What Is a Good Credit Score? The Complete Range Explained by Country

Why Credit Scores Vary by Country and Bureau

Credit scores are not universal. Each country operates its own credit bureau system, and within countries, multiple bureaus may use different models and different numerical scales. This creates a landscape where the same person's "credit score" looks completely different depending on which bureau you consult and in which country.

The underlying logic is identical everywhere: bureaus collect data about how you borrow and repay money, then apply a proprietary formula to produce a number summarising your creditworthiness. But the scale, the data inputs, and the weight given to each factor differ by bureau and by model.

This is why it's essential to know which scoring model applies when you're told your credit score, and why comparing scores across models or bureaus is misleading without knowing the scale each uses.

Credit Score Ranges: United States

In the US, two primary scoring models dominate: FICO Score and VantageScore. Both use a 300-850 scale, which makes comparison easier, but their weighting of factors differs, meaning the same credit history can produce different scores on each model.

FICO Score Ranges (300-850)

* 800+: 23% of consumers

* 740-799: 21%

* 670-739: 17%

* 580-669: 18%

* Below 580: 21%

The average US FICO score as of 2026 is 717, sitting in the Good range, but below the Very Good threshold where the best loan rates become accessible.

What Each Band Means in Practice (US)

At 800+: You qualify for the best mortgage rates, premium credit cards with the highest rewards, personal loans below 7% APR, and car loans below 6% APR. Virtually no mainstream lender will decline you based on credit alone.

At 740-799: You access most of the same products with rates only marginally higher than the exceptional tier. Most people in this band won't notice a meaningful difference from the 800+ tier in daily financial life.

At 670-739: Good, but not great. You're approved for most products, but you're paying a meaningful premium on rates compared to very good or exceptional borrowers. On a $200,000 mortgage, the difference between 670 and 760 can cost $15,000-$20,000 over the loan term.

At 580-669: Options narrow. Many prime lenders decline applications in this range. You'll find lenders who work with fair credit, but at significantly higher rates. Improving to 670+ before applying for major credit is strongly recommended.

At below 580: Mainstream approval is rare. Secured credit cards, credit-builder loans, and specialist lenders become the primary options. This range requires a deliberate rebuilding strategy before major credit becomes accessible.

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Credit Score Ranges: United Kingdom

The UK operates three main credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion), each using a different scale. There is no single unified UK credit score.

Experian (Scale: 0-999)

→ Learn more in our guides: How to Improve Your Credit Score Fast · How Credit Card Interest Works · explore our Finance Tools hub.

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Credit Score Ranges: Australia

Australia uses two primary credit bureaus: Equifax (formerly Veda) and Experian. The Comprehensive Credit Reporting (CCR) system, fully implemented since 2019, means Australian credit files now include both positive and negative data, a change that made Australian scores more nuanced and, for many consumers, more accurate.

Equifax Australia (Scale: 0-1,200)

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What "Good" Looks Like Across All Three Countries

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How Credit Score Bands Affect What You Pay

The real-world financial impact of credit score bands is substantial. Here's what a US borrower pays across score tiers on a $30,000 car loan over 5 years (indicative rates, 2026):

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Common Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing scores across different bureaus or models Seeing a 720 from Credit Karma (VantageScore) and assuming your FICO score is also 720 is a common error. The models weight factors differently and can diverge by 20-50 points for the same person. Lenders specify which model they use; always check your score on the relevant model before applying.

Assuming one bureau's score represents all bureaus In the US, your Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion scores may differ by 30-50 points because each bureau may hold slightly different data. A lender pulling from TransUnion may see a different score than one pulling from Experian. Check all three before a major application.

Thinking a "Good" score is good enough for everything A 670 FICO score qualifies as "Good", but it won't unlock the best mortgage rates, the top rewards credit cards, or the lowest personal loan APRs. Those require 740+. For major financial decisions worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, the effort to push from Good to Very Good is absolutely worth making.

Ignoring your credit score until you need to borrow Most people only check their credit score when they're about to apply for a loan, when it's too late to improve it before the application. Make credit monitoring a quarterly habit, the same way you might review your savings or investment accounts.

Believing that a perfect score is necessary You don't need an 850 FICO or a 999 Experian to access the best rates. Most lenders offer their best products at 760+ (US) or the equivalent "Excellent" threshold in your country. Pursuing a perfect score is diminishing returns; the meaningful gains are in moving from Fair to Good, and from Good to Very Good.

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