ZelphinaCredit score ranges explained
What the common credit score ranges mean, what affects your score, and how to check your credit without hurting it.
Key points
- Most credit scores range from 300 to 850.
- Common FICO ranges: Poor below 580, Fair 580–669, Good 670–739, Very Good 740–799, Exceptional 800 and above.
- Scores are based on payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, credit mix and new credit.
- Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and does not lower your scores.
What a credit score is
A credit score is a number that summarizes the information in your credit reports, kept by the three nationwide credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian and TransUnion. Lenders and card issuers use scores, along with other information such as income, to decide whether to approve an application and what rate to offer. You do not have just one score: different scoring models and bureaus can produce slightly different numbers.
Credit score ranges
| FICO range | Rating |
|---|---|
| 800–850 | Exceptional |
| 740–799 | Very Good |
| 670–739 | Good |
| 580–669 | Fair |
| 300–579 | Poor |
On Zelphina, the credit question uses broad ranges like these only to describe your situation. It does not check your credit, and each provider makes its own decision with its own process.
What goes into your score
- Payment history: whether you pay your bills on time.
- Amounts owed: how much of your available credit you are using.
- Length of credit history: how long your accounts have been open.
- Credit mix: the types of credit you have, such as cards and installment loans.
- New credit: how many accounts you have opened or applied for recently.
Checking your credit
Reviewing your own credit reports or scores is a soft inquiry and does not affect your scores. When you apply for a loan or card, the lender usually makes a hard inquiry, which can lower your scores slightly. You can get your credit reports from all three bureaus at the official site, AnnualCreditReport.com. If you find an error, you can dispute it with the credit bureau.
Habits that can help over time
- Pay every bill on time; set up reminders or automatic payments.
- Keep card balances low compared with your credit limits.
- Apply for new credit only when you need it.
- Check your reports regularly and dispute mistakes.
Know your range?
Zelphina asks for an estimated range only to describe your situation. It does not run a credit check.
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