799 is very good, and 800 to 850 is exceptional.
At 600, you're near the bottom of the fair range. Most mainstream lenders see this as a higher-risk score, which is why you'll face more rejections and higher interest rates.
What Can You Do With a 600 Credit Score?
Rent an apartment. Many landlords accept tenants with fair credit, though you may need a larger security deposit or a co-signer.
Get an auto loan. You can qualify for a car loan with a 600 score, but expect interest rates in the 10% to 15% range — significantly higher than someone with good credit would pay.
Get a secured credit card. Most secured cards approve applicants with fair credit. This is a great tool for rebuilding your score.
Qualify for an FHA mortgage. With a score of 580 or higher, you can qualify for an FHA loan with just 3.5% down.
What's Harder With a 600 Score?
Getting approved for rewards credit cards. Most cashback and travel cards require a score of 670 or higher. You'll likely be limited to secured cards or cards designed for fair credit.
Getting competitive interest rates. Whether it's a mortgage, auto loan, or personal loan, a 600 score means you'll pay more in interest than someone with good or excellent credit.
Qualifying for large personal loans. Many personal loan lenders set their minimum at 620 or 640.
How to Improve From 600
Check your credit reports for errors. Mistakes happen more often than you'd think. Dispute errors on your credit report if you find inaccurate late payments, wrong balances, or accounts that don't belong to you.
Pay down credit card balances. High credit utilization is one of the most common reasons for a fair score. Getting your utilization below 30% (ideally below 10%) can produce a noticeable score increase within a month or two.
Make every payment on time going forward. Payment history is the most heavily weighted factor in your score. Even if you've had late payments in the past, building a streak of on-time payments from this point forward will gradually improve your score.
Consider a credit builder loan. Credit builder loan options are designed specifically to help you build a positive payment history without needing good credit to qualify.
Don't close old accounts. Keeping old credit cards open (even with a zero balance) helps your credit utilization ratio and average account age.
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How Long Does It Take to Go From 600 to 700?
With consistent effort, many people can improve their score by 50 to 100 points within 6 to 12 months. The biggest jumps usually come from paying down high balances and correcting credit report errors.
If your low score is due to recent late payments or collections, the improvement timeline may be longer. But every month of positive activity helps. When you're ready to take the next step, get a 700 credit score by focusing on the strategies that work best for your situation.
The Bottom Line
A 600 credit score isn't where you want to stay, but it's a perfectly fine place to start improving from. Focus on the fundamentals — on-time payments, low utilization, and error-free credit reports — and you'll see results.
Start improving your score today with a credit builder card.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a 600 credit score good enough to rent an apartment?
Many landlords will approve tenants with a 600 credit score, but you may face additional requirements. You might need a larger security deposit, proof of stable income, or a co-signer with better credit. It's worth applying — rejection isn't automatic, and requirements vary by property and landlord.
Can you get a credit card with a 600 credit score?
Yes, but your options are limited to secured credit cards or cards specifically designed for fair credit. Secured cards require a cash deposit but are easy to qualify for and offer a straightforward path to building better credit. Avoid predatory cards with high fees.
How long does it take to go from a 600 to 700 credit score?
Most people see a 50 to 100 point increase within 6 to 12 months if they focus on paying down balances and making all payments on time. The timeline depends on what caused your low score — recent late payments take longer to recover from than high utilization.
What could have caused my credit score to drop to 600?
The most common culprits are high credit card balances, late or missed payments, collections accounts, or a recent hard inquiry from a credit application. Check your good credit score benchmarks and identify which factors are dragging your score down most.
Firstcard Educational Content Team - March 30, 2026
