Credit score ranges explained: what 580, 670 and 740 mean
What each FICO band means for approvals and rates, and where the real thresholds are.
The five FICO bands
- Poor: 300–579
- Fair: 580–669
- Good: 670–739
- Very good: 740–799
- Exceptional: 800–850
These are FICO’s published ranges. VantageScore uses the same 300–850 scale with slightly different labels, so the same person can see different numbers in different apps.
The thresholds that actually matter
580 is a common minimum for an FHA mortgage with 3.5% down. Around 620 opens most conventional mortgages. 670 moves you into “good” for most card issuers. 740 and up is where many lenders start offering their best pricing, so gains above that matter less.
Why you have more than one score
Each bureau holds a slightly different file, and lenders use different model versions for mortgages, auto loans and cards. Focus on the habits that move all of them: on-time payments, low utilization and fewer new applications.
This article is for education and isn’t financial or legal advice. Scoring models and lender practices vary.