What Credit Score Do You Need for a Personal Loan? - NerdWallet (2024)

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Credit score requirements for personal loans vary across lenders. Many give preference to borrowers with good or excellent credit scores (690 and above), but some lenders accept borrowers with bad credit (a score below 630).

The typical minimum credit score to qualify for a personal loan is 560 to 660, according to lenders surveyed by NerdWallet. Some lenders may require a higher score.

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A high credit score doesn’t guarantee you’ll qualify or get a low interest rate. Qualifying rests largely on your creditworthiness, which is usually a combination of your credit history and score, in addition to income and debt. Use this calculator to learn what loan options you may have based on your credit score.

» MORE: Compare the best personal loans

What you need to qualify for a personal loan

Just because you meet a lender’s minimum credit score requirement doesn’t mean you’ll qualify for a loan.

Lenders have a range of criteria they consider on an application. Some look at alternative data, like where you went to college and what field you work in. Others look mostly at your credit report and history, along with your income and debts.

» MORE: Requirements for a personal loan

Here’s what most lenders look at on a personal loan application:

  • Credit score: Many lenders look at the FICO credit scoring model, but some use VantageScore. Other lenders say they use many data points to determine approval, which may include a FICO or VantageScore.

  • Credit history: Lenders like to see a long credit history on a loan application. A lender may say it requires a minimum of two or three years of credit history, but longer is typically better. More accounts throughout your credit history shows a lender how diligently you’ve made payments. Borrowers with multiple credit cards, a mortgage, or an auto loan showing regular on-time payments may be more likely to qualify.

  • Debt-to-income ratio: Lenders seek borrowers who make enough money to meet their current monthly financial obligations, plus loan payments. Many use your debt-to-income ratio to see whether another loan would overextend your finances.

  • Free cash flow: Your debt-to-income ratio doesn’t account for expenses like gas, groceries and rent, so some lenders look at bank account transactions to see how much money borrowers have left after other expenses. Lenders call this “free cash flow,” and the more of it you have, the more confident a lender may feel approving your application.

» MORE: Boost your chances of getting a loan

Personal loans for fair or bad credit

Though lenders consider multiple factors on a loan application, your credit score is often given a lot of weight.

Borrowers with fair or bad credit often qualify for high rates, which can be up to 36%. A low credit score could also be the reason a lender approves you for a small loan amount.

Lenders that offer fair-credit loans may look beyond your credit score to make a loan decision. Credit unions, for example, look at a member’s standing with the credit union and other factors on an application.

Tips to build your credit

If you have time to build your credit before applying, you may improve your chance of qualifying for a personal loan at a low rate. Your credit score won't go from poor to good overnight, but the following tips can help.

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1. Make payments on time

Credit card and loan payments that are more than 30 days past due can cause your credit score to drop by up to 100 points. Consider setting up automatic payments or due date reminders to ensure you won’t miss payments on your current debts. If the payment date doesn’t work with your budget, ask your creditors to change it.

2. Dispute credit reporting errors

Review your credit reports from each of the three credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian and TransUnion – to see if there are any errors, like incorrect account balances or accounts you don’t recognize that may be dragging your score down. Dispute any mistakes online, by mail or by phone. You can get weekly credit reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com.

3. Decrease your credit utilization

Your credit utilization ratio is the percentage of your available revolving credit that you’ve spent. Try to keep this number below 30%. If it's higher, take time to pay down your credit card balances and other credit lines. Asking for a credit limit increase can also lower your credit utilization.

» MORE: How does a personal loan affect your credit score

How to compare personal loans

Check annual percentage rates. The APR is the total cost of the loan, including interest and fees. APR provides an apples-to-apples cost comparison across personal loans and other financing options.

Pre-qualify for multiple loans. Many lenders let you pre-qualify to preview your potential rate and monthly payments before applying for a loan. Pre-qualifying won’t affect your credit score and can help you decide which personal loan fits your budget and borrowing needs.

Consider other loan types. Adding a co-borrower or collateral to your application may help you qualify or get a lower rate, but not all lenders offer co-signed, joint or secured loans. Most lenders only advertise unsecured loans, but may include information about other loan types in their website’s FAQ or blog section.

» MORE: Best secured personal loans

Weigh other features. Lenders may include perks like auto-pay discounts or hardship assistance programs. If you have two affordable loan offers, compare other features that may be helpful for your plans.

What Credit Score Do You Need for a Personal Loan? - NerdWallet (2024)

FAQs

What is the minimum credit score for a personal loan? ›

Payment history is weighed the most heavily in determining your credit score, along with your total outstanding debt. Generally, borrowers need a credit score of at least 610 to 640 to even qualify for a personal loan.

Can I get a personal loan with a 600 credit score? ›

You aren't likely to get a lender's best rates on a personal loan without a good credit score, but a FICO score of 600 should allow you to qualify for one.

What credit score is needed for a $35000 personal loan? ›

What credit score do you need for a $35,000 loan? Some personal loan lenders require good or excellent credit with a minimum score requirement of 660. However, other lenders work with borrowers who have fair or poor credit.

What credit score is needed for a $10,000 loan? ›

To increase your chance of qualifying for a $10,000 unsecured loan, you should have a credit score of 600 or higher. Some lenders start their minimum credit score requirements at 600, however, there are some lenders that require a credit score in the high 600s or low 700s.

How hard is it to get a $30,000 personal loan? ›

In general, lenders extend $30,000 loans to borrowers with good to excellent credit, which is typically 670 and higher. But there may be lenders who lend to borrowers with bad credit. If you're having difficulty qualifying, you may consider getting a cosigner or co-borrower to help you get approved for the loan.

Can I get a $5000 personal loan with bad credit? ›

Yes, you can get a $5,000 loan with bad credit if you have enough income to afford the monthly payments, but the loan is likely to have a high interest rate. Several lenders offer $5,000 personal loans for people with credit scores under 640, and a few may not even require a credit check at all.

What credit score do you need for a $20000 personal loan? ›

Requirements for a $20,000 Personal Loan

This means they'll want to see your credit score, income level and DTI ratio. Requirements vary by lender, but most lenders require borrowers to have a credit score in the good to excellent range — meaning a score of at least 670.

What FICO score is used for personal loans? ›

For other types of credit, such as personal loans, student loans and retail credit, you'll likely want to know your FICO® Score 8, which is the score most widely used by lenders.

How big of a loan can I get with a 650 credit score? ›

You can borrow as much as $40,000 - $100,000+ with a 650 credit score. The exact amount of money you will get depends on other factors besides your credit score, such as your income, your employment status, the type of loan you get, and even the lender.

What is the easiest loan to get approved for? ›

Some of the easiest loans to get approved for if you have bad credit include payday loans, no-credit-check loans, and pawnshop loans. Personal loans with essentially no approval requirements typically charge the highest interest rates and loan fees.

What is the minimum credit score for LendingTree? ›

You can check your credit score for free with LendingTree Spring — without impacting your credit. While credit scores range from 300 to 850, the minimum credit score for a personal loan is typically 580. However, borrowers with scores of 640 or higher tend to get better loan rates and terms.

What is the monthly payment on a $35000 personal loan? ›

The monthly payment on a $35,000 personal loan varies based on the interest rate and repayment term. For example, qualifying for 7.99% APR for 24 months on a $35,000 loan would leave you paying $1,582.80 per month for two years.

How much is a $10,000 loan for 5 years? ›

Advertising Disclosures
Loan AmountLoan Term (Years)Estimated Fixed Monthly Payment*
$10,0005$207.54
$15,0003$463.09
$15,0005$313.13
$20,0003$617.45
13 more rows

What credit score is needed for a $300000 loan? ›

You can buy a $300,000 house with only $9,000 down when using a conventional mortgage, which is the lowest down payment permitted, unless you qualify for a zero-down-payment VA or USDA loan. Different lenders have different rules, but typically they require a 620 credit score for conventional loan approval.

What credit score do I need for a $500000 loan? ›

For a conventional loan, often backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, a minimum score of 620 is typically required. It's important to remember that while lenders have minimum credit score requirements, having a higher score can improve your chances of getting a better mortgage deal.

Can I get a personal loan with a 500 credit score? ›

Lenders may accept borrowers with a 500 credit score but expect you to meet additional criteria, such as a minimum income or employment history. Look into fees and interest rates. Ask about fees and interest rates you might pay if you get a loan.

Can I get a personal loan with a 580 credit score? ›

People with fair credit scores between 580 and 669 can still qualify for personal loans from certain lenders. Credit unions may offer the best eligibility criteria and rates.

What credit score do I need to get a $25,000 loan? ›

Typically, a desirable credit score for a $25,000 personal loan is around 670 and above, but some lenders work with those who have scores from 580 and up.

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