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Mortgage rates by credit score chart
Sample APRs by FICO band for a 30-year fixed mortgage — the band, the monthly P&I, the total interest, and the extra interest vs the top band. These are sample APRs from May 2026, not a quote.
★ MONEY · MORTGAGE RATES BY CREDIT SCORE CHART · 2026 APR TABLE
Mortgage Rates by Credit Score Chart: 2026 APR Table
Score 720 on a $400,000 loan: band 700–759, sample APR 6.95%, monthly P&I $2,647.79, total interest $553,204.99, extra vs the top band $24,004.70 ($66.68 a month). This is reference table #262 in the Bright Side Kit money collection: myFICO sample APRs for a 30-year fixed mortgage, May 2026 — the monthly payment and total interest for every FICO band on a $400,000 loan, and what a higher score saves. Put in your credit score and loan amount and the calculator looks up your band, your sample APR, and your payment.
How the chart works
On the defaults — a FICO score of 720 and a loan of $400,000 — the band is 700–759, the sample APR is 6.95%, the monthly P&I payment is $2,647.79, the total interest over 30 years is $553,204.99, and the extra interest vs the top band is $24,004.70 — $66.68 a month.
These are SAMPLE APRs from May 2026, not a quote — your rate depends on the lender, down payment, loan-to-value, and the day you lock. The table stops at 620 because myFICO's sample grid ends there — below 620 you need FHA, VA, or another program, and the calculator says so instead of inventing a rate. A higher score saves real money — at $400,000 the 620 band costs $63,900.22 more in interest than the top band. Rates move daily, so re-check before you apply.
The payment is principal and interest only — no taxes, insurance, or PMI. The "extra vs top band" column compares each band with the top band at the same loan amount, so the $24,004.70 for the 700–759 band is the extra interest on the same $400,000, not on a different loan.
The mortgage rates by credit score table
The table below is the myFICO sample APR grid for a 30-year fixed mortgage, May 2026, as published by The Mortgage Reports. Every payment and total-interest cell is computed from the stated APR by the amortization model — never hand-typed. The extra column is the total-interest difference vs the top band at the same $400,000 loan.
| FICO band | Sample APR | Monthly P&I on $400,000 | Total interest over 30 years | Extra vs top band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 760–850 | 6.70% | $2,581.11 | $529,200.29 | — (top band) |
| 700–759 | 6.95% | $2,647.79 | $553,204.99 | $24,004.70 |
| 680–699 | 7.07% | $2,680.04 | $564,814.82 | $35,614.53 |
| 660–679 | 7.11% | $2,690.83 | $568,697.19 | $39,496.90 |
| 640–659 | 7.21% | $2,717.86 | $578,430.03 | $49,229.74 |
| 620–639 | 7.36% | $2,758.61 | $593,100.51 | $63,900.22 |
The worked example, line by line
Setup: the input score is S = 720 and the loan is L = $400,000, for 30 years (360 monthly payments). The myFICO sample APRs are 6.70% for 760–850, 6.95% for 700–759, 7.07% for 680–699, 7.11% for 660–679, 7.21% for 640–659, and 7.36% for 620–639.
Line 1 — band lookup: 720 falls in 700–759, so the sample APR is 6.95%.
Line 2 — monthly P&I payment: the monthly rate is r = 0.0695 ÷ 12 = 0.0057917, and (1 + r)360 = 7.9964. The payment is P = L × r(1 + r)360 ÷ ((1 + r)360 − 1) = $400,000 × 0.0066194791 = $2,647.79.
Line 3 — total interest: total interest = P × 360 − L = $2,647.7916 × 360 − $400,000 = $953,204.99 − $400,000 = $553,204.99. The payment is shown rounded to $2,647.79, but the total is computed from the unrounded payment — totals are computed from unrounded values, so rounded parts may differ by a cent from their rounded sum.
Line 4 — extra vs the top band: the top band (760–850, 6.70%) pays $2,581.11 a month and $529,200.29 in total interest on the same $400,000, so the extra is $553,204.99 − $529,200.29 = $24,004.70, or $24,004.70 ÷ 360 = $66.68 a month.
Every branch, checked
Loan $300,000, score 720: band 700–759, sample APR 6.95%, monthly P&I $1,985.84, total interest $414,903.74, extra vs the top band $18,003.52 ($50.01 a month). A smaller loan at the same score — the extra is measured against the top band on the same $300,000, where the top band pays $396,900.22 in interest.
Loan $500,000, score 720: band 700–759, sample APR 6.95%, monthly P&I $3,309.74, total interest $691,506.23, extra vs the top band $30,005.87 ($83.35 a month). A larger loan at the same score — the extra is measured against the top band on the same $500,000, where the top band pays $661,500.36 in interest.
Score 760: band 760–850, sample APR 6.70%, monthly P&I $2,581.11, total interest $529,200.29, extra vs the top band $0.00 — this is the top band, the first score that gets the lowest sample APR.
Score 650: band 640–659, sample APR 7.21%, monthly P&I $2,717.86, total interest $578,430.03, extra vs the top band $49,229.74 ($136.75 a month). Seventy points below the defaults costs $49,229.74 more in interest on the same loan.
Score 620: band 620–639, sample APR 7.36%, monthly P&I $2,758.61, total interest $593,100.51, extra vs the top band $63,900.22 ($177.50 a month). The bottom of the table — the most expensive band, $177.50 a month more than the top band.
Score 850: band 760–850, sample APR 6.70%, monthly P&I $2,581.11, total interest $529,200.29, extra vs the top band $0.00 — the ceiling of the scale, the same top band as 760.
Score 699: band 680–699, sample APR 7.07%, monthly P&I $2,680.04, total interest $564,814.82, extra vs the top band $35,614.53 ($98.93 a month). One point below the 700 line — a single point costs $11,609.83 more in interest than a 700.
Score 700: band 700–759, sample APR 6.95%, monthly P&I $2,647.79, total interest $553,204.99, extra vs the top band $24,004.70 ($66.68 a month). The first score in the defaults' band — the same figures as the defaults.
The reverses, worked backwards
Score for the top band: 760 — at 759 the figures are Score 759 on a $400,000 loan: band 700–759, sample APR 6.95%, monthly P&I $2,647.79, total interest $553,204.99, extra vs the top band $24,004.70 ($66.68 a month). The star is POINTS. Verdict: LOOKUP — 760 is the first score in the top band.
Score for the 7.07% band: 680 — at 679 the figures are Score 679 on a $400,000 loan: band 660–679, sample APR 7.11%, monthly P&I $2,690.83, total interest $568,697.19, extra vs the top band $39,496.90 ($109.71 a month). The star is POINTS. Verdict: LOOKUP — 680 is the first score in the 680–699 band.
Loan amount for a monthly payment of exactly $2,000 at 6.95%: exactly $302,138.5793 — displayed $302,138.58 gives monthly P&I $2,000.00, total interest $417,861.42, and $1 less, $302,137.58, gives monthly P&I $1,999.99, total interest $417,860.04. The star is DOLLARS. Verdict: CONTINUOUS — this reverse is exact, not a step: the loan amount is a continuous value, so the displayed cents are rounded from the exact $302,138.5793.
Score where the monthly payment on $400,000 first drops below $2,700: 660 — at 660 the figures are Score 660 on a $400,000 loan: band 660–679, sample APR 7.11%, monthly P&I $2,690.83, total interest $568,697.19, extra vs the top band $39,496.90 ($109.71 a month), and at 659 the figures are Score 659 on a $400,000 loan: band 640–659, sample APR 7.21%, monthly P&I $2,717.86, total interest $578,430.03, extra vs the top band $49,229.74 ($136.75 a month). The star is POINTS. Verdict: STEP — the payment jumps at the band boundary: 660 is the first score in the 660–679 band, and 659 is still in the 640–659 band, above $2,700.
Loan amount for total interest of exactly $500,000 at 6.95%: exactly $361,529.6416 — displayed $361,529.64 gives monthly P&I $2,393.14, total interest $500,000.00, and $1 less, $361,528.64, gives monthly P&I $2,393.13, total interest $499,998.61. The star is DOLLARS. Verdict: CONTINUOUS — this reverse is exact, not a step: the loan amount is a continuous value, so the displayed cents are rounded from the exact $361,529.6416.
Loan amount for a monthly payment of exactly $3,000 at 7.36%: exactly $435,001.2862 — displayed $435,001.29 gives monthly P&I $3,000.00, total interest $644,998.72. The star is DOLLARS. Verdict: CONTINUOUS — this reverse is exact, not a step: the loan amount is a continuous value, so the displayed cents are rounded from the exact $435,001.2862.
What the defaults assume
The defaults are a FICO score of 720 and a loan of $400,000 — band 700–759, sample APR 6.95%, monthly P&I $2,647.79, total interest $553,204.99, extra vs the top band $24,004.70 ($66.68 a month). These are SAMPLE APRs from May 2026, not a quote — your rate depends on the lender, down payment, loan-to-value, and the day you lock. A score of 300 — below 620, no conventional band in this table — is a model-level outcome, not an error: the calculator states "below 620 — no conventional band in this table" and shows no rate. A score of 850 — band 760–850, 6.70% — is the ceiling of the scale. A loan of $1,000,000 at 6.70% pays $6,452.78 a month and $1,323,000.72 in total interest, and a loan of $0 pays $0.00 — both model-level outcomes. The calculator asks for a whole-number score from 300 to 850 and a loan from $0 to $10,000,000, so 299 and 851 are validation errors, not results, a non-integer score such as 720.5 is rejected the same way, and a score of 300–619 is NOT an error — it is a valid score with no conventional band.
The score thresholds lenders actually use
Four numbers matter more than the rest of the scale: the conventional-mortgage floor, the FHA floor, the "good credit" line, and the best-rate line.
| Threshold | Score | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Conventional mortgage minimum | 620 | The usual floor for a Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac loan; the table stops here. |
| FHA mortgage minimum | 580 | The lowest score for an FHA loan with 3.5% down (HUD) — below the table's range. |
| "Good credit" line | 670 | Where most lenders' standard rates begin. |
| Best-rate line | 740 | Where the lowest mortgage and auto-loan rates start. |
Output · formula · meaning
| Output | Formula | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| FICO band | look up S in the myFICO band table | 700–759. |
| Sample APR | the band's myFICO sample APR, May 2026 | 6.95%. |
| Monthly P&I payment | P = L × r(1 + r)360 ÷ ((1 + r)360 − 1), r = APR ÷ 12 | $2,647.79. |
| Total interest over 30 years | P × 360 − L, from the unrounded payment | $553,204.99. |
| Extra vs the top band | total interest − top-band total interest, at the same loan | $24,004.70. |
| Extra per month | extra ÷ 360 | $66.68. |
| Score for the top band | first score in the top band | 760 → 760. |
| Score for the 7.07% band | first score in the 680–699 band | 680 → 680. |
| Loan for a $2,000 payment at 6.95% | bisection on the payment function, target $2,000 | $302,138.58 → 302,138.58. |
| Score where the payment first drops below $2,700 | first banded score with a payment below $2,700 | 660 → 660. |
| Loan for $500,000 total interest at 6.95% | bisection on the total-interest function, target $500,000 | $361,529.64 → 361,529.64. |
| Loan for a $3,000 payment at 7.36% | bisection on the payment function, target $3,000 | $435,001.29 → 435,001.29. |
| At 759 (one below the top band) | calc(759) | Score 759 on a $400,000 loan: band 700–759, sample APR 6.95%, monthly P&I $2,647.79, total interest $553,204.99, extra vs the top band $24,004.70 ($66.68 a month). |
| At 679 (one below the 7.07% band) | calc(679) | Score 679 on a $400,000 loan: band 660–679, sample APR 7.11%, monthly P&I $2,690.83, total interest $568,697.19, extra vs the top band $39,496.90 ($109.71 a month). |
| At $302,137.58 (one dollar less) | payment at $302,137.58, 6.95% | monthly P&I $1,999.99, total interest $417,860.04. |
| At 659 (one below $2,700) | calc(659) | Score 659 on a $400,000 loan: band 640–659, sample APR 7.21%, monthly P&I $2,717.86, total interest $578,430.03, extra vs the top band $49,229.74 ($136.75 a month). |
| At $361,528.64 (one dollar less) | payment at $361,528.64, 6.95% | monthly P&I $2,393.13, total interest $499,998.61. |
| At $435,000.29 (one dollar less) | payment at $435,000.29, 7.36% | —. |
| Loan $300,000, score 720 | same model | Score 720 on a $300,000 loan: band 700–759, sample APR 6.95%, monthly P&I $1,985.84, total interest $414,903.74, extra vs the top band $18,003.52 ($50.01 a month). |
| Loan $500,000, score 720 | same model | Score 720 on a $500,000 loan: band 700–759, sample APR 6.95%, monthly P&I $3,309.74, total interest $691,506.23, extra vs the top band $30,005.87 ($83.35 a month). |
| Score 760 | same model | Score 760 on a $400,000 loan: band 760–850, sample APR 6.70%, monthly P&I $2,581.11, total interest $529,200.29, extra vs the top band $0.00 (this is the top band). |
| Score 650 | same model | Score 650 on a $400,000 loan: band 640–659, sample APR 7.21%, monthly P&I $2,717.86, total interest $578,430.03, extra vs the top band $49,229.74 ($136.75 a month). |
| Score 620 | same model | Score 620 on a $400,000 loan: band 620–639, sample APR 7.36%, monthly P&I $2,758.61, total interest $593,100.51, extra vs the top band $63,900.22 ($177.50 a month). |
| Score 850 | same model | Score 850 on a $400,000 loan: band 760–850, sample APR 6.70%, monthly P&I $2,581.11, total interest $529,200.29, extra vs the top band $0.00 (this is the top band). |
| Score 699 | same model | Score 699 on a $400,000 loan: band 680–699, sample APR 7.07%, monthly P&I $2,680.04, total interest $564,814.82, extra vs the top band $35,614.53 ($98.93 a month). |
| Score 700 | same model | Score 700 on a $400,000 loan: band 700–759, sample APR 6.95%, monthly P&I $2,647.79, total interest $553,204.99, extra vs the top band $24,004.70 ($66.68 a month). |
Who uses this
- The first-time homebuyer with a 680 score: they learn the sample APR is 7.07% and the payment on $400,000 is $2,680.04 a month — and they check that reaching 700 would save $11,609.83 in interest before deciding whether to wait and build the score first.
- The homeowner refinancing at 740: they learn a score of 740 is still in the 700–759 band at 6.95% — and they check that 760 is the score that unlocks the top band at 6.70% before locking a rate.
- The buyer at the bottom of the table with a 620: they learn the payment is $2,758.61 a month and the extra interest vs the top band is $63,900.22 — and they check whether an FHA loan at 580 or a few months of score-building beats paying the top of the table.
- The saver building credit before applying: they learn the payment on $400,000 first drops below $2,700 at a score of 660 — and they check their own score against that line each month as their credit report changes.
Accuracy & limitations
The six band APRs are myFICO sample APRs for a 30-year fixed mortgage, May 2026, as published by The Mortgage Reports — a sample grid, not a quote, and not current: Experian/Curinos October 2026 figures put the 30-year conventional rate at 7.46% for scores of 780+ and 8.15% at 620, so rates have risen since the May sample. Every payment and total-interest cell is computed from the stated APR by the amortization model, P&I only — no taxes, insurance, or PMI, which a real monthly bill includes. Your actual rate depends on the lender, your down payment, the loan-to-value, and the day you lock, and the table stops at 620 because myFICO's sample grid ends there — below 620 you need FHA (580 minimum with 3.5% down, per HUD), VA, or another program. Use the chart to see what a better score is worth in dollars, not as a promise of any particular rate.
Cite this calculatorBright Side Kit. “Mortgage Rates by Credit Score Chart: 2026 APR Table” brightoolbox.com, 2026. Method: look up the score in the myFICO sample APR bands (760–850: 6.70%; 700–759: 6.95%; 680–699: 7.07%; 660–679: 7.11%; 640–659: 7.21%; 620–639: 7.36%); monthly P&I payment P = L × r(1 + r)360 ÷ ((1 + r)360 − 1) with r = APR ÷ 12; total interest = P × 360 − L from the unrounded payment; extra vs the top band is the total-interest difference at the same loan amount. Data sources: myFICO sample APRs, May 2026, as published by The Mortgage Reports https://themortgagereports.com/87625/mortgage-rates-by-credit-score — for the six band APRs; FHA/HUD for the 580 minimum; Experian/Curinos October 2026 figures (30-year conventional 7.46% at 780+, 8.15% at 620) as a cross-check that rates have risen since the May sample. Reverses: the score for the top band is 760 (at 759 the figures are band 700–759, 6.95%, $2,647.79 a month); the score for the 7.07% band is 680 (at 679 the figures are band 660–679, 7.11%, $2,690.83 a month); the loan amount for a monthly payment of exactly $2,000 at 6.95% is exactly $302,138.5793, displayed $302,138.58 ($1 less gives $1,999.99); the score where the monthly payment on $400,000 first drops below $2,700 is 660 ($2,690.83; at 659 the payment is $2,717.86); the loan amount for total interest of exactly $500,000 at 6.95% is exactly $361,529.6416, displayed $361,529.64 ($1 less gives $499,998.61); the loan amount for a monthly payment of exactly $3,000 at 7.36% is exactly $435,001.2862, displayed $435,001.29. Defaults: score 720, loan $400,000 → band 700–759, sample APR 6.95%, monthly P&I $2,647.79, total interest $553,204.99, extra vs the top band $24,004.70 ($66.68 a month).
Bright Side Kit. "Mortgage Rates by Credit Score Chart: 2026 APR Table" https://brightoolbox.com/mortgage-rates-by-credit-score-chart/ Accessed October 26, 2026.Frequently asked questions
What mortgage rate can I get with a 720 credit score?
6.95% sample APR — $2,647.79 a month on a $400,000 loan. A score of 720 falls in the 700–759 band, whose myFICO sample APR for May 2026 is 6.95%; the total interest over 30 years is $553,204.99, which is $24,004.70 more than the top band. That is a sample APR, not a quote — your rate depends on the lender, down payment, loan-to-value, and the day you lock.
What credit score gets the lowest mortgage rate?
760. The top band starts at 760 (760–850) with a sample APR of 6.70%; a score of 759 is still in the 700–759 band at 6.95%, paying $2,647.79 a month instead of $2,581.11 on a $400,000 loan.
How much does a lower credit score cost on a mortgage?
A lot — at $400,000 the 620 band costs $63,900.22 more in interest than the top band. The 620–639 band pays $2,758.61 a month ($177.50 more than the top band) and $593,100.51 in total interest vs $529,200.29 for the top band. Even the 700–759 band costs $24,004.70 more than the top band.
What is the minimum credit score for a mortgage?
620 for a conventional mortgage; 580 for an FHA loan. The conventional minimum is 620, the usual floor for a Fannie Mae / Freddie Mac loan, and the table stops there. The FHA minimum is 580 with 3.5% down (HUD) — below the table's range, so the calculator says "below 620 — no conventional band in this table" instead of inventing a rate.
What loan amount gives a $2,000 monthly payment at 6.95%?
$302,138.58. The exact loan amount is $302,138.5793, so the displayed $302,138.58 gives a payment of exactly $2,000.00; $1 less, $302,137.58, gives $1,999.99.
What score do I need for a mortgage payment under $2,700 on $400,000?
660. At 660 the payment is $2,690.83, the first score below $2,700; at 659 the payment is $2,717.86, above $2,700 — the payment jumps at the band boundary between the 640–659 and 660–679 bands.
What if my credit score is below 620?
There is no conventional band for you in this table — and the calculator says so. A score of 300–619 is a valid score with no conventional band: the table stops at 620 because myFICO's sample grid ends there. An FHA loan starts at 580 with 3.5% down, and a VA loan has no set minimum — those are the programs to look at below 620.
Are these mortgage rates current — is this a quote?
No — these are sample APRs from May 2026, not a quote, and rates have risen since. Experian/Curinos October 2026 figures put the 30-year conventional rate at 7.46% for scores of 780+ and 8.15% at 620, above the May sample grid. Rates move daily, so re-check before you apply — use this chart to see what a better score is worth, not as a rate lock.