People often ask for “the number” they need. It would make life simple, but a single number does not exist.
This guide shows the real bands for one major bureau, explains why scales differ, and tells you what lenders do with your score.
What counts as a good credit score at TransUnion?
TransUnion publishes the bands for its consumer credit score, which runs from 0 to 999:
| Band | Score |
|---|---|
| Excellent | 767 to 999 |
| Good | 681 to 766 |
| Favourable | 614 to 680 |
| Average | 583 to 613 |
| Below average | 527 to 582 |
| Unfavourable | 487 to 526 |
| Poor | 0 to 486 |
So on this scale a good credit score starts at 681, and the top band starts at 767. These bands are set by TransUnion, and other bureaus use different models and scales. Check the band chart on your own report.
Why is there no single good number?
Credit bureaus build their own scores. They have different data, different models and different scales. A higher number is better at each bureau, but 650 at one is not the same as 650 at another.
That is why you should read the bureau’s own labels, such as poor, fair, good or excellent, instead of comparing numbers across bureaus.
How do you read your score?
- Find the scale. The bureau shows the minimum, the maximum and what each band means.
- Look at the band label. “Good” or higher is the aim.
- Read the report. The reasons behind the score show what to fix.
- Track the trend. Compare the same bureau every few months.
Our guide to checking your credit score explains where to find yours.
What do lenders do with a good credit score?
| Lender behaviour | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Uses a cut-off | Below a certain band you may be declined by that lender |
| Prices by risk | A lower band can bring a higher rate, within legal caps |
| Combines with affordability | Even a good score does not guarantee approval |
| Uses its own model | Some lenders blend the bureau score with their own |
A good score helps, but it is one input. Under the National Credit Act, lenders must also assess whether you can afford the loan.
What is a realistic target?
Aim for the “good” band or above at the bureau you check, supported by:
- No missed payments in recent months.
- Balances that are low compared with limits.
- Few recent applications.
- An old history of accounts managed well.
Perfection is not needed. A steady record is.
How does a good credit score help you?
- Easier approval for credit.
- Lower prices where risk-based pricing applies.
- Better deals on contracts, such as phones and vehicle finance.
It does not remove the need to read the quote and check affordability. See loan affordability.
What if your score is not good?
Do not treat it as permanent. A score reflects history that can improve. Start with the basics: pay on time, correct errors and avoid unneeded credit.
Read how to improve your credit score and how credit scoring works.
How far are you from the next band?
A good credit score is a moving target, so it helps to know the gap. Using the TransUnion bands, here is how many points you need to reach the next band from a few starting points.
| Your score | Next band starts at | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 600 (Average) | 614 (Favourable) | 14 points |
| 650 (Favourable) | 681 (Good) | 31 points |
| 700 (Good) | 767 (Excellent) | 67 points |
The gap is simple subtraction, but it puts the goal in perspective. Moving up one band is usually realistic within months of careful habits. Reaching the top band can take longer, and you do not need it to borrow well.
What gets you to a good credit score?
Chasing a number leads to bad decisions, such as opening accounts you do not need. Chase the behaviours that produce it:
| Habit | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Pay on time, every time | Payment history carries the most weight |
| Keep balances low | Low use of your limits looks safer |
| Apply rarely | Fewer enquiries on your record |
| Keep old accounts in good standing | A longer history helps |
| Check for errors | Wrong entries drag a score down |
Most people who reach a good credit score get there by doing these dull things for a year or two, not by finding a trick.
How should you read a score that is close to a band edge?
If you are at 679 and the “good” band starts at 681, you are not far off. A single new enquiry or a higher card balance could move you either way within the band.
So do not celebrate a score at the top of a band, and do not despair at the bottom of one. Look at the trend over several months.
A score that rises from 650 to 680 over a year is a healthier sign than one that jumps and falls.
What should a good credit score not make you do?
A better score is useful, but it is not a reason to borrow more. A good record gives you choice and better prices. It does not change what you can afford.
Before you take any credit, whatever your band, check the affordability of the repayment against your budget. Our guide to loan affordability shows how, and how credit scoring works explains what moves the number.
How does a good credit score fit with the rest of your finances?
A good credit score measures how you handle borrowed money. It does not measure how safe your finances are overall.
Someone with an excellent score and no savings is one emergency away from borrowing. Someone with a modest score and three months of essentials in the bank is much more resilient.
So pair a good credit score with an emergency fund and a budget you can keep to. See how to budget. The score opens doors. The savings stop you from needing to walk through them in a hurry.
If you have to choose between topping up an emergency fund and chasing another 20 points on your score, the fund usually does more for you.
A good credit score is a tool, not a goal in itself, and the best use of it is paying less when you really do need to borrow.
Frequently asked questions
What score do I need for a loan?
It depends on the lender and the type of loan. Lenders also check affordability.
Can I have a good score and still be declined?
Yes. Affordability, income and the lender’s rules also matter.
Why is my score different at each bureau?
Each bureau has different data and its own scoring model.
Is a score of zero bad?
Not always. It may mean there is not enough history. See building credit.
How many points is a good credit score?
On TransUnion’s 0 to 999 scale, 681 to 766 is the good band. Other bureaus use different scales, so use the labels on your own report.
Can I reach a good credit score quickly?
Some changes, like lowering balances, can help within weeks. A damaged record takes months of steady payments to improve.
One free 5-minute form is sent to NCR-registered lenders. Each lender decides for itself and shows you the full cost before you sign.
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