What's a Good Experian Credit Score?

An Experian score of 670‑739 is generally considered good, 740‑799 very good, and 800 or higher excellent (see Experian's official score ranges). These brackets line up with the standard FICO and VantageScore models, so lenders use them across the board.

If your report shows 682, lenders will typically treat you as a good borrower and may offer average interest rates. A score of 755 pushes you into the very‑good category, often qualifying you for lower rates or higher credit limits. Scoring 812 lands you in the excellent tier, where premium credit cards and the most favorable loan terms become possible. This ties directly into the next section on what a 680, 720, or 760 Experian score gets you.

• At a 680 Experian score (Good), you typically qualify for standard credit cards with APRs of 15‑22%, personal loans up to $10,000 at 9‑14% APR, auto loans at 4‑7% rates, mortgage offers near prime but often require a larger down payment, and rental applications that may need a modest security deposit.
• At a 720 Experian score (Good, upper tier), you typically receive credit cards offering 0‑15% introductory APRs and higher limits, personal loans up to $20,000 at 6‑10% APR, auto loans at 3‑5% rates, mortgage rates within 0.25‑0.5 points of prime, and insurance premiums that can drop 5‑10% thanks to better risk grading.
• At a 760 Experian score (Very Good), you typically unlock premium rewards cards with 0‑12% APRs and generous perks, personal loans up to $35,000 at 5‑8% APR, auto financing at 2‑4% rates, mortgage rates often at prime or better, near‑automatic rental approvals, and insurance discounts of 10‑20% for both auto and home policies.

Lenders price loans according to the bracket your Experian score lands in.

• 670‑739 (Good) - Credit cards often carry 15‑22 % APR, may offer 0 % intro periods on purchases. Auto loans typically range 5‑7 % APR for new‑car financing. Mortgages are usually priced about 0.5‑0.75 % above the prime rate; a 30‑year fixed might sit near 6‑7 % APR. Personal loans often appear with 10‑14 % APR and lower limits.
• 740‑799 (Very Good) - Cards may provide 12‑18 % APR and richer rewards (cash back, travel points). Auto financing drops to 3‑5 % APR, sometimes with zero‑down promotions. Mortgage rates improve to roughly prime‑0.25‑0.5 %; a 30‑year fixed often lands in the 5‑6 % range. Personal loan APRs fall to 8‑12 % and credit limits rise.
• 800+ (Excellent) - Premium cards show 10‑15 % APR, generous sign‑up bonuses, and travel perks. Auto loans can dip below 3 % APR, especially for leasing deals. Mortgage rates often match or beat the prime rate, yielding 4‑5 % APR on a 30‑year fixed. Personal loans may be offered at 5‑8 % APR with high limits and flexible terms.

If you're targeting a higher bracket, the next section on five quick fixes shows how to boost your Experian score this month.

Experian scores and FICO models usually line up within a 20‑point band, but FICO's 10‑year validation history gives it a slight edge in predicting loan default, with studies showing a 1‑2 % higher accuracy rate (Consumer Financial Protection Bureau credit score study). This means a 720 Experian score often translates to a 730‑740 FICO, and lenders may weigh the FICO number a bit more when assessing risk.

VantageScore, developed jointly by the three bureaus, generally mirrors Experian's output within 15 points, yet its newer algorithm incorporates alternative data such as utility payments, which can improve accuracy for thin‑file consumers. Consequently, a 720 Experian score might appear as a 735 VantageScore, and some lenders - especially those focusing on newer credit profiles - may favor the VantageScore reading.

Five quick fixes you can apply this month typically raise your Experian score within weeks.

1. Pay down revolving balances so your credit utilization falls below 30 percent, ideally under 10 percent. Experian recalculates utilization after each statement closing date, so a lower ratio shows up on the next report.
2. Ask your card issuers for a credit‑limit increase on accounts you already manage responsibly. A higher limit with unchanged balances instantly reduces the utilization percentage that Experian sees.
3. Join a trusted family member's credit card as an authorized user. The account's long, positive history adds to your file and can lift your Experian score without opening new credit.
4. Dispute any inaccurate items using Experian's online portal how to dispute errors on your Experian report. Corrections often remove negative marks within 30 days, improving the score quickly.
5. Set up automatic payments for all revolving and installment accounts. Consistently on‑time payments reinforce the largest scoring factor and can add a few points after a single month of flawless history.

Cutting your credit utilization to under 30 % - preferably under 10 % - can lift your Experian score as soon as the next reporting cycle. Utilization makes up about 30 % of the scoring model, so a lower ratio signals less risk to lenders and typically triggers a noticeable bump.

Pay down the highest‑balance cards first, then ask the issuer for a credit limit increase while keeping the balance low. If you have multiple cards, spread the debt so no single card exceeds the 30 % mark. Keep old accounts open; closing them reduces total available credit and can raise utilization again.

For larger debts, a low‑interest personal loan can convert revolving balances into installment debt, which most scoring models treat as zero utilization. Track the changes on your report and watch for the improvement within a month.understanding credit utilization

Dispute errors on your Experian report the right way by following a clear, documented process that forces the bureau to verify each claim.

1. Get the latest report - download the free monthly file, highlight every inaccuracy, and gather supporting docs such as statements, paid‑off letters, or court orders.
2. Submit a precise dispute - use the Experian online dispute portal or certified mail; name the exact item, state why it's wrong, and attach the evidence.
3. Demand a reinvestigation - the bureau must investigate within 30 days and send you the results; keep the tracking number and a copy of everything you sent.
4. Review the outcome - if the item remains, request a written explanation of the reason; consider escalating to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau if the response is unsatisfactory.
5. Confirm the correction - once updated, re‑download the report, verify the change, and watch your Experian score reflect the improvement.

Clean up now, then learn how long bankruptcies, late payments, and collections stay on Experian.

• Bankruptcies remain 10 years, while late payments and collections linger 7 years on your Experian report.
• Chapter 7 or Chapter 13 bankruptcies appear for the full ten‑year period, regardless of repayment status.
• Any missed payment - 30 days late or more - stays for seven years from the date of the original delinquency.
• Collection accounts, whether paid or unpaid, also stay for seven years from the first delinquency that led to the collection.
• After the reporting period ends, the entry automatically drops, potentially boosting your Experian score.

You can start building an Experian history even with a thin credit file by creating tradeline activity that Experian records, which over time can push your Experian score into the Good (670‑739) range.

• Open a secured credit card or a credit‑builder loan; pay the balance in full each month and let the on‑time payments report to Experian within 30‑45 days.
• Become an authorized user on a family member's primary credit card; confirm the issuer reports to Experian and keep the account's utilization below 30 %.
• Add rent, utility, and phone payments through add utility and phone payments with Experian Boost; points may appear within weeks.
• Keep any existing accounts open, even if you rarely use them; length of credit history contributes positively to the Experian score.
• Use a savings‑secured credit card tied to a bank account; consistent use and prompt payment are reported as revolving debt.

If your identity's been stolen, you can clear fraudulent items, place a fraud alert, and rebuild your Experian score. Acting within 30 days usually speeds removal of false negatives.

First, contact every creditor listed on the fraudulent report and tell them the accounts are not yours. Provide a copy of the FTC Identity Theft Report (FTC Identity Theft Report) and any police filing number. Ask each creditor to close the account, mark it 'fraudulent,' and send a written confirmation.

Then file a fraud alert with Experian; the alert lasts 90 days and forces lenders to verify identity before opening new credit. Request a credit freeze if you prefer a longer‑term block. Finally, dispute each fraudulent item through Experian's online portal, attaching the FTC report and police copy; Experian must investigate within 30 days and delete proven fraud.

• Call all listed creditors, explain the theft, and request 'fraudulent' status.
• Submit the FTC Identity Theft Report and police report to each creditor.
• Place a fraud alert on your Experian file (free, 90‑day duration).
• Consider a credit freeze for added protection.
• Dispute every fraudulent entry on Experian's website, uploading supporting documents.
• Monitor the file daily; Experian will notify you of investigation results.

Once the disputes are resolved, keep credit utilization under 30 % and pay all bills on time; the Experian score typically rebounds into the good (670‑739) or higher range within a few months, depending on ongoing credit behavior.

Freezing your Experian file makes financial sense whenever you want to stop anyone from opening new accounts in your name and you aren't planning to apply for credit in the near future. Typical triggers include recent data‑breach alerts, reports of lost or stolen personal documents, or simply the desire to safeguard a good (670‑739) or excellent (800+) Experian score while you work on other financial goals.

The 2021 federal credit‑freeze law requires Experian to place or lift a freeze at no cost, so the protection carries no fee and can be removed instantly online when you need a loan, mortgage, or new card. For more details on the free‑of‑charge process, see Consumer Finance Bureau credit‑freeze FAQs.