For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent.
For credit scores that range from 300 to 850, a credit score in the mid to high 600s or above is generally considered good. A score in the high 700s or 800s is considered excellent. About a third of consumers have FICO® ScoresÎ that fall between 600 and 750âand an additional 48% have a higher score. In 2023, the average FICO® Score in the U.S. was 715.
Lenders use their own criteria for deciding whom to lend to and at what rates. But a higher credit score can generally help you qualify for a credit card or loan with a lower interest rate and better terms. The two main types of credit scores, the FICO® Score and VantageScore® credit scores, vary slightly in their ranges but have similar scoring factors.
Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life. It gives lenders a quick snapshot of your creditworthiness and can determine whether you get approved for credit and what interest rates you pay. So is a credit score of 736 good? Let’s take a detailed look.
What Does a 736 Credit Score Mean?
A 736 credit score is considered good by both FICO and VantageScore, the two most commonly used scoring models
FICO scores range from 300 to 850. Under the FICO model a score between 670 to 739 is categorized as good credit. With a good credit score you’ll likely get approved for credit and qualify for competitive interest rates, though not necessarily the lowest rates.
VantageScores also range from 300 to 850 A score between 700 to 750 is classified as good credit by VantageScore. This score range indicates to lenders that you are a well-qualified borrower
So while a 736 isn’t an exceptional credit score, it is solidly within the good credit tier with both scoring models. Compared to consumers with fair credit or bad credit, you’ll have much better chances of getting approved for loans and credit cards.
What Can You Get With a 736 Credit Score?
With a good 736 credit score, you’ll qualify for most loans and credit cards, possibly with favorable rates and terms. Here’s a quick look at what credit you can expect to get approved for:
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Credit cards – You’ll qualify for most credit cards, including rewards cards, and can likely get approved for premium travel rewards cards aimed at consumers with good credit. You may also get cards with 0% intro APR offers.
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Auto loans – A 736 FICO score means you’ll likely get an auto loan with competitive interest rates. Shop around among lenders for the best deal.
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Mortgages – You can expect to qualify for a conventional mortgage with a 736 credit score. You’ll also meet FHA minimum score requirements. Compare mortgage rates and shop lenders to find the best terms.
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Personal loans – Good approval odds for unsecured personal loans from online lenders, banks and credit unions. Interest rates will be based on your creditworthiness.
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Student loans – Federal student loans don’t require a credit check. You’ll also qualify for good rates on private student loans.
The higher your score, the more likely you’ll get the very best terms and lowest rates. But a 736 credit score means you’ll have access to a wide variety of credit options at competitive rates.
How Does a 736 Credit Score Compare?
Here’s how a 736 credit score stacks up against other scores:
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A 736 is slightly better than average – It’s well above the average FICO score of 714 and average VantageScore of 688. So you have better credit than many Americans.
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A 736 is a very good FICO score – It’s near the top of the “good” tier in the FICO model. 45% of people have a lower FICO score than 736.
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A 736 is a good VantageScore – Your score is in the middle of the “good” credit tier according to VantageScore. Many lenders use one of these two models.
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A 736 is not excellent – You’re just below the “very good” tier for FICO (740-799) and the “excellent” tier for VantageScore (751-850). Raising your score could qualify you for even better credit terms.
While not perfect, a credit score of 736 means your credit is well above average and you manage credit responsibly. A 736 is considered good credit by lenders and means you have access to a wide variety of credit at competitive rates.
How to Raise Your 736 Credit Score
Here are some tips for improving your credit score from 736 to an excellent score over 750:
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Lower credit utilization – Keep balances low on credit cards and other revolving credit under 30% of your credit limit.
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Pay bills on time – Payment history is the biggest factor in your scores. Pay all bills by the due date.
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Limit hard inquiries – Each application for credit results in a hard inquiry, which temporarily dings your score a few points. Apply only for credit you need.
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Grow credit history – The length of your credit history accounts for 15% of your FICO score. Let your accounts age while using credit responsibly.
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Diversify credit mix – Have a variety of installment loans (mortgages, auto, student loans) and revolving accounts (credit cards) to show you can manage different types of credit.
With diligent credit management over time, you can nudge your credit score up into the “very good” or “exceptional” ranges. Aim to adopt long-term habits that build your credit rather than temporary quick fixes.
Is a 736 Credit Score Good or Bad?
Given that a 736 credit score is solidly within the “good” credit tier, it is definitively a good credit score. Here are some quick pros and cons:
The Pros
- Qualifies you for wide variety of credit at competitive rates
- Acceptable to most lenders for loans and credit cards
- Better terms than with fair or bad credit
- Better chance for approval compared to lower scores
The Cons
- Not high enough for the very best rates and terms
- Interest rates may be higher than with excellent credit
- Less likely to get big credit limits or premium rewards cards
Overall, a 736 credit score indicates to lenders that you manage credit responsibly and are a well-qualified borrower. A few tweaks to your credit habits can bump your score into the very good or exceptional ranges over time. But your current 736 score gives you access to plenty of affordable credit.
The Takeaway
A FICO or VantageScore of 736 is considered good credit. This credit score makes you eligible for most loans and credit cards at competitive interest rates compared to people with lower scores. It’s just shy of the tier for the very best borrowers who get elite credit offers. While not perfect, a 736 credit score demonstrates that you use credit wisely. With diligent money management, you can improve your 736 score to excellent over time and qualify for even better credit terms.
What Is a Good Credit Score to Buy a House?
To increase your odds of approval and qualify for a lower-rate mortgage, you should aim to have a credit score in the good range or higher. Thats a FICO® Score of at least 670.
The minimum credit score you need to buy a house could range from around 500 to 700, but will ultimately depend on the type of mortgage loan youre applying for and your lender. Many lenders require a minimum credit score of 620 for a conventional mortgage. Other types of mortgages have different credit score requirements.
| Minimum Credit Score for Government-Backed Mortgages | |
|---|---|
| FHA home loans | 500 – 579 (10% down payment) 580+ (3.5% down payment) |
| USDA loans | 580 – 620 may be required by lenders, but there is no set minimum |
| VA loans | 620+ generally required by lenders |
Remember that your credit score plays an important role in determining the interest rate and payment terms on a mortgage loan. Lenders base the interest they charge on how risky they view you as a borrower. So while it may be possible to get a mortgage with bad credit, youre typically better off improving your score before you apply for a mortgage.
What Is a Good VantageScore Credit Score?
The latest VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0 credit scores use a range of 300 to 850âthe same as the base FICO® Scoresâand a good score is 661 to 780.
VantageScore doesnt have industry-specific credit scores, but it has released updated models over the years. The first two VantageScore credit scores had a 501 to 990 range, but lenders dont commonly use those scores.
Is A 736 Credit Score Good? – CreditGuide360.com
FAQ
What can a 736 credit score get you?
A FICO® Score of 736 provides access to a broad array of loans and credit card products, but increasing your score can increase your odds of approval for an even greater number, at more affordable lending terms.
Is 736 a good credit score to buy a house?
Your credit score (commonly called a FICO ® Score) can range from 300 at the low end to 850 at the high end. A score of 740 or above is generally considered very good, but you don’t need that score or above to buy a home.
How rare is a 750 credit score?
A credit score of 750 is considered “very good” and is above the average credit score in the United States. While it’s not as rare as an exceptional score of 800 or higher, it still places you in a relatively strong position with lenders.
Is 736 a good credit score to buy a car?
According to Experian, a target credit score of 661 or above should get you a new-car loan with an annual percentage rate of around 6.70% or better, or a used-car loan around 9.06% or lower. Superprime: 781-850.