The Dime Daily

Is a 680 Credit Score Good?

Updated 2026 · FICO Score 8 scale · U.S. average: 714

Yes — 680 is solidly in the 'good' credit score range (670–739).

FICO bucket: Good (670–739)

Skip the fluff — TL;DR

680 gets you conventional mortgages, good auto loan rates, and most major credit cards. You're comfortably in 'good' territory — another 60 points to 'very good' (740) brings the best rates.
FICO RangeCategoryYour score
800–850Exceptional
740–799Very Good
670–739Good680 ← you
580–669Fair
300–579Poor

What a 680 credit score gets you

🏠 Mortgage

Conventional approval is solid at 680. Most lenders price this in their standard rate sheet. PMI may still apply below 20% down.

Typical rate: ~6.3–7.0% (30-year fixed)— estimate, varies by lender, LTV, and loan type

🚗 Auto Loan

Prime auto loan rates. Credit unions often have the best rates for this score range.

Typical rate: ~5–9% APR

💳 Credit Cards

Most major rewards cards including Chase Sapphire Preferred, Citi Double Cash, and most travel cards at this level. Premium cards (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve) typically prefer 720+.

🏢 Apartment Rental

Approved at essentially all standard rental properties without additional conditions.

How 680 compares to the U.S. average

The U.S. average FICO is 714. At 680, you're 34 points below average — but just barely. You're in a normal, creditworthy position. Above average is 714+.

U.S. average (714)680
300 (min)714 avg850 (max)

How to improve a 680 credit score

  1. 1

    Focus on utilization — getting every card below 10% is the fastest path to 700+.

  2. 2

    Pay on time, every time. The longer you maintain perfect payment history, the faster old negatives lose impact.

  3. 3

    Don't open new accounts unless the card's value clearly exceeds the temporary score dip from the inquiry.

  4. 4

    If you have any accounts in collections, address them — they disproportionately suppress scores.

  5. 5

    740 is your next milestone target. At that threshold, most lenders move you into their best rate tier.

💰 Dime's Take

680 is a comfortable working score. You won't get turned away from much, but you're also not getting the best rates available. The jump from 680 to 740 is worth chasing — it's typically worth 0.3–0.6% on mortgage rates, which translates to tens of thousands of dollars over a 30-year loan.

Nearby credit scores

Is 650 a good credit score?Is 670 a good credit score?Is 700 a good credit score?Is 720 a good credit score?Is 730 a good credit score?

Frequently asked questions

Yes — 680 is solidly in the 'good' credit score range (670–739). FICO defines "good" credit as 670–739. Good credit (670–739) falls within or above that range, meaning you have access to most mainstream financial products at competitive rates.

With a 680 credit score: Mortgages — Conventional approval is solid at 680. Most lenders price this in their standard rate sheet. PMI may still apply below 20% down. Auto loans — Prime auto loan rates. Credit unions often have the best rates for this score range. Credit cards — Most major rewards cards including Chase Sapphire Preferred, Citi Double Cash, and most travel cards at this level. Premium cards (Amex Platinum, Chase Sapphire Reserve) typically prefer 720+. Apartment rentals — Approved at essentially all standard rental properties without additional conditions.

Focus on utilization — getting every card below 10% is the fastest path to 700+. Pay on time, every time. The longer you maintain perfect payment history, the faster old negatives lose impact. Don't open new accounts unless the card's value clearly exceeds the temporary score dip from the inquiry. If you have any accounts in collections, address them — they disproportionately suppress scores. 740 is your next milestone target. At that threshold, most lenders move you into their best rate tier.

The U.S. average FICO is 714. At 680, you're 34 points below average — but just barely. You're in a normal, creditworthy position. Above average is 714+.

FICO scores range from 300 to 850. The five ranges are: Poor (300–579), Fair (580–669), Good (670–739), Very Good (740–799), and Exceptional (800–850). Most lenders use FICO scores, though some use VantageScore which uses the same 300–850 range with slightly different cutoffs.
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