Basics

Good vs. excellent: what's the gap?

The jump from 'good' to 'excellent' is smaller than you think — and worth real money.

AL
Amara Lewis
Credit educator · Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read

Credit tiers aren't just labels — lenders price loans off them. Understanding the bands tells you what to aim for and why it pays off.

The bands

Roughly: Fair is 580–669, Good is 670–739, Very Good is 740–799, and Excellent is 800+. The gap between Good and Excellent is about 130 points — but it can mean a full percentage point off a mortgage rate.

Worth it
On a $300k mortgage, moving from Good to Excellent can save tens of thousands over the life of the loan.
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How to close the gap

The move from Good to Excellent is almost entirely about two things: a spotless payment record and very low utilization. Time does the rest.

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Educational content only, not financial or credit-repair advice. Clear View Credit does not guarantee any score improvement. © 2026 Clear View Credit, Inc.