Credit scores range from 300 to 850. What most people don't know: lenders use score bands, not exact numbers. The difference between a 760 and 800 score might not show up in your rate — but the difference between 700 and 760 absolutely does.
Score Ranges and What They Mean
300–579: Poor — 11% of U.S. adults. Qualifying for most credit products is difficult. Rates on FHA loans are 1.5–2% higher than the best tier.
580–669: Fair — 17% of adults. Better than poor, but still paying more. Many subprime auto loans land here.
670–739: Good — 26% of adults. Qualifies for most products. Average mortgage rate premium: +0.25% over excellent tier.
740–799: Very Good — 24% of adults. Top tier for most lenders. Gets the best auto loan rates. Prime mortgage rate.
800–850: Exceptional — 22% of adults. Lowest rates on every product. 30-year mortgage at 800 vs. 700 can mean $50,000+ in interest paid over the life of the loan.
What Moves Your Score Most
Payment history (35%) and credit utilization (30%) are the two biggest factors. Keeping utilization below 10% and paying every statement balance in full are the highest-leverage moves for most people. For a deeper understanding of how FICO scoring works, a current FICO guide breaks down each scoring factor in detail. Opening new accounts drops your score 2–5 points temporarily but levels out within 6 months.