Both FICO and VantageScore use the 300-850 point range, and fair credit starts around 630. No specific number would qualify you for a loan or credit card as lenders and credit card issuers have varying scores required to approve. However, you can get an idea of what credit products you’re likely to qualify for by knowing what credit score range.
Fair Credit and Good Credit
The fair credit range is between 630 to 689. And a good score starts at about 690. There’s always an opportunity to build the credit score, but the time it takes depends on your score, the negatives on your report, and what steps you will be able to take.
If you currently have a fair credit score, try to improve it and enter the good credit zone to unlock better financial opportunities.
- You would qualify for better interest rates on loans, insurance, and credit cards with a higher credit score.
- Credit cards provide rewards, cashback, and sometimes even 0% interest rates for higher credit scores.
- With a credit score higher than the fair range, you might not need to pay a deposit if you are renting a place.
Building Your Credit
There are many ways to build credit. The quickest way is to check if there are any errors in the credit report. If you find any error, you can dispute it, and your score will increase instantly. Some commonly disputed errors are missing entries of on-time payments or files being misplaced with someone else with your name. If you don’t find any errors, you can try using less than 30% of the credit limit of all the credit cards you use. Never cross more than 30% for scores to improve.
You will receive at least a copy of your credit report for free for every 12 months from each of the three credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. It’s also essential to make sure you don’t miss out on the basics:
- Always pay on time without missing even once.
- If you can, prioritize credit card bills and pay in full each month.
- Schedule automatic payments for credit cards so that you don’t miss even once.
- Opt for mobile and email updates and alerts so that you can calculate the percentage of credit available.
- Leave credit accounts open unless you have no other choice. The average age of your accounts affects your credit score.
If you have made a colossal mistake in the past that decreased your credit score drastically, you have to wait. There’s no other option unless you get a substantial unexpected financial breakthrough for your credit score to increase immediately.
Finally, be aware that no one can remove the negative parts of your credit report. The Federal Trade Commission always advises everyone not to believe agencies that guarantee to increase your credit score or remove specific details from your report. These are scams that would steal your money.
