FICO compresses your financial reputation into one number between 300 and 850. Here is what each band actually means in the wild.
Hover a band. The scale is non-linear in consequence — the leap from 660 to 720 buys more than 800 to 850.
Lenders see elevated risk. Secured cards and credit-builder loans are your runway.
Subprime territory. Approvals exist, but pricing is unkind.
The U.S. average. You qualify for most prime products.
Below-average risk. Premium cards open up. Mortgage tier improves.
Top 21% of consumers. Best pricing, highest limits, concierge offers.
FICO 9 forgives paid-off collections and weighs medical debt more gently. Most credit cards still pull FICO 8. Mortgage underwriters often pull older models — FICO 2, 4, and 5 — depending on bureau.
VantageScore is the bureau-built rival. Same 300–850 range, similar bands, different math. Free apps like Credit Karma show VantageScore — your lender almost certainly uses FICO.