A credit-score chart organizes the 300-to-850 FICO and VantageScore ranges into bands that lenders use as approval thresholds. While the exact cutoffs differ slightly between models, the chart structure is consistent enough that knowing where you fall — and which band you're aiming for — makes credit-building goals concrete and actionable. (For the underlying definitions, see our pillar credit-score ranges explained and what is a good credit score.)
The Standard FICO Score Chart
FICO Score 8 (the most widely used credit-card and personal-loan model):
- Poor: 300–579
- Fair: 580–669
- Good: 670–739
- Very Good: 740–799
- Exceptional: 800–850
Approximately 16% of U.S. consumers fall in the poor range, 17% in fair, 21% in good, 25% in very good, and 21% in exceptional, based on FICO's 2025 distribution data. The median FICO score in the U.S. has hovered around 715 to 720 for the last several years.
VantageScore 3.0/4.0 Chart
VantageScore (used by many free monitoring services and some lenders):
- Very Poor: 300–600
- Poor: 601–660
- Fair: 661–780
- Excellent: 781–850
VantageScore's "Fair" range is broader than FICO's, which is why a consumer can see "Fair" on a free monitoring service and "Good" on a FICO pull at the same time — the underlying score is similar, but the band labels differ. (For tier-specific guides, see what 650 specifically qualifies for and what 750 unlocks.)
What Each Band Means in Practice
In the 300–579 range, most major credit cards and prime auto loans are inaccessible. Subprime auto financing exists but at 15% to 25% APR. Mortgage approval typically requires FHA loans with manual underwriting. Apartment applications are difficult without large security deposits or co-signers.
In the 580–669 range, basic credit-builder cards and secured cards are widely available. Auto loans become accessible at 8% to 14% APR. FHA mortgages are accessible at the standard rate. Some mainstream credit cards (Capital One QuicksilverOne, Discover It) are within reach.
In the 670–739 range, most credit-card products are available. Auto loans drop to 6% to 8% APR. Conventional mortgages are accessible. Premium-tier cards (Chase Freedom Unlimited, Capital One SavorOne) approve frequently. (For auto-specific thresholds, see the credit score you need to buy a car.)
In the 740–799 range, the best published rates on credit cards, auto loans, and mortgages are typically available. Premium travel cards (Chase Sapphire Preferred, Amex Gold) approve consistently.
In the 800+ range, you're in the top 21% of U.S. consumers. The marginal benefit over 740–799 is small in absolute terms but real — slight rate improvements on mortgages, premium underwriting flexibility, and lower insurance premiums in states that use credit scoring.
How to Move Up the Chart
The fastest moves between bands come from the two highest-weight scoring factors: payment history (35%) and utilization (30%). Bringing utilization from 50% to under 10% can move a score 30 to 60 points. Adding 12 months of perfect on-time payments to a previously inconsistent file moves another 30 to 50 points.
For thin-file consumers stuck in the fair range despite good behavior, the bottleneck is usually credit mix and length-of-history. Adding an installment loan from Self.Inc: Credit Builder Account fills the credit-mix gap. Open a Self Credit Builder Account to add installment history alongside any cards you have.
Why You See Different Scores Different Places
Free monitoring services often show VantageScore 3.0; mortgage lenders pull FICO Score 2, 4, and 5; auto lenders use FICO Auto Score 8 and 9; credit-card issuers use FICO Score 8. A single consumer can have 8 to 12 different "scores" at any given time, ranging up to 50 points apart.
For most consumer decisions, the variation is irrelevant — the band is what matters, not the precise number. Treat your free monitoring score as a directional guide and assume the FICO-pulled score for an actual application could be 10 to 30 points different.
The Score Is Not the Whole Picture
Lenders don't approve or deny purely on score. Income, employment, debt-to-income ratio, and recent application history all factor in. A 740 score with 50% debt-to-income ratio can be denied where a 680 score with 25% debt-to-income gets approved. Use the chart as a guide, not a guarantee.
Track Your Position on the Chart with Creditship
Knowing your band today is one snapshot. Knowing whether you're trending up or down month-over-month is what tells you whether your strategy is working. Creditship offers free credit monitoring with concrete, AI-generated guidance on which next action will move your score, useful for spotting band-crossing milestones (fair → good, good → very good) as they happen. Sign up free with Creditship for tradeline alerts and personalized recommendations at no cost.
Key Takeaways
- FICO 8: Poor (300–579), Fair (580–669), Good (670–739), Very Good (740–799), Exceptional (800+).
- VantageScore 3.0 uses different band labels — 661–780 is 'good'.
- The same consumer can see scores 20 to 80 points apart depending on the model and bureau.
- Treat your monitoring score as directional; lender-pulled FICO is what counts at application.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does each credit-score band mean?
FICO Score 8: Poor (300–579), Fair (580–669), Good (670–739), Very Good (740–799), Exceptional (800–850). Each band corresponds to roughly different lender approval and pricing tiers.
Why does my score look different on different sites?
Different scoring models (FICO 8, FICO 9, VantageScore 3.0, etc.) and different bureaus produce different numbers for the same consumer. Variation of 20 to 80 points is normal.
What credit score do I need for a mortgage?
FHA loans accept 580+, conventional loans typically 620+ minimum and 740+ for the best rates. Mortgage models can score 10 to 40 points lower than the FICO 8 you see on monitoring services.
How long does it take to move up a band?
From fair (580–669) to good (670–739) typically takes 6 to 18 months of clean tradeline activity and utilization improvements. Higher bands take longer.
