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668 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025
TL;DR
A 668 credit score is a solid starting point on your financial journey, putting you on the cusp of good credit. This score falls into the 'Fair' category according to the FICO model, which means you have a great foundation to build upon for better financial products.
What Does a 668 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 668 lands you in the "fair" category on the FICO scale. While not a poor score, it sits just below the "good" threshold, which typically begins at 670. This means you can generally get approved for credit, but you may not receive the most competitive interest rates. Lenders might see you as a moderate risk, potentially leading to higher borrowing costs on loans or credit cards.
Think of a 668 score as a solid foundation. You're on the cusp of the "good" credit range, putting you in a promising position to build a stronger financial future. While there's room for growth, having a fair score means you have a base to work from. Improving your score can unlock more favorable lending terms and greater financial flexibility down the road.
Who Has a 668 Credit Score?
Credit scores generally improve as people get older, a trend tied to factors like a longer credit history and more experience managing debt. Based on 2023 Experian data, here is the breakdown of average FICO scores by generation:
- Generation Z (ages 18-26): 680
- Millennials (ages 27-42): 690
- Generation X (ages 43-58): 709
- Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): 745
- Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760
Credit Cards With a 668 Credit Score
A credit score of 668 places you in the "fair" credit range, which can be a mixed bag when applying for new credit cards. While you'll likely be approved for a variety of cards, you may not qualify for the most premium options that offer top-tier rewards and the lowest interest rates. Lenders might also offer you a lower credit limit and a higher APR than they would for applicants with "good" or "excellent" credit.
Kudos can help you find the right card for your financial situation with its AI-powered Explore Tool, which matches your preferences for things like low interest rates or rewards to its database of nearly 3,000 cards. The recommendations are personalized and unbiased, helping you find a card that aligns with your spending habits and financial goals.
Auto Loans and a 668 Credit Score
A 668 credit score places you in the 'prime' borrower category, meaning you have a strong chance of being approved for an auto loan. While you can expect to receive competitive interest rates, they won't be the absolute lowest available, which are typically reserved for those with super-prime credit.
According to 2025 market analysis, here are the average auto loan rates broken down by credit score:
- Super-prime (781-850): 5.25% for new cars and 7.13% for used cars
- Prime (661-780): 6.87% for new cars and 9.36% for used cars
- Non-prime (601-660): 9.83% for new cars and 13.92% for used cars
- Subprime (501-600): 13.18% for new cars and 18.86% for used cars
- Deep subprime (300-500): 15.77% for new cars and 21.55% for used cars
Mortgages at a 668 Credit Score
A 668 credit score is generally high enough to qualify for several major mortgage types. You will likely meet the minimum requirements for conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. According to a Kudos mortgage guide, this score puts you above the basic threshold for most mainstream options, though it is typically below the 700+ requirement for a jumbo loan.
While you can get approved, your 668 score will directly impact your loan terms. You will not secure the most competitive interest rates, which lenders reserve for applicants with excellent credit scores of 740 or higher. You can also expect to pay more for Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) on a conventional loan if your down payment is less than 20%.
What's in a Credit Score?
Figuring out what goes into your credit score can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, but it generally boils down to a handful of key factors.
Your payment history tracks whether you've paid past credit accounts on time.
Credit utilization is the percentage of your available credit that you're currently using.
The length of your credit history considers the age of your oldest account, newest 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, installment loans, and mortgages.
New credit accounts for how many new accounts you've recently opened and the number of hard inquiries on your report.
How to Improve Your 668 Credit Score
A 668 credit score is a solid foundation, and with consistent effort, it is entirely possible to improve it. Taking the right steps can boost your creditworthiness and help you achieve a healthier financial profile.
- Set up automatic bill payments. This ensures you never miss a due date, which is crucial since payment history is the single most significant factor in your credit score. Consistently paying on time is one of the fastest ways to see positive changes from a 668 score.
- Reduce your credit utilization ratio. Aim to use less than 30% of your available credit, as this is the second most important factor in your score. For a 668 score, paying down balances can provide a significant and relatively quick boost.
- Regularly monitor your credit reports. This allows you to spot and dispute any inaccuracies or fraudulent activity that could be unfairly dragging down your score. Correcting even a small error can be the key to moving past the 668 mark.
- Diversify your credit mix. Lenders like to see that you can responsibly manage different types of credit, like installment loans and credit cards. Adding a new type of credit, such as a credit-builder loan, can strengthen your profile over time.
For personalized recommendations on the best credit cards to help you build your score, the Kudos platform can guide your decisions.
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