641 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025

Who Has a 641 Credit Score?

Credit scores tend to increase with age, as older consumers have had more time to build a positive payment history. According to 2023 Experian data, here is the breakdown of average FICO scores by generation:

• Generation Z (ages 18-26): 680 (Good)
• Millennials (ages 27-42): 690 (Good)
• Generation X (ages 43-58): 709 (Good)
• Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): 745 (Good)
• Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760 (Very Good)

Credit Cards With a 641 Credit Score

A credit score of 641 places you in the "fair" credit range, meaning you'll likely be able to qualify for a credit card, though your options may be somewhat limited. Lenders may approve you for unsecured cards designed for building credit, but you might not meet the requirements for premium cards with the best rewards and perks. Consequently, the terms you're offered, such as higher interest rates and lower credit limits, will reflect the increased risk perceived by creditors.

‍

Kudos can help you find the right credit card for your financial situation with its AI-powered tools, which provide personalized recommendations based on your specific needs or actual spending habits. These tools sift through nearly 3,000 cards to find the best match, offering insights into how a new card might impact your credit score and whether an annual fee is truly worth it for you.

Auto Loans and a 641 Credit Score

With a 641 credit score, you fall into the non-prime borrower category, which means you'll likely be approved for an auto loan. However, this score will result in higher interest rates compared to applicants with stronger credit histories.

• Super-prime (781-850): 5.25% for new cars, 7.13% for used cars
• Prime (661-780): 6.87% for new cars, 9.36% for used cars
• Non-prime (601-660): 9.83% for new cars, 13.92% for used cars
• Subprime (501-600): 13.18% for new cars, 18.86% for used cars
• Deep subprime (300-500): 15.77% for new cars, 21.55% for used cars

These rates are based on Experian's Q2 2025 data.

Mortgages at a 641 Credit Score

A 641 credit score is sufficient to qualify for several major home loans. You'll likely meet the minimum criteria for conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA mortgages, giving you access to both government-backed and traditional financing. This score, however, is generally not high enough to secure a jumbo loan, which has stricter requirements.

While you can get approved, your 641 score will affect the loan's terms. Lenders will likely offer you higher interest rates and more expensive private mortgage insurance (PMI) than they would for borrowers with stronger credit. Mortgage requirements show that you'll also have less leverage to negotiate favorable terms or closing cost credits.

What's in a Credit Score?

Understanding your credit score can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, as it's a blend of several key financial habits. The most common factors that determine your score include:

• Your payment history tracks whether you have paid past credit accounts on time.
• Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you are currently using.
• The length of your credit history considers the age of your oldest account and the average age of all your accounts.
• Credit mix refers to the variety of credit products you have, such as credit cards, retail accounts, and loans.
• New credit inquiries and recently opened accounts can also temporarily impact your score.

How to Improve Your 641 Credit Score

No matter your current standing, it is always possible to improve your credit score with consistent effort and the right strategy. There are several proven methods you can use to boost your creditworthiness and build a healthier financial profile.

• Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports helps you spot and dispute inaccuracies that could be unfairly lowering your score. Correcting these errors is one of the most direct ways to see a positive change.
• Set up automatic bill payments. Since payment history is the most significant factor in your score, ensuring every bill is paid on time is crucial for improvement. This builds a positive track record and demonstrates reliability to lenders.
• Reduce your credit utilization ratio. High balances on credit cards can signal risk and drag down a 641 score. Keeping your total balance below 30% of your total credit limit shows you can manage credit responsibly.
• Become an authorized user. Being added to a trusted friend or family member's credit card account can add their positive payment history to your report. This can be an effective way to improve your score, assuming the primary account holder has good credit habits.

To help you on your journey, Kudos offers a free AI-powered browser extension and a data-driven card explorer tool to maximize your rewards while building credit.