Kudos has partnered with CardRatings and Red Ventures for our coverage of credit card products. Kudos, CardRatings, and Red Ventures may receive a commission from card issuers. Kudos may receive commission from card issuers. Some of the card offers that appear on Kudos are from advertisers and may impact how and where card products appear on the site. Kudos tries to include as many card companies and offers as we are aware of, including offers from issuers that don't pay us, but we may not cover all card companies or all available card offers. You don't have to use our links, but we're grateful when you do!
576 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025

TL;DR
While a 576 credit score indicates there's room for improvement, it provides a clear starting point for strengthening your financial profile. This score falls within the 'poor' range on the FICO scale, signaling that strategic financial habits can lead to significant positive changes.
What Does a 576 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 576 places you in the "poor" range on the FICO scoring model, which spans from 300 to 850. Lenders often view scores below 580 as subprime, signaling a higher-risk borrower. This can make it difficult to get approved for new credit cards or loans. If you are approved, you’ll likely be offered higher interest rates and less favorable terms, making borrowing significantly more expensive over the life of the loan.
However, a 576 credit score is not a permanent financial sentence. It's simply a snapshot of your credit history at one moment in time, and it can absolutely be improved. Consider it a starting point for building a stronger financial future. With dedication and time, moving into a better credit score category is a very achievable goal.
Who Has a 576 Credit Score?
While age isn't a direct factor in credit score calculations, there is a clear trend of scores increasing over time. According to 2023 Experian data, the average FICO score for each age group breaks down as follows:
- Ages 18-26 (Gen Z): 680
- Ages 27-42 (Millennials): 690
- Ages 43-58 (Gen X): 709
- Ages 59-77 (Baby Boomers): 745
- Ages 78+ (Silent Generation): 760
Credit Cards With a 576 Credit Score
A credit score of 576 falls into the "fair" credit range, which can make qualifying for a traditional credit card a bit of a challenge. Lenders often view scores in this range as higher risk, which may result in fewer approvals, higher interest rates, and lower credit limits on the cards you are offered. While you might not qualify for premium rewards cards, you still have options, particularly with secured cards or those designed for building credit.
Kudos can help you find the best credit card for your situation with its AI-powered Explore Tool, which provides personalized recommendations from a database of nearly 3,000 cards. The tool analyzes your stated preferences to match you with suitable options and provides insights into how a new card might impact your credit score, helping you make a financially sound decision.
Auto Loans and a 576 Credit Score
A 576 credit score places you in the subprime borrower category, which can make securing an auto loan more challenging and expensive. Lenders view this score as higher risk, often resulting in significantly higher interest rates compared to applicants with better credit.
According to Experian's Q2 2025 data, here is how average auto loan rates break 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 576 Credit Score
A 576 credit score significantly limits your mortgage eligibility, placing most conventional loans out of reach. Your primary path to homeownership will likely be through an FHA loan. While FHA loans accept scores as low as 500, applicants with scores under 580 must provide a down payment of at least 10%.
Beyond a larger down payment, a 576 score leads to less favorable terms. You can expect higher interest rates and extra fees, such as mortgage insurance premiums on an FHA loan. Lenders will also likely cap the amount you can borrow and subject your finances to a more rigorous review process known as manual underwriting.
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's primarily based on a handful of key financial habits. The most common factors 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.
- Having a healthy mix of credit types, such as credit cards and installment loans, can positively impact your score.
- Recent credit inquiries and newly opened accounts can temporarily lower your score.
How to Improve Your 576 Credit Score
Improving your credit score is always possible, and with consistent effort, you can turn a 576 score into a much healthier one. Taking a few proven steps can put you on the right path to better financial opportunities.
- Monitor Your Credit Reports. Regularly check your reports for inaccuracies or signs of identity theft that could be dragging down your score. Disputing and removing errors is one of the fastest ways to see a potential score increase.
- Establish Automatic Bill Payments. Your payment history is the most significant factor in your score, so setting up automatic payments ensures you never miss a due date. This builds the positive track record that is essential for moving out of the poor credit range.
- Reduce Your Credit Utilization Ratio. High balances hurt your score, so focus on paying down debt to get your utilization below 30%. For a 576 score, tackling high-interest debt first can free up cash and significantly improve this key scoring factor.
- Apply for a Secured Credit Card. A secured card is an excellent tool for rebuilding credit, as it requires a cash deposit, making it accessible for those with poor scores. Making small, regular purchases and paying the bill in full each month demonstrates responsible use and builds a positive history.
Let Kudos help you find the right credit-building cards and maximize your rewards along the way.
Supercharge Your Credit Cards
Experience smarter spending with Kudos and unlock more from your credit cards. Earn $20.00 when you sign up for Kudos with "GET20" and make an eligible Kudos Boost purchase.
Editorial Disclosure: Opinions expressed here are those of Kudos alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.