A 486 credit score hurts your financial options. Missed payments and high credit usage usually cause this low score. If you don’t act quickly, it can drop even more, making it tougher to get loans or rent an apartment.
Turn things around by paying your bills on time and keeping your credit card balances below 30% of their limits. Check your credit report regularly for mistakes and dispute any errors. If you’re unsure where to start, call The Credit Pros. We’ll chat without any pressure, assess your credit situation, and give you personalized strategies to boost your score.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. A better credit score opens doors to better loans, credit cards, and housing. Contact The Credit Pros today, and let’s work together for your financial stability.
Your credit score is one of the most important factors lenders consider when determining your creditworthiness It gives them an idea of how likely you are to repay debt based on your past borrowing and payment history
Scores generally range from 300 to 850. But what exactly constitutes a “good” credit score? Is a 486 credit score good? Here’s what you need to know.
What is a Credit Score?
A credit score is a three-digit number calculated based on information in your credit reports from the three major credit bureaus – Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion. It’s meant to represent your creditworthiness.
Credit scores are calculated using credit scoring models. The most commonly used models are:
-
FICO Score – Developed by Fair Isaac Corporation, FICO scores range from 300 to 850. A score above 670 is considered good.
-
VantageScore – Developed by the three credit bureaus, VantageScores also range from 300 to 850. A score higher than 661 is considered good.
Lenders use credit scores along with other factors like income, debt-to-income ratio, and credit history to make lending decisions. In general, the higher your score, the better your loan terms will be.
What is Considered a Good Credit Score?
Credit scores are grouped into ranges to make them easier to understand. Here are the score ranges for FICO and VantageScore credit models:
FICO Score Ranges
- Exceptional: 800-850
- Very Good: 740-799
- Good: 670-739
- Fair: 580-669
- Poor: 300-579
For FICO scores, 670 and above is considered good while scores of 740 or higher are considered very good to exceptional.
VantageScore Ranges
- Excellent: 781-850
- Good: 661-780
- Fair: 601-660
- Poor: 300-600
For VantageScores, a score higher than 661 is considered good.
So while the exact ranges differ slightly, FICO and VantageScores agree that credit scores above 660 or 670 indicate good to exceptional credit.
Is a 486 Credit Score Good?
A 486 credit score falls in the poor range for both FICO and VantageScore credit models.
According to VantageScore’s score ranges, a 486 credit score is considered poor. With FICO scores, a 486 also falls into the poor range.
So no, a 486 credit score is not considered good or even fair. It indicates you may struggle getting approved for credit or only qualify for high interest rates.
What Does a 486 Credit Score Mean?
A 486 credit score means you have some past credit challenges or lack of credit history bringing down your score. Here are some reasons for a low 486 score:
-
Late Payments: Paying bills late, especially if you have late payments across multiple accounts, can significantly lower your score.
-
High Balances: Maxing out credit cards or having high balances close to your limits on revolving credit accounts can lower your score.
-
Collections: Unpaid debts that get turned over to collections can crush your credit scores.
-
Bankruptcy/Foreclosure: Bankruptcies may stay on your credit reports for up to 10 years, severely damaging credit scores especially in the first few years. Foreclosures typically drop scores by over 100 points and impact scores for up to 7 years.
-
Lack of Credit History: If you’re just starting to establish credit, you may have a low score due to lack of credit history. Building history takes time.
The good news is credit scores are not set in stone. With time and smart credit habits like making payments on time, keeping balances low, and avoiding new debt in collections, you can improve a 486 score.
How to Improve a 486 Credit Score
It takes time and discipline, but improving a 486 credit score is doable with some simple credit management tips:
-
Pay all bills on time. Set up autopay if it helps you avoid late payments. Paying late can severely hurt your scores.
-
Keep balances below 30% of limits. High utilization rates negatively impact credit scores.
-
Don’t close old accounts. Having long, positive credit history helps your scores.
-
Dispute errors on your credit reports. Mistakes can bring down your scores so dispute inaccurate information.
-
Limit new credit applications. Too many hard inquiries from applying for new credit dings your scores.
-
Enroll in credit monitoring. Keep tabs on your score and watch for identity theft.
-
Consider credit counseling. Non-profit credit counseling agencies can help manage debt and improve finances.
-
Practice patience. Building scores takes time. Stick with good habits.
With diligence and smart credit management, you can improve a 486 score over time. But it takes patience and discipline.
The Takeaway
A 486 credit score is considered poor by both FICO and VantageScore standards. It signals past credit struggles or thin credit history is bringing down your score. The good news is scores are fluid, so with diligent credit management you can improve a 486 score over time. But boosting a low score requires patience and perseverance.
Should I Negotiate And Pay Off Debts To Improve My Bad Credit Score?
Yes, you should negotiate and pay off debts to improve your bad credit score. By negotiating, you can often pay a lower total amount than what you owe, making it easier to manage your finances and reducing the burden of debt.
When you negotiate, you may reach a settlement that satisfies both you and your creditor. Lenders prefer recovering some amount rather than writing off your debt completely, so it’s worth asking. You can propose a payment plan that eases your financial strain by communicating openly with your creditor about your situation.
While settling a debt might initially lower your credit score, not paying can hurt it even more over time. Settling shows you are taking steps to resolve your debts. Aim for the creditor to report the debt as “paid settled,” which is better than leaving an unpaid debt on your credit report.
If a collection agency holds your debt, settling could stop further actions against you. Remember, debt settlement can remain on your credit history for up to seven years, but it can lead to lower balances. Consider negotiating directly with creditors or working with a non-profit credit counseling service, as for-profit debt settlement companies can further damage your credit.
On the whole, negotiating and paying off your debts positions you better for credit improvement. It’s a proactive step toward a healthier financial future.
Which Negative Marks On My Credit Report Affect My 486 Score?
Negative marks on your credit report that affect your 486 credit score include missed payments, charge-offs, collections, repossessions, foreclosures, and bankruptcies. Here’s how they impact your score:
• Late Payments: If you miss a payment by 30 days or more, it can stay on your report for up to 7.5 years. Even one late payment can significantly lower your score.
• Charge-Offs: An account charged-off due to non-payment stays on your report for 7 years.
• Collections: When creditors send unpaid debts to collections, this negative mark will remain on your credit report for 7 years.
• Repossessions: If you fail to pay for an item and it gets repossessed (like a vehicle), it will be noted on your report for 7 years.
• Foreclosures: A foreclosure due to unpaid mortgage payments will also stay on your report for 7 years.
• Bankruptcy: Depending on the type, bankruptcy can remain on your report for either 7 or 10 years (with Chapter 7 lasting longer).
To improve your score, make timely payments moving forward and address any inaccuracies in your report. Monitoring your credit ensures it accurately reflects your situation.
To wrap up, focus on making on-time payments, correcting any inaccuracies, and regularly checking your credit report to gradually improve your credit score.
What is a GOOD Credit Score in 2025? What’s the Average Credit Score Overall & By Age / Generation?
FAQ
Can I recover from a 480 credit score?
Yes, a credit score of 480 is salvageable with dedicated effort. By consistently paying bills on time, paying down debt, disputing errors on credit reports, avoiding new credit applications, and building positive credit history, it’s possible to improve the score over time.
Is 486 a bad credit score?
Your credit score is only 486 because it falls in the “poor” range (300-579). Several major factors contribute to this low score. **Payment History**: Missing or delaying payments severely impacts your score. This is the most significant factor.
What is a realistically good credit score?
- 800 to 850: Excellent Credit Score. Individuals in this range are considered to be low-risk borrowers. …
- 740 to 799: Very Good Credit Score. …
- 670 to 739: Good Credit Score. …
- 580 to 669: Fair Credit Score. …
- 300 to 579: Poor Credit Score.
Can I get a car with a 486 credit score?
In general, you’ll need a FICO credit score of at least 661 to qualify for a traditional auto loan, although there are lenders that offer bad credit auto loans.Jun 10, 2025