What Credit Score You Actually Need to Get a Credit Card

Most credit cards want a score of 580 or higher, but the exact number depends on the card type

There is no single credit score requirement that applies to all credit cards. Banks and card issuers set their own minimums, and those minimums vary widely based on what kind of card they are offering. A rewards card from a major bank might require a score of 670 or above, while a card designed for people rebuilding credit might accept scores as low as 500. The score you need also depends on other factors the issuer looks at — your income, your debt load, and your payment history — so even two people with the same score might get different results.

The most useful way to think about this is in ranges. Cards fall into rough categories, and each category targets a different score range. Knowing which category fits your situation tells you where to look and what to expect when you apply.

Key Takeaways

• Premium rewards cards typically require a score of 670 or higher, while basic cards from major banks usually want 620 to 660.
• Cards designed for people rebuilding credit often accept scores between 500 and 600, though they usually charge an annual fee.
• Secured credit cards — where you put down a cash deposit — have no minimum score requirement and are the easiest option if you have poor or no credit history.
• Applying for multiple cards in a short time can lower your score temporarily, so research which cards match your score range before you submit applications.
• Your actual approval odds depend on income, existing debt, and recent payment history, not just your score alone.

Premium cards and rewards cards need higher scores

If you are looking at a card that offers cash back, travel points, or other rewards, expect the issuer to want a score of 670 or above. Some premium cards — the ones with high annual fees and extensive benefits — may want 750 or higher. These cards are profitable for the issuer only if the cardholder uses them regularly and pays the balance on time, so issuers are selective about who they approve.

Cards in this category include most offerings from Chase, American Express, Citi, and Bank of America. If you have checked your score and it is below 670, applying for these cards will likely result in a denial. A denial also creates a hard inquiry on your credit report, which can lower your score by a few points temporarily.

Standard cards from major banks usually want 620 to 660

Most basic credit cards — the ones without rewards or with minimal rewards — sit in the middle range. Issuers like Capital One, Discover, and the major banks typically want to see a score between 620 and 660 for their standard offerings. These cards have lower annual fees (often none) and less generous rewards, so the issuer is willing to take on slightly more risk.

If your score is in this range, you have a reasonable chance of approval from a standard card issuer. You may not get the best terms — the interest rate might be higher than what someone with a 750 score would receive — but you will have options. Discover and Capital One both publish their score ranges publicly, which makes them useful starting points if you are unsure where you stand.

Cards for rebuilding credit accept lower scores

If your score is between 500 and 620, look for cards specifically marketed as "credit builder" or "for fair credit." Issuers like Capital One, Secured Credit Card from Discover, and Chime offer cards in this range. These cards are designed for people who are rebuilding after missed payments, collections, or a thin credit history.

The trade-off is that these cards almost always charge an annual fee — typically $39 to $99 per year — and offer no rewards. The interest rate is also higher than you would pay with a better score. But the real purpose of these cards is not to earn rewards; it is to demonstrate that you can use credit responsibly. If you make small purchases and pay them off in full each month, your score will improve over time, and you will become may be able to access for better cards within 12 to 24 months.

Secured cards have no score requirement

A secured credit card is the easiest path if your score is very low or you have no credit history at all. With a secured card, you put down a cash deposit — usually $200 to $2,500 — and that deposit becomes your credit limit. You then use the card like any other card, and the issuer reports your payments to the credit bureaus.

Secured cards have no minimum score requirement because the issuer's risk is minimal: if you do not pay, they keep your deposit. Banks like Capital One, Discover, and U.S. Bank all offer secured cards. After 6 to 18 months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert your secured card to a regular unsecured card and return your deposit. This is the most reliable way to build credit from a very low starting point.

What happens when you apply and your score is borderline

If your score is close to a card's minimum — say you have 615 and the card wants 620 — you might still be approved. Issuers look at more than just your score. They also consider your income, how much debt you already carry, how long you have had credit accounts open, and whether you have recent late payments. Someone with a 615 score but stable income and no recent missed payments might be approved, while someone with a 625 score and recent collections might be denied.

The only way to know is to apply. But before you do, check whether the issuer publishes their score range. Discover and Capital One are transparent about this; many others are not. If you apply and are denied, you will receive a letter explaining the reason — it might say "credit score too low" or "too much existing debt" or something else. That letter tells you whether to try a different card or whether you need to work on your score first.

How to find out what score range a card wants

Start by checking the card issuer's website. Some banks publish their minimum score requirement directly; others do not. If the website does not say, call the customer service number on the back of a statement or on the website and ask. Be specific: "What credit score range do you typically approve for this card?" You will not always get a direct answer, but you might get a sense of whether your score is in the ballpark.

You can also look at third-party card comparison sites like NerdWallet, The Points Guy, or Bankrate. These sites often list the typical score range for each card based on data from people who have applied. These ranges are not guarantees, but they give you a realistic picture of where to start looking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will applying for a credit card hurt my score?

Yes, but only temporarily. When you apply, the issuer does a hard inquiry, which lowers your score by a few points — usually 5 to 10 points. This dip fades after a few months. The bigger risk is applying for many cards in a short time, which signals to lenders that you are desperate for credit. Space out applications by at least a few weeks if you are applying to multiple cards.

Can I get a credit card with no credit history at all?

Yes. A secured card is your best option. You will need to provide a deposit, but there is no score requirement because you have no score yet. After using the secured card responsibly for 6 to 18 months, you can move to an unsecured card. Some issuers also offer cards to people with no credit history if you have a steady income and a bank account with them.

What if I was denied for a card?

Read the denial letter carefully — it will tell you why. If the reason was your score, wait a few months, work on paying down debt or fixing errors on your credit report, and try again. If the reason was too much existing debt or recent late payments, those issues matter more than your score. Focus on those first before applying again.

Does my score have to be exactly at the minimum to get approved?

No. Your score is one factor among several. Income, existing debt, and recent payment history all matter. Someone with a score just below the stated minimum might be approved if their income is high and they have no recent missed payments. The only way to know is to apply.

How long does it take to improve my score enough to may have access to for a better card?

It depends on what is dragging your score down. If you have recent late payments, those hurt most and take the longest to recover from — typically 6 to 12 months of on-time payments before you see real improvement. If your score is low because you have high credit card balances, paying those down can improve your score within a month or two. Using a secured card or credit builder card for 12 to 24 months of perfect payments usually moves you into the range for standard cards.