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What is a good credit score?
Executive summary
A “good” credit score generally starts around the mid‑600s on common scales: most FICO guidance and many consumer sites define “good” as roughly 670–739 (FICO) or roughly 661–780 on some VantageScore versions, and the U.S. average in 2025 was about 715 (FICO), which falls in that “good” band [1] [2] [3]. Lenders still vary: some treat 660–719 as “prime” while super‑prime/very good begins around 720+, so what qualifies as “good” for loan pricing depends on which score model and which lender you face [4] [5].
1. What “good” means on the two main score systems
FICO’s widely used banding typically places “good” scores roughly between 670 and 739 on its 300–850 scale; scores 740–799 are usually labeled “very good” and 800–850 “exceptional” [1]. VantageScore and different versions can shift cutoffs slightly — for example, some VantageScore ranges treat the lower edge of “good” near 661 — so you can be “good” on one model and sit a point or two different on another [1] [6].
2. How averages put “good” in context
FICO reported the average U.S. credit score was 715 in early 2025; CNBC, Experian and WalletHub note that 715 is considered “good,” meaning the typical American sits in the “good” category and many consumers will qualify for prime‑rate loan offers at that level [2] [3] [7]. State and age variation matter: Experian reported state averages from about 680 to 742 and found younger cohorts averaging in the “good” band while older cohorts trend toward “very good” [3].
3. What lenders actually care about: “good” vs. pricing classes
Regulatory and industry data show lenders often use bands with different names — e.g., CFPB/industry visuals list categories like near‑prime (620–659), prime (660–719) and super‑prime (720+) using FICO Score 8 — meaning a 670 might be “good” but still below the 720 threshold named “super‑prime” where the best pricing generally begins [4]. Consumer sites echo this: a score of 720+ often opens the best credit-card and loan offers, while 670–719 gets access to many mainstream products but not always the cheapest rates [5] [6].
4. Practical implications: what a “good” score gets you
Being in the 670–739 “good” range usually improves approval odds for mainstream credit cards, auto loans and some mortgages compared with lower bands and often qualifies you for “prime” loan rates, but the very best rates and premium cards commonly expect 720+ or 750+ [2] [8] [5]. Different lenders and products weigh score, income, debt‑to‑income and other underwriting factors, so a single three‑digit number is important but not the whole decision [3].
5. How to move from good to very good or excellent
Consumer guidance emphasizes the same levers: on‑time payment history, low credit utilization (experts recommend under 30%, ideally under 10%), a mix of credit types, and avoiding unnecessary hard inquiries; these are the techniques lenders and personal‑finance outlets point to for lifting a score from “good” toward “very good” or “excellent” [9] [10]. Sites that track cards and rewards note that scores above about 720–750 make more premium products reliably available [5] [8].
6. Where reporting and definitions disagree — and why it matters
Different organizations use slightly different labels and cutoffs: FICO’s “good” (≈670–739) is widely cited, but VantageScore cutoffs and lender‑specific practices can shift the practical meaning; WalletHub, U.S. News, NerdWallet and other consumer sites each highlight slightly different numeric thresholds for “good,” “very good,” and “excellent,” and regulatory data frame bands like “prime” and “super‑prime” that lenders actually use for pricing [1] [7] [6] [4]. That variance matters for borrowers shopping for the best rates since a few dozen points can change pricing tiers [4].
7. Bottom line and reader takeaways
If your score is roughly 670–739 you are within the commonly accepted “good” band and around the national average (FICO ≈715), which generally gives decent access to credit and many favorable offers; to reach the lowest‑cost borrowing and top rewards cards, aim for 720+ and especially toward 750–800 where many issuers reserve their best deals [1] [2] [8]. If you want steps tailored to your situation, check the exact score model a lender will use and monitor your FICO and VantageScore values — they can differ by 20+ points — then focus on on‑time payments and lowering utilization as the fastest wins [9] [1].
Limitations: available sources do not mention a single universal legal definition of “good” used across all lenders; instead, the above synthesizes commonly reported bandings and lending practices from the provided reporting [1] [4].