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Credit score guide

Your credit score, decoded.

What goes into a FICO Score, what the ranges mean, how long negative marks last, and simple steps to raise your score before you borrow.

See the score rangesImprove my score
Updated October 17, 20269 min readFact-checked against primary sources
Woman using a calculator at her desk to work out a monthly loan payment
Biggest factor in FICO Scores35%Payment history: paying on time

Key takeaways

  • FICO Scores range from 300 to 850; 670–739 is good.2
  • Payment history (35%) and amounts owed (30%) make up about two-thirds of the score.1
  • Free weekly credit reports are available at AnnualCreditReport.com.5

The scale

FICO Score ranges

FICO Score ranges: poor 300 to 579, fair 580 to 669, good 670 to 739, very good 740 to 799, exceptional 800 to 850 Poor300–579Fair580–669Good670–739Very good740–799Exceptional800–850 300–850
Base FICO Score ranges. Lenders set their own approval rules.

The formula

What goes into a FICO Score

FICO groups the information in your credit report into five weighted categories.

Payment history35%
Paying on time, every time
Amounts owed30%
How much of your credit you use
Length of credit history15%
How long your accounts have been open
New credit10%
Recent applications and new accounts
Credit mix10%
Cards, installment loans and other types

Source: myFICO.1

Credit checks

Soft vs. hard inquiries

Soft inquiry

0 points

Does not affect FICO Scores.3

  • Checking your own credit
  • Most prequalification offers
  • Account reviews by current lenders

Hard inquiry

Usually < 5 points

Most people lose fewer than five points.3

  • A full loan or card application
  • Counts in FICO Scores for 12 months
  • Stays on your report up to 24 months

Time limits

How long negative marks last

7 yearsmost negative information, including late payments4
10 yearsbankruptcies, at most4
12 monthshow long a hard inquiry counts in FICO Scores3
24 monthshow long a hard inquiry can stay on your report3

Step by step

How to raise your score

  1. 1

    Pay every bill on time

    Payment history is the largest factor in FICO Scores at 35%.1

    Tip: Autopay for at least the minimum prevents accidental late payments.

  2. 2

    Keep card balances low

    Amounts owed is 30% of FICO Scores. Paying balances down before the statement date can help.1

  3. 3

    Do not close old accounts without a reason

    Length of credit history is 15% of FICO Scores.1

  4. 4

    Apply for new credit sparingly

    Each hard inquiry usually costs fewer than five points and counts for 12 months.3

  5. 5

    Check your reports every few months

    You can get free weekly reports from all three bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com.5

    Tip: Dispute errors directly with the bureau that reports them.

Fix errors

How to dispute a mistake on your report

  1. 1

    Get all three reports

    Visit AnnualCreditReport.com, the official free site. Other sites may charge you or try to steal your information.5

  2. 2

    Mark every error

    Look for accounts you do not recognize, wrong balances, late payments you made on time, and old debts that should have aged off.

  3. 3

    File a dispute with the bureau

    Each bureau has an online dispute process. Explain the error and attach copies of proof.

  4. 4

    Also contact the company that reported it

    Send the same proof to the lender or collector that supplied the wrong information.

  5. 5

    Check the result

    Get updated reports after the bureau finishes its investigation and confirm the fix.

Questions

Credit score questions

What is a good credit score?

For base FICO Scores, 670–739 is considered good, 740–799 very good and 800–850 exceptional. 580–669 is fair, and below 580 is poor.2

Does checking my own score lower it?

No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and does not affect your FICO Score.3

How long do late payments stay on my report?

Most negative information, including late payments, can stay for seven years. Bankruptcies can stay for up to ten years.4

How often can I get free credit reports?

Every week, from each of the three bureaus, at AnnualCreditReport.com. The bureaus made free weekly reports permanent in 2023.5

Can a company fix my credit for a fee?

No one can legally remove accurate negative information. Be wary of anyone who charges upfront to repair credit or guarantees approval.8

Personal loansHow your score affects your rateLoan optionsOptions for every credit levelShopping for ratesCompare without hurting your scoreCredit repair scamsRed flags to watch for

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Sources

Sources for this page

Official and primary sources only. Last reviewed October 17, 2026.

  1. 1
    myFICOCredit scoring
    What's in my FICO Scores?
    myfico.comScore factor weights
  2. 2
    ExperianCredit bureau
    What Are the Different Credit Score Ranges?
    experian.comFICO Score ranges
  3. 3
    myFICOCredit scoring
    How to Rate Shop and Minimize the Impact to Your FICO Scores
    myfico.comHard vs. soft inquiries
  4. 4
    Consumer Financial Protection BureauRegulator guidance
    How long does negative information remain on my credit report?
    consumerfinance.gov7 years; bankruptcies up to 10
  5. 5
    Federal Trade CommissionRegulator guidance
    You now have permanent access to free weekly credit reports
    consumer.ftc.govOctober 2023
  6. 6
    AnnualCreditReport.comOfficial site
    Free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion
    annualcreditreport.comAuthorized by federal law
  7. 7
    Federal Reserve BoardOfficial statistics
    Consumer Credit G.19
    federalreserve.govReleased Oct 7, 2026 · August 2026 data
  8. 8
    Federal Trade CommissionRegulator guidance
    What To Know About Advance-Fee Loans
    consumer.ftc.govScam warning signs