For most buyers, a credit score of 620 or higher opens the most doors. FHA loans go lower: 580 with 3.5% down, or 500 with 10% down. To get the best rates, aim for roughly 740 or above. The exact number depends on the loan type and the lender.
If you’re searching this, you’re probably wondering whether your score is “good enough” or what a few extra points would cost you. Both questions have clear answers. Below are the minimums by loan type, the score that earns better pricing, and what to do if you’re short.
Minimum credit score for a mortgage, by loan type
| Loan type | Typical minimum score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| FHA | 580 (3.5% down); 500-579 (10% down) | Many lenders set higher minimums than FHA itself |
| Conventional | Often 620 | Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac dropped their hard floors, but lenders still apply their own |
| VA | No official minimum | Most lenders ask for about 580-620 |
| USDA | No official minimum | Most lenders ask for about 640 |
| Jumbo | Often 700+ | Some lenders go as low as 680; many prefer 720+ |
These are general ranges. Your lender’s own rules (called overlays) decide what you actually need.
FHA loans
FHA loans are backed by the Federal Housing Administration and are the usual route for lower scores. You can qualify with a 580 score and 3.5% down. With a score from 500 to 579, you generally need 10% down. FHA loans carry mortgage insurance premiums, which add to your monthly cost, so run the full payment before you decide.
Conventional loans
Conventional loans aren’t government-backed, and they’re the most common type. For years, 620 was the standard minimum. In November 2025, Fannie Mae removed its hard 620 cutoff for loans run through its automated underwriting system, following Freddie Mac. Instead of one score cutoff, the system weighs your whole file.
That doesn’t mean a 580 gets you approved everywhere. Lenders can still set their own minimums, mortgage insurers have their own rules, and manually underwritten loans often still require 620. If you’re below 620, ask lenders directly what their cutoff is.
VA and USDA loans
Neither program sets a firm minimum score, so the lender decides. VA loans (for eligible veterans and service members) and USDA loans (for eligible rural and suburban areas) can both be no-down-payment options. Expect lenders to look for about 620 for VA and about 640 for USDA.
Jumbo loans
Jumbo loans exceed conforming loan limits and carry more risk for the lender. Expect a minimum around 700, often with larger down payments and cash reserves.
Which credit score do mortgage lenders use?
Lenders pull your scores from all three bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) and typically use the middle one. If your scores are 680, 695 and 710, they’d use 695.
Two things catch people off guard:
- Your mortgage score may not match the free score on your banking app. Lenders often use older FICO models, though VantageScore 4.0 is now accepted for conventional loans, so your lender may use either.
- With a co-borrower, lenders usually go by the lower of the two middle scores.
Minimum score vs. best-rate score
Meeting the minimum gets you approved. A higher score lowers your cost.
| Score range | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Below 580 | Limited options (FHA with 10% down, specialty lenders), higher rates |
| 580-639 | FHA and some conventional options; higher rates and mortgage insurance costs |
| 640-699 | Most programs open; pricing improves as you climb |
| 700-739 | Solid pricing and wide lender choice |
| 740-779 | Strong rates; often the point where pricing tiers improve noticeably |
| 780+ | Best pricing tier on conventional loans |
What a better score is worth
The numbers below are an example, not today’s quoted rates. On a $350,000, 30-year fixed loan:
| Interest rate | Monthly principal + interest | Total over 30 years vs. 6.5% |
|---|---|---|
| 6.5% | about $2,212 | baseline |
| 7.0% | about $2,329 | about $41,900 more |
| 7.5% | about $2,447 | about $84,000 more |
A rate difference of half a percentage point is common between score tiers. Over the loan, it can add up to tens of thousands of dollars.
Want to see your own numbers? Try your estimated rate in our free mortgage calculator and compare what a different rate does to your monthly payment.
Your credit score isn’t the only thing lenders check
Lenders also look at:
- Debt-to-income ratio (DTI): Your monthly debt payments divided by gross monthly income. Limits vary by program, often around 43-50%.
- Down payment: Putting down less than 20% on a conventional loan usually means private mortgage insurance (PMI).
- Income and employment history: Typically two years of steady work history.
- Cash reserves: Especially important for jumbo loans.
A 700 score with high debts can be a tougher approval than a 650 score with low debts and a solid down payment.
Can you get a mortgage with bad credit?
Possibly. Your options if you’re under 620:
- FHA loan: The most common route, with 580 (3.5% down) or 500 (10% down).
- Manual underwriting: Some lenders evaluate your whole file, including rent payment history.
- Non-QM or specialty loans: Possible, but expect higher rates and larger down payments.
- Wait and rebuild: If you’re close to a tier cutoff, a few months of work can lower your cost significantly.
How to raise your credit score before applying
- Check all three credit reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors. Corrections can move a score quickly.
- Pay down credit card balances. Keeping balances well under 30% of limits helps; lower is better.
- Pay every bill on time. Payment history is the biggest factor in your score.
- Don’t open new credit accounts before or during the mortgage process.
- Keep old accounts open. Closing them can shorten your credit history and raise your utilization.
- Ask your lender about a rapid rescore if you’ve paid down balances or fixed an error right before closing.
- Compare lenders within a short window. Mortgage inquiries made close together are generally treated as one for scoring purposes.
Timelines vary: fixing an error or paying down a card can help within a billing cycle or two, while building credit from scratch typically takes six months or more of on-time activity.
Know your payment before you apply
Once you know roughly where your score falls, the next step is the payment. Use our mortgage calculator to test different home prices, down payments and interest rates, so you walk into a lender conversation with real numbers. [ADD: link to your affordability calculator page, if you have one.]
FAQs
What credit score do I need to buy a house?
It depends on the loan type. Conventional loans commonly need 620+, FHA accepts 580 with 3.5% down (or 500 with 10% down), and VA and USDA loans generally need about 620-640 through most lenders.
Can I get a mortgage with a 500 credit score?
Only through limited FHA options, generally with 10% down, and few lenders offer it. Expect higher costs.
Is a 600 credit score good enough for a mortgage?
Yes, for an FHA loan with 3.5% down. A conventional loan at 600 is harder because many lenders still require 620.
What’s the minimum credit score for a conventional loan now?
Fannie Mae removed its 620 minimum for automated underwriting in November 2025, but many lenders keep their own 620 requirement.
What credit score gets the best mortgage rates?
Generally about 740 and up, with the strongest pricing often at 780+.
Do mortgage lenders use FICO or VantageScore?
Both can now be used for conventional loans, though many lenders still rely on FICO. Ask which model your lender uses.
Do I need perfect credit to buy a home?
No. A steady score in the 620-700 range can get you approved. A higher score mainly lowers your cost.
What credit score do I need for a mortgage with no down payment?
VA and USDA are the main no-down-payment programs. Lenders usually look for about 620 (VA) and 640 (USDA).
Does checking my own credit hurt my score?
No. Checking your own reports doesn’t affect your score. A lender’s hard inquiry can cause a small, temporary dip.
How many points can my score drop when I apply?
Usually only a few, and mortgage shopping within a short window is generally treated as a single inquiry.
This article is for general information only and isn’t financial advice. Requirements and rates change, so confirm current terms with a licensed lender.