What credit score range is good in Canada?

Scores run from 300 to 900. Generally 660 to 724 is good, 725 to 759 is very good and 760 or above is excellent. Lenders set their own cutoffs.

What is the most important factor in a Canadian credit score?

Payment history. Paying every bill on time is the biggest single factor, followed by how much of your available credit you use.

How long does it take to build a good credit score in Canada?

If you start from scratch, you can often see a score after several months of reported activity, and a strong score usually takes a year or more of on-time payments and low balances.

Money Talks / Credit

What is a good credit score in Canada? (2026)

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read · Credit

Canadian credit scores range from 300 to 900. As a rule of thumb, about 660 or higher is considered good, 725 or higher is very good, and 760 or higher is excellent. Bureaus use slightly different bands, so treat the ranges as a guide.

Your credit score decides whether a lender says yes, and how much interest you pay if they do. Here is the scale, in plain language.

The score bands

Range	Typical label
760 to 900	Excellent
725 to 759	Very good
660 to 724	Good
560 to 659	Fair
300 to 559	Poor

Canada has two main credit bureaus, Equifax and TransUnion. Your score can differ slightly between them because lenders do not always report to both.

What moves your score

1. Payment history

The biggest factor. A single payment more than 30 days late can hurt. Automate at least the minimum on every card and loan.

2. How much of your limit you use

Using a large share of your available credit signals risk. A common guideline is to stay under about 30% of each limit, and lower is better.

3. Length of credit history

Older accounts help. Think twice before closing your oldest card, especially if it has no annual fee.

4. New credit applications

Each application can create a hard inquiry. Many in a short time can lower your score a little. See does checking your credit score lower it?

5. Mix of credit

Having both revolving credit (cards) and instalment credit (a loan) can help slightly, but it is the smallest factor. Do not borrow just for the mix.

How to raise a low score

Pay on time, every time, starting today.
Pay balances down before the statement date so a lower balance gets reported.
Do not max out cards, even if you pay in full each month.
Check your report for errors and dispute them with the bureau.

New to Canada or building from zero? Our guide to building credit walks through the first steps, and here is how to check your score.

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Important: Rates, fees, limits and rules change, and they differ by institution. Figures in examples are illustrative. Confirm current details with your bank, the CRA or CDIC. This is general information, not financial or tax advice.