What is a good a good credit score?

Although the ranges vary by credit rating model, credit scores from 580 to 669 are generally considered fair; 670 to 739 are considered good; 740 to 799 are considered very good; and 800 and above are considered excellent. Next, Select explains what a good credit score is for FICO and VantageScore, how good credit can help you, tips for getting a good credit score, and how to check your score for free. A good credit score can help you receive better-than-average APRs from lenders and increase the odds of credit approval. With good credit, you're more likely to qualify for a mortgage, lease, or car loan.

Many of the best credit cards require good or great credit. If you want to benefit from competitive rewards, annual statement credits, balance transfers and more, you'll need at least a good credit score. Even if your credit score is in the good range, that doesn't guarantee that you will be approved for a credit card that requires good credit. Card issuers consider more factors in addition to your credit score, including monthly housing income and payments.

Take a look at the best Select credit cards to get. About six in 10 Americans (64%) worry that their credit rating will prevent them from reaching a financial goal, according to CreditWise from Capital One's Financial Milestones survey. If you have bad credit or fair credit, follow these tips to help you increase your credit score. A perfect credit score of 850 is difficult to obtain, but an excellent credit score is more attainable.

Next, Select explains what a great credit score is, how great credit can help you, tips for getting a great credit score, and how to get a free credit score. A great credit score can help you receive the best APR from lenders and give you a higher chance of getting approved for credit cards and loans. Many of the best cards require good or great credit. If you want to benefit from competitive rewards, annual statement credits, luxury travel benefits, 0% APR periods and more, you'll need at least a good credit score.

And if you have an excellent credit score, you can maximize the probabilities of approval. Keep in mind that even if your credit score is in the excellent range, it is not a guarantee that you will be approved for a credit card that requires excellent credit. Check Select's Best Credit Cards for Great Credit. If your credit score falls within the good, fair, or bad ranges and you want to get an excellent credit score, follow these tips to help you increase your credit score.

If you want to keep your number at the higher end of the credit rating scale, it's important to keep up with paying your bills, use your approved credit, and limit inquiries. When you apply for credit, lenders review a detailed summary of your financial history, known as your credit report, to determine if you qualify for a particular form of credit. Arguably, your credit score is more important in a mortgage application than with any other type of personal financing. If you can't qualify, you may need to open a new account or add new activity to your credit report to start accumulating credit.

Conversely, paying a large credit card balance and lowering your utilization rate can increase your score. In addition, you often won't know what report and credit rating a lender will use before filing an application. Keeping track of your score can help you take steps to improve your score to increase your chances of qualifying for a loan, credit card, apartment, or insurance policy, while improving your financial health. According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), scores are often based on information in your credit reports.

Although the above FICO and VantageScore charts show a general idea of how lenders can interpret different credit rating ranges, lenders and other companies may, and often do, differ in their views on creditworthiness. And avoiding late payments and having low credit card balances could also help you maintain good credit. Many people start with a secured credit card, student credit card, credit building loan, or student loan. Closed and canceled accounts will remain on your credit reports and may continue to affect your ratings until they decline.

If a creditor stops updating an old account that you don't use, it will disappear from your credit report and leave FICO and/or VantageScore with too little information to calculate a score. . .

Jeffery Sheinbein
Jeffery Sheinbein

Hipster-friendly food specialist. Certified pop culture geek. Certified music aficionado.