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582 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025
TL;DR
While a 582 credit score presents some challenges, it provides a clear starting point for building a stronger financial profile. This score falls into the “Poor” category on the FICO scale, which means there is a significant opportunity for improvement.
What Does a 582 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 582 falls into the "poor" range on the FICO Score scale, which spans from 300 to 850. Lenders often view scores below 670 as subprime, making a 582 a significant hurdle for financial products. This number signals a higher risk to potential creditors, which can translate into difficulty securing new loans or credit cards. If you are approved, you'll likely face less favorable terms, such as higher interest rates and fees, making borrowing more expensive.
While this score presents challenges, it's important to see it as a starting point rather than a permanent financial identity. Credit scores are not static; they evolve with your financial behavior. Understanding where you stand is the first step toward building a stronger credit profile and unlocking better financial opportunities in the future.
Who Has a 582 Credit Score?
While age isn't a direct factor in credit score calculations, there is a strong correlation between age and higher scores. As people get older, they have more time to build a positive payment history and diversify their credit. According to a 2023 analysis of average credit scores, the breakdown by generation is as follows:
- Generation Z (ages 18-26): 680
- Millennials (ages 27-42): 690
- Generation X (ages 43-58): 709
- Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): 745
- The Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760
Credit Cards With a 582 Credit Score
Having a credit score of 582 places you in the 'poor' credit category, which can make qualifying for a traditional credit card a significant challenge. Lenders may view you as a higher-risk borrower, often resulting in rejections or approvals for cards with high interest rates, low credit limits, and annual fees. Despite these hurdles, obtaining a card isn't impossible, as there are specific options, like secured credit cards, designed to help individuals in your situation build or rebuild their credit.
Kudos offers AI-powered tools like the Explore Tool and Dream Wallet that provide personalized credit card recommendations based on your unique financial goals and spending habits. These tools analyze your preferences or transaction data to match you with suitable options from a database of nearly 3,000 cards, helping you find a card that fits your credit profile while minimizing fees and maximizing rewards.
Auto Loans and a 582 Credit Score
A 582 credit score places you in the subprime lending category, which means you'll likely face significantly higher interest rates than borrowers with good credit. Lenders view this score as a higher risk, so while you may still get approved for a loan, the terms will be less favorable.
According to Q2 2025 data, here is how average auto loan rates break down by credit score:
- 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
Mortgages at a 582 Credit Score
While a 582 credit score falls below the typical 620 minimum for a conventional loan, you still have options. Your score puts you in the running for government-backed programs, primarily an FHA loan. These loans are designed for buyers with lower credit and allow scores of 580 or higher with just a 3.5% down payment. Some VA or USDA lenders may also consider your score, though many prefer to see a score above 620.
Be prepared for less favorable terms with a 582 score. You will face higher interest rates than borrowers with stronger credit, increasing your monthly payment and total loan cost. For an FHA loan, you'll also be required to pay mortgage insurance premiums. Lenders will scrutinize other financial factors, like your income and existing debts, more closely to offset the risk associated with a lower score.
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 582 Credit Score
No matter your current standing, improving your credit score is always within reach. With consistent effort and the right strategies, you can boost your 582 credit score and unlock better financial opportunities.
- Monitor your credit reports. Regularly checking your reports from all three major bureaus helps you spot and dispute inaccuracies that could be unfairly lowering your score. This also allows you to track your progress and ensure your positive actions are being recorded correctly.
- Set up automatic bill payments. Since payment history is the single most important factor in your score, ensuring every bill is paid on time is critical. Automating payments prevents late fees and negative marks that can significantly damage a 582 score.
- Lower your credit utilization ratio. Aim to use less than 30% of your available credit, as this is the second most influential factor in your score. Paying down balances is one of the fastest ways to see a meaningful improvement from a 582 starting point.
- Apply for a secured credit card. A 582 score can make it difficult to get approved for traditional credit, but a secured card allows you to build a positive payment history. Responsible use is reported to the credit bureaus, directly helping to repair and increase your score over time.
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