What is a good credit score? FICO and VantageScore ranges (2026)
Edited by Moe Ameen · Published
On a FICO Score, 670 to 739 is good, 740 to 799 is very good and 800 or more is exceptional. VantageScore uses its own cutoffs on the same 300 to 850 scale: 661 to 780 is prime and 781 or more is superprime. The average FICO Score 8 was 714 in April 2026, inside the good band. There's no universal cutoff, because each lender sets its own minimum.
Key takeaways
- FICO's good band is 670 to 739.
- VantageScore's prime band starts lower, at 661, and runs to 780.
- The average FICO Score 8 was 714 in April 2026; the average VantageScore 4.0 was 701 in September 2026.
- Neither company sets a passing grade. Lenders pick their own minimums.
What are the FICO Score ranges?
Below 580 is poor, 580 to 669 is fair, 670 to 739 is good, 740 to 799 is very good, and 800 to 850 is exceptional.
| FICO Score | Band | What myFICO says it means |
|---|---|---|
| Below 580 | Poor | Well below the U.S. average; lenders see a risky borrower |
| 580 to 669 | Fair | Below average, though many lenders still lend at this level |
| 670 to 739 | Good | Near or slightly above average; most lenders consider it good |
| 740 to 799 | Very good | Above average; a very dependable borrower |
| 800 to 850 | Exceptional | Well above the U.S. average |
These bands apply to base FICO Scores, which run from 300 to 850 [1]. FICO's industry versions for auto lenders and card issuers use a wider 250 to 900 scale [3], so the table doesn't carry over to them.
What are the VantageScore ranges?
VantageScore 4.0 has four tiers: subprime 300 to 600, near prime 601 to 660, prime 661 to 780 and superprime 781 to 850.
| VantageScore | Tier | What VantageScore says it means |
|---|---|---|
| 300 to 600 | Subprime | You may struggle to get credit, or be turned down |
| 601 to 660 | Near prime | You may pay higher rates than prime borrowers |
| 661 to 780 | Prime | Loans and credit lines usually aren't hard to get |
| 781 to 850 | Superprime | The best rating you can have |
Experian calls 661 to 780 a good VantageScore, on both 3.0 and 4.0 [7]. That puts the start of good 9 points lower than on FICO: 661 against 670.
What is the average credit score?
The average FICO Score 8 was 714 in April 2026, with a median of 744. The average VantageScore 4.0 was 701 in September 2026.
FICO's Fall 2026 Credit Insights report says the average has held at 714 since October 2025 and is one point below April 2025 [5]. VantageScore's 701 comes from its September 2026 CreditGauge [6]. Experian gives 713 as the 2025 average FICO Score [7].
So the typical American sits in FICO's good band, which fits myFICO's own description of good as near or slightly above the U.S. average [1].
Why do lenders have different credit score cutoffs?
Each lender sets its own minimum based on its risk tolerance and the type of loan, and each one picks the score model and bureau it pulls.
myFICO says no single minimum score applies to all lenders, and that each lender sets its own criteria based on risk tolerance, loan type and other factors [2]. VantageScore says the same about its scores [4].
The score itself can change too. Mortgage lenders often use FICO Score 2, 4 or 5 and take the middle of three bureau scores [3], and Experian points out that your lender may not use FICO Score 8 at all [7]. A 700 in your banking app may not be the 700 a lender sees. How the models differ is in FICO vs VantageScore.
Why do I have more than one credit score?
Each score depends on the model, which bureau's data it uses and the day it's calculated, so you have many scores rather than one.
The CFPB says you don't have just one credit score, and that each one can differ by scoring model, data source and even the day it was calculated [8]. What goes into a score is covered in how credit scores work.
Glisten check
Where good starts on each model, from FICO's and VantageScore's own pages
| FICO Score (base) | VantageScore 4.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 300 to 850 [1] | 300 to 850 [4] |
| Lowest band | Poor, below 580 [1] | Subprime, 300 to 600 [4] |
| Where good starts | 670 [1] | 661, the start of prime [4] |
| Top band | Exceptional, 800 and up [1] | Superprime, 781 and up [4] |
| Latest national average | 714, FICO Score 8, April 2026 [5] | 701, September 2026 [6] |
| Who sets the minimum for a loan | Each lender [2] | Each lender [4] |
The bands don't line up, so the same number can land in different places. A 665 is fair on FICO but prime on VantageScore. A 790 is very good on FICO and still prime, not superprime, on VantageScore. Check which model a number comes from before you compare it with anything.
Is this right for you?
Best for
- Anyone who's seen a score and wants to know where it sits.
- People comparing a score from an app with a lender's published minimum.
Not ideal for
- Predicting what a lender will decide. Each one sets its own criteria, and the score is only one of them.
Frequently asked questions
Is 700 a good credit score?
Yes, on both models. A 700 is in FICO's good band of 670 to 739 [1] and in VantageScore's prime tier of 661 to 780 [4].
Is 650 a good credit score?
Not by either company's labels. FICO calls 580 to 669 fair [1], and VantageScore puts 601 to 660 in near prime [4].
What credit score is excellent?
FICO calls 800 to 850 exceptional [1]. VantageScore's top tier, superprime, starts at 781 [4].
What credit score do I need for a mortgage?
It depends on the loan and the lender. Experian says many lenders look for at least 620 on a conventional mortgage [7]. Which scores Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac accept is in FICO vs VantageScore.
Why is my score different on different apps?
Apps can show different models built from different bureaus' data. The CFPB says a score depends on the model, the data and even the day it's calculated [8].
How we know this
On November 2, 2026 we read myFICO's pages on score ranges, lender minimums and score versions, VantageScore's 4.0 guide and its September 2026 CreditGauge, FICO's Fall 2026 Credit Insights report, Experian's guide to good credit scores and the CFPB's page on credit scores. Bankrate's guide gives the same FICO bands and VantageScore lines.
- What is a FICO Score?, myFICO. Checked November 2, 2026.
- Credit scores, myFICO. Checked November 2, 2026.
- FICO Score versions, myFICO. Checked November 2, 2026.
- The complete guide to your VantageScore 4.0 credit score, VantageScore. Checked November 2, 2026.
- FICO Score Credit Insights, Fall 2026 (PDF), FICO. Checked November 2, 2026.
- VantageScore CreditGauge September 2026, VantageScore. Checked November 2, 2026.
- What is a good credit score?, Experian. Checked November 2, 2026.
- What is a credit score?, CFPB. Checked November 2, 2026.