Tuesday, December 15th, 2009

My credit scores has a range between 300 to 850. I’m confused as to what this means?

credit score range
Simon B asked:


I was renting this apartment, and they did a credit background check. Two days later they called back and said I have been approved; I subsequently signed the lease with them. So apparently my credit was good enough.

Two weeks after that, I received a letter titled “Notice to loan applicant”. In the letter it listed the scores from all three major credit bureaus. But this is where it gets confusing to me. The scores listed under Equifax/Beacon are 300 – 850; for Experian’s Fair/Isaac score, its 360 – 840; and Trans Union/Empirica is 336 – 843.

First of all, I thought the FICO score is one number, rather than a range of numbers; secondly, the scores provided covers the extremes on both ends (from the worst to the best). What does this mean?

I have three credit cards, but use only two; and I always, I mean always pay my balance in full each month. I assume my credit scores are OK.

Can some help to explain why my scores cover the extremes?

Thanks much!

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6 Responses to “My credit scores has a range between 300 to 850. I’m confused as to what this means?”

sunshiny93702 Says:
December 15th, 2009 at 2:58 pm

300 is very poor
400 is poor
500 is average
600 is good
700-800 excellent

limick32 Says:
December 16th, 2009 at 6:43 am

A range is not possible for a credit score. You only have one number.
The total range of scores is between 300 and 850 so if you have a 300 you suck and if you have an 850 you’re the best.

If you really want to know your score you can pay for a report from Fair Isac where they will tell you your score and how it is derived.

Latigo Says:
December 20th, 2009 at 7:57 pm

They aren’t giving you your FICO credit score, which is issued by Fair Issac.

Each of the credit scoring companies is telling your landlord that your credit score falls within the quoted range. It is then up to your landlord to decide if falling within these ranges is acceptable to him as a basis for renting to you.

a_sojourner_withyou Says:
December 22nd, 2009 at 7:29 pm

So yes, your credit was good enough. Your total score must have been in the 640-850 overall range. Each credit reporting agency use their own rating system from the # 300 (lowest) to 850 (highest) number. They use varies methods to determine your “score.”

It is the number of bills paid on time, the amount of Loan to income, The number of loans and highest amount you have borrowed before. Also the number of loans you have and how you paid them over a 6month to one year time period.

They also count credit inquires against you. They become negative so many points (so every time you apply for a
loan your credit score is minus one or more..if you have no credit that to counts against you.

abel jarrod Says:
December 24th, 2009 at 6:01 pm

Your credit score is a number based upon your credit report. As you grow in life you will find that it is one of the most important number affecting life and finances. The higher the credit score, the better it is. A higher score can help you find loans with low interest rates and quick turnaround times for approval. The more you understand your credit score and the factors that affect your credit score the easier it will be for you to keep your financial health in order. The following 5 critical factors affect your credit score in a major way. By knowing these you can keep a check on them and make your credit score a healthy one.

1. Re-payment history

This factor carries the highest weight in your credit report. How steadfast are you in repaying your loans, makes your credit report shine. Experts claim that this factor alone accounts for 35% of points in your credit score. So, if you falter on repayment front it is sure to be reflected poorly on your credit score. Read more about it at:

richkvegas Says:
December 25th, 2009 at 4:42 pm

What you were looking at was the possible range of each scoring system. This has nothing to do with your individual score.

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