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 Credit Score Do You Need for a Personal Loan? - NerdWallet? ›

Here is a list of our partners and here's how we make money. The typical minimum credit score needed to qualify for a personal loan is from 560 to 660, according to lenders surveyed by NerdWallet, but credit score requirements for personal loans vary across lenders and some may require a higher score.

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. To qualify for a lender's lowest interest rate, borrowers typically need a score of at least 800.

What credit rating do I need to get a personal loan? ›

Typically, the minimum credit score required for most credit providers to begin considering your personal loan application is 550. Anything below that is considered a poor credit score, and this can put your chances of loan approval very much in the danger zone.

What should be the credit score for personal loan? ›

Ideal credit score to avail a personal loan

The minimum CIBIL score for a personal loan is between 720 and 750. Having this score means you are creditworthy, and lenders will approve your personal loan application quickly. They may also offer you your chosen loan amount at a nominal interest.

What credit score does NerdWallet use? ›

How does NerdWallet get my free credit report and score? NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your TransUnion® credit report. Using the data in your credit report, it also provides your VantageScore® 3.0 credit score. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly.

Can I get a personal loan if I have a bad credit score? ›

There are personal loans specifically designed for people with poor credit histories. Lenders offering these types of loans tend to charge higher rates of interest because they're taking on a bigger risk with the people they're lending to.

Can I get a personal loan if my credit score is bad? ›

If you have received an increase in your salary or have an additional source of income, a lender may consider your application for a personal loan even if you have a low credit score.

Who is the easiest to get a personal loan from? ›

Easiest personal loans to get
  • Best for bad credit: Avant Personal Loans.
  • Best for flexible terms: OneMain Financial Personal Loans.
  • Best for no credit history: Upstart Personal Loans.
  • Best for fast approval: LendingPoint Personal Loans.
  • Best for small loan amounts: Oportun.

What credit score is needed for a $13,000 loan? ›

Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 640 – 650. However, some borrowers may be able to qualify for a higher interest rate personal loan with a lower score. To get a better interest rate, you'll probably need a FICO® Score of 670 or higher.

What credit score is needed for a $20,000 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 is a perfect personal credit score? ›

A perfect credit score of 850 is hard to get, but an excellent credit score is more achievable. If you want to get the best credit cards, mortgages and competitive loan rates — which can save you money over time — excellent credit can help you qualify. “Excellent” is the highest tier of credit scores you can have.

What credit score do I need for a $10000 personal loan? ›

Requirements for a $10,000 Personal Loan

Requirements will vary across lenders. However, qualifying for a $10,000 personal loan typically requires a credit score that exceeds 640, an active checking account, and a steady, verifiable income, among other factors.

What is the minimum Equifax score for personal loan? ›

No lender specifies a minimum CIBIL score requirement for a personal loan application. However, a score of 750 and above is preferred by lenders for loan applications. This score reflects the creditworthiness of the borrower and the chances of lenders approving the loan application with this score increases.

Is NerdWallet safe for loans? ›

Yes, NerdWallet is safe. NerdWallet supports multi-factor authentication (MFA) in addition to other industry-standard security controls. It encrypts your financial data (128-bit encryption) for enhanced safety.

Does NerdWallet give an accurate credit score? ›

NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® free credit report. Your score and credit report information is updated weekly. Note that lenders may make their approval decisions using a different credit scoring model or data source.

How can I raise my credit score 100 points in 30 days? ›

For most people, increasing a credit score by 100 points in a month isn't going to happen. But if you pay your bills on time, eliminate your consumer debt, don't run large balances on your cards and maintain a mix of both consumer and secured borrowing, an increase in your credit could happen within months.

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

Yes, you can get a personal loan with a 600 credit score — there are even lenders that specialize in offering fair credit personal loans. But keep in mind that if you have a credit score between 580 and 669, you'll generally be considered a “subprime” borrower — meaning lenders might see you as a more risky investment.

What credit score do I need for a $5000 loan? ›

Requirements for a $5,000 loan vary by lender. But in general, you should have at least Fair credit, which is a score of 580 or above. Lenders may also look at other factors, such as your income and your debt-to-income ratio (DTI), during the application process.

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.

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

With fair credit, you still have personal loan options, though some can be pricey. We've found the top personal loan companies offering beneficial rates and terms for applicants with credit scores between 580 and 669 – including picks for great service, low fees and flexibility.

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