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336 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025

TL;DR
A 336 credit score is a starting point for building a stronger financial future. This score falls into the Poor FICO score range, which means there are significant opportunities for improvement.
What Does a 336 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 336 is considered “very poor.” On the widely used FICO Score range of 300 to 850, it sits at the lowest end. This number signals to lenders that you are a high-risk borrower, likely due to a history of significant financial difficulties such as defaults or collections. Consequently, obtaining new lines of credit will be a major challenge.
Financially, this score means you'll likely face immediate rejections for most loans and credit cards. Any credit that is extended will almost certainly come with very high interest rates and strict terms, making borrowing incredibly expensive. While this position is difficult, a credit score is not a permanent label. It is a snapshot in time, and there are pathways forward to improving your financial health.
Who Has a 336 Credit Score?
- Generation Z (ages 18-26): The average FICO score is 680, according to 2023 data.
- Millennials (ages 27-42): The average FICO score is 690.
- Generation X (ages 43-58): The average FICO score is 709.
- Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): The average FICO score is 745.
- Silent Generation (ages 78+): The average FICO score is 760.
Credit Cards With a 336 Credit Score
A credit score of 336 falls into the "very poor" range, which can significantly hinder your ability to qualify for most traditional credit cards. Lenders view this score as an indicator of high risk, making them hesitant to approve applications due to concerns about potential defaults. Consequently, your options will likely be restricted to secured credit cards or specific subprime unsecured cards that often come with higher fees and interest rates.
Kudos helps you find the best credit card for your financial situation by using tools that analyze your preferences and spending habits to deliver personalized recommendations. These features also provide insights into how a new card might impact your credit score, helping you make an informed decision from a database of nearly 3,000 cards.
Auto Loans and a 336 Credit Score
A 336 credit score places you in the deep subprime category, which can make securing an auto loan very difficult. If you are approved, you will likely face some of the highest interest rates offered by lenders.
According to 2025 auto loan data, average interest rates vary significantly across credit score brackets:
- 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 336 Credit Score
With a 336 credit score, securing a traditional mortgage is extremely unlikely. Most loan programs have minimum score requirements that are significantly higher. For instance, conventional loans typically require a score of at least 620, while government-backed FHA loans need a score of 500 to 580. Your score falls well below these thresholds, making qualification for standard mortgages nearly impossible through most lenders.
Even if you found a specialty lender willing to consider your application, a low score dramatically impacts loan terms. You would face much higher interest rates, larger down payment requirements, and additional fees. Lenders would also likely cap the loan amount and conduct a strict manual underwriting process, scrutinizing every aspect of your financial history.
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 elements. The most common factors include:
- Your payment history, which tracks whether you pay your bills on time, is the most significant factor.
- Credit utilization, or the amount of credit you're using compared to your total available credit, also plays a major role.
- The length of your credit history demonstrates your experience with managing credit over time.
- Having a healthy mix of different types of credit, such as credit cards and installment loans, can positively impact your score.
- Finally, recent credit inquiries, which occur when you apply for new credit, are also taken into account.
How to Improve Your 336 Credit Score
Your credit score plays a crucial role in your financial life, and it is possible to improve it even from a very low starting point. There are proven methods to improve your creditworthiness and build a healthier financial profile over time.
- Establish automatic bill payments to ensure you never miss a due date. Since payment history is the most significant factor in your score, making consistent, on-time payments is the foundation for rebuilding a poor credit profile.
- Apply for a secured credit card if you have damaged or limited credit history. This type of card allows you to build a record of responsible use and positive payments, which can eventually help you qualify for traditional, unsecured cards.
- Address any collection accounts that appear on your credit report. Negotiating a settlement or requesting a goodwill deletion can remove a highly damaging item that is likely a primary reason for a very poor score.
- Become an authorized user on a credit card belonging to someone with a strong credit history. This strategy can help build your credit file by allowing their positive payment history and low credit utilization to be reflected on your report.
The free Kudos browser extension can help you manage your cards and track your progress as you work to improve your score.
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