What is the lowest credit score?

Asked by: Mackenzie Pacocha  |  Last update: October 22, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (2 votes)

Takeaway: The lowest possible credit score you can have is 300. Standard credit scores range from 300 to 850. It's impossible to have a credit score outside that range. The national average credit score in 2021 was 716 for FICO and 694 for VantageScore.

Is it possible to have a 250 credit score?

What's a low credit score range? "Base" FICO Scores (FICO Score 8) range from 300-850, while industry-specific (auto, mortgage and credit card) FICO Scores range from 250-900.

How bad is a 600 credit score?

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 580 to 669, considered Fair. A 600 FICO® Score is below the average credit score. Some lenders see consumers with scores in the Fair range as having unfavorable credit, and may decline their credit applications.

What is the lowest credit you can have?

The FICO® Score , which is the most widely used scoring model, falls in a range that goes up to 850. The lowest credit score in this range is 300. But the reality is that almost nobody has a score that low. For the most part, a score below 580 is considered "bad credit." The average FICO® Score in the U.S. is 704.

Is 500 a bad credit score?

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 500 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders choose not to do business with borrowers whose scores fall in the Very Poor range, on grounds they have unfavorable credit.

Which credit bureau has the highest score? Lowest credit scores? Equifax? TransUnion? Experian?

36 related questions found

Is 300 a good credit score?

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 300 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders choose not to do business with borrowers whose scores fall in the Very Poor range, on grounds they have unfavorable credit.

Is a 620 credit score bad?

A FICO® Score of 620 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 620 FICO® Score is lower than the average U.S. credit score. Statistically speaking, 28% of consumers with credit scores in the Fair range are likely to become seriously delinquent in the future.

Whats the lowest Your credit score can be to buy a house?

Generally speaking, you'll need a credit score of at least 620 in order to secure a loan to buy a house. That's the minimum credit score requirement most lenders have for a conventional loan. With that said, it's still possible to get a loan with a lower credit score, including a score in the 500s.

Can I improve my credit score?

Pay on time.

One of the best things you can do to improve your credit score is to pay your debts on time and in full whenever possible. Payment history makes up a significant chunk of your credit score, so it's important to avoid late payments.

Is a 570 credit score bad?

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 570 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score.

Can I buy a car with a 602 credit score?

You should be able to get a car loan with a 602 credit score without a problem. Truthfully, people can get a car loan with almost any credit score—the difference will be what kind of interest rate you can secure. A score of 602 may get you an interest rate of between 11.92 percent and 4.68 percent on a new car loan.

Can I buy a house with a 601 credit score?

FHA Loan with 601 Credit Score

The most common type of loan available to borrowers with a 601 credit score is an FHA loan. FHA loans only require that you have a 500 credit score, so with a 601 FICO, you will definitely meet the credit score requirements.

Can you get 900 credit score?

Credit scores are calculated using information in your credit report. Credit scores from 660 to 900 are generally considered good, very good, or excellent. There's no “magic number” to reach when it comes to receiving better loan rates and terms.

Is 867 a good credit score?

An 867 credit score is excellent.

Is 1000 a good credit score?

If the maximum score is 750, you're pretty much a credit genius. If the max is over 1,000, you're sporting a C average—not really all that impressive.

Can I pay someone to fix my credit score?

While it may seem like a good idea to pay someone to fix your credit reports, there is nothing a credit repair company can do for you that you can't do yourself for free.

Should I pay off my credit card in full or leave a small balance?

It's Best to Pay Your Credit Card Balance in Full Each Month

Leaving a balance will not help your credit scores—it will just cost you money in the form of interest. Carrying a high balance on your credit cards has a negative impact on scores because it increases your credit utilization ratio.

Is Credit Karma accurate?

The credit scores and reports you see on Credit Karma should accurately reflect your credit information as reported by those bureaus. This means a couple of things: The scores we provide are actual credit scores pulled from two of the major consumer credit bureaus, not just estimates of your credit rating.

What credit score do you start with?

The base credit scores of the most popular credit-reporting models start at 300. Starting with a score of around 300 is possible only if you've managed your finances poorly. You may start to build a credit history or improve your score without using any type of credit.

How much do I need to make to buy a 300K house?

To purchase a $300K house, you may need to make between $50,000 and $74,500 a year. This is a rule of thumb, and the specific salary will vary depending on your credit score, debt-to-income ratio, the type of home loan, loan term, and mortgage rate.

What can I get with a 611 credit score?

An individual with a 611 credit score will typically receive a credit card interest rate of between 20.5 and 16.5 percent. In comparison, someone with excellent credit can receive an average credit card interest rate of 13.5 percent.

Can I buy a house with a 615 credit score?

FHA Loan with 615 Credit Score

The most common type of loan available to borrowers with a 615 credit score is an FHA loan. FHA loans only require that you have a 500 credit score, so with a 615 FICO, you will definitely meet the credit score requirements.

Is a 549 credit score bad?

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 549 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score.