What a 677 Credit Score Really Means—And How to Level Up
A 677 credit score isn’t bad. But it isn’t great either. In the world of credit scoring, anything from a 660 to a 699 lands you in the “fair-to-good range. That means that a 677 credit score is almost there, but not quite. You’ll probably get approved for loans and credit cards, but the interest rates won’t be the best. So the question is: What can you do right now to move your 677 score closer to 720? Let’s break it down.
Is 677 a Good Credit Score?
A 677 credit score is just below the U.S. national average, which hovers around 690 to 715 depending on the scoring model used. Though every lender is different, here is a general breakdown of credit categories:
| If you have a … | Then… |
| 720 or above | You have great credit and will qualify for loans and interest rates reserved for borrowers in the highest echelon. |
| 700 – 719 | You have excellent credit and are considered low risk, but you might not qualify for the best loans and your interest rates might drop if you raised your score a few extra points. |
| 660 – 699 | You have fair to good credit. You might qualify for a strong loan but only if the rest of your application is strong. The majority of you won’t receive the best loans or the lowest interest rates, and you might be turned down for certain loans. |
| 620 – 659 | You have weak to borderline credit. The rest of your file will need to be perfect to qualify for an acceptable loan. You will pay higher interest rates and your loan terms will be less than ideal (if you are able to qualify at all). |
| Below 620 | You have poor credit. Your loan terms will be far from ideal. You pay the highest interest rates (if you are able to qualify at all). The lower your score, the worse your terms. |
In most cases, if you have a 677 credit score, or anywhere in the 669-699 range:
- You can qualify for credit cards, but you won’t get the best rewards or lowest rates.
- You may be approved for a car loan or personal loan, but your payments will be higher.
- If you’re buying a home, a 677 score could cost you thousands more in interest over time.
The good news? With a few strategic moves, that 660-699 credit score can rise fast.
How to Go from a 677 Credit Score to 720 … Fast
Credit scores aren’t permanent. They change all the time based on your financial behavior, and small actions can add up quickly. We have put more than 100,000 people through our credit-education program, 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, and here are three steps we’ve seen work again and again.
1. Fix High-Priority Credit Report Errors
If your credit score is stuck in the 660-699 range, there’s a good chance that at least one negative item is dragging it down unnecessarily. In fact, industry experts say that between 34 and 70 percent of credit reports currently contain at least one high-priority error. And about 10 percent are serious violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Some examples of high-priority errors include:
- Accounts that don’t belong to you
- Late payments reported inaccurately
- Accounts discharged in bankruptcy still showing balances
One correction like this can lead to a jump of 50 points or more.
That said, here’s something we need to be clear about: Don’t dispute everything.
We get it. It’s tempting to try and clear out anything negative. But if the info is accurate, it’s better to leave it alone. The credit bureaus are not going to reward you for disputing something that’s true. If anything, it just slows things down and distracts you from what really matters.
What you want to do is focus on high-priority mistakes, the stuff that doesn’t belong on your report or is legally wrong. That’s where you’ll see real progress. If you’d like to learn more about spotting and correcting high-priority errors, join 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, our free online credit-education program.
When you enroll in the Credit Rebuilder Program, you’ll get a free review of your credit report. Our team will help you spot and correct high-priority errors. And if any of them are in violation of the Fair Credit Reporting Act, you’ll receive free legal counsel (and you might even receive financial compensation).
2. Add New, Positive Payment History
One of the most important parts of your credit score is your payment history. Credit bureaus want to see that you can handle credit now, not just in the past. They’re not as interested in what you used to do five or ten years ago. They want fresh proof that you’re responsible with credit today.
If you are stuck at a 677 credit score, it may be because you don’t have enough active, on-time payment history showing up on your credit reports. And the only way to fix that is to start building new history with accounts that report to all three credit bureaus.
To see your score grow, you need a strong credit mix. That means having:
- Three credit cards. (Here is a list of credit cards that will likely approve people with poor to fair credit scores.)
- One installment account (a loan or payment plan with a fixed end date).
If you don’t already have that mix, focus on adding the accounts you’re missing. Here is a list of credit cards that will likely approve people with poor to fair credit scores. And you can open a low-cost installment account through the Credit Rebuilder Program.
If you’ve been through a bankruptcy, the advice shifts a bit. In the eyes of the credit bureaus, you’re starting from scratch. That means you’ll need to open three new credit cards and one new installment account after your bankruptcy, even if you had five credit cards and two loans before.
Why? Because once those old accounts are included in the bankruptcy, they no longer count toward your score. That history is closed off. The credit-scoring bureaus want to see how you manage credit after the bankruptcy. They’re looking for signs that the bankruptcy helped you reset and build better habits. And the only way to show that is by opening new accounts and using them responsibly.
Join 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score, our free online credit-education program.
3. Keep Your Credit Utilization Low
Now let’s talk about how to manage those three credit card accounts. The credit-scoring bureaus respond best when you keep your utilization rate low. That’s the balance you carry as a percentage of your credit limit, and it’s a big factor in your score.
The rule of thumb is this: Try to never use more than 30 percent of your available credit on any one card. If your limit is $3,000, that means keeping your balance under $900.
Even better? Stay under 10 percent ($300).
Why does this matter? Because a high balance, like $2,900 on a $3,000 limit, tells the bureaus you might be overextended or relying on credit to stay afloat. A low balance, on the other hand, signals that you’re managing your money well and not using credit for everyday expenses.
You’re Closer Than You Think
If your credit score is sitting at 677, you’re not in bad shape, you’re just not quite where you want to be. A few smart moves can make a big difference.
In summary: Fix the errors that are actually hurting you. Add the kind of accounts the credit bureaus want to see. Keep your balances low so it’s clear you’re in control.
If you want step-by-step guidance, you can always start with 7 Steps to a 720 Credit Score. It’s free, and it’s helped a lot of people who were right where you are now.
And if you’re ready for more hands-on support, the Credit Rebuilder Program includes a free credit report review, monthly reporting to the credit bureaus, and help spotting errors that could be costing you points.
