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633 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025
TL;DR
A 633 credit score is a solid starting point on your journey to excellent credit. This score falls squarely into the 'Fair' credit range, positioning you perfectly to build toward a higher score.
What Does a 633 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 633 places you in the "fair" range on the FICO scale, which runs from 300 to 850. While not considered a poor score, it sits just below the "good" category that most lenders prefer. This score suggests a moderate level of risk to potential creditors, indicating a credit history that may have some blemishes but also shows a track record of managing some debt.
Financially, this score can present some hurdles. You may find it more challenging to get approved for loans or credit cards, and those you do qualify for will likely come with higher interest rates. This increases the cost of borrowing money for major purchases. Still, a 633 score is a solid foundation, positioning you to build toward a stronger financial future and better lending terms over time.
Who Has a 633 Credit Score?
The average FICO score tends to increase with age. Based on 2023 Experian data, the breakdown is 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 633 Credit Score
A credit score of 633 places you in the "fair" credit range, which can be a mixed bag when applying for new credit cards. While you'll likely find lenders willing to approve your application, your options may be limited to cards designed for those with average credit rather than premium rewards cards. Consequently, you might face less favorable terms, such as higher annual percentage rates (APRs) and lower credit limits, compared to applicants with higher scores.
Kudos simplifies the search for the right credit card with its AI-powered tools that provide personalized recommendations from a database of nearly 3,000 cards. By analyzing your preferences and spending habits, the platform helps you compare card options and understand how each might impact your credit score and financial situation.
Auto Loans and a 633 Credit Score
A 633 credit score places you in the "non-prime" borrower category, meaning you can likely get an auto loan but will face higher interest rates. Lenders see this score as a moderate risk, so you won't have access to the most competitive rates reserved for those with stronger credit histories.
- 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 633 Credit Score
Yes, a 633 credit score is generally sufficient to qualify for several types of home loans. You will likely meet the minimum credit score for conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. While some lenders may have slightly stricter standards, a 633 score is above the typical 620 threshold for conventional and VA loans and well over the 580 minimum for an FHA loan with a low down payment.
However, your 633 score will impact your loan terms. You can expect a higher interest rate than borrowers with stronger credit, potentially costing you thousands more over the life of the loan. You may also face higher private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums if you get a conventional loan. While you have options, improving your score before applying can unlock better rates and terms.
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 633 Credit Score
Improving your credit score is an achievable goal that can be reached through consistent, positive financial behaviors. No matter your starting point, there are proven methods to help boost your creditworthiness and build a healthier financial profile.
- Monitor your credit reports. This allows you to find and dispute any inaccuracies that could be unfairly dragging down your 633 score. Regularly checking your reports also helps you track your progress as you work to improve your credit.
- Reduce your credit utilization ratio. Lenders like to see a ratio below 30%, and for someone with a 633 score, lowering high balances can result in a significant and relatively quick improvement. This is one of the most impactful factors in your score, so paying down debt is a critical step.
- Establish automatic bill payments. Your payment history is the single most important factor in your credit score calculation. Setting up auto-pay ensures you never miss a due date, which is essential for building a positive history and moving up from a fair credit score.
- Become an authorized user. By joining the account of a responsible cardholder, their positive payment history and low credit utilization can be added to your credit file. This can be a powerful strategy for someone with a 633 score to add positive information to their report.
As you work on building your credit, tools like the Kudos browser extension can help you make smarter decisions with the credit you have.
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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.
