Credit Score Mortgage Calculator

Use our credit score mortgage calculator to see the home loan you may qualify for.
By NerdWallet 
Edited by Beth Buczynski Reviewed by Michelle Blackford
Credit Score Mortgage Calculator

Some or all of the mortgage lenders featured on our site are advertising partners of NerdWallet, but this does not influence our evaluations, lender star ratings or the order in which lenders are listed on the page. Our opinions are our own. Here is a list of our partners.

Mortgage loans from our partners

Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
580

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Better - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Better

Better

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Better - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on Better

NBKC - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on NBKC

New American Funding - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
500

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on New American Funding

Veterans United - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Veterans United

Veterans United

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Veterans United - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
0%

Check Rate

on Veterans United

Mortgage loans from our partners

Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
580

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Better - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Better

Better

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Better - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on Better

NBKC - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on NBKC

Credit score mortgage calculator FAQ

What should my credit score be to buy a house?

You might be surprised at the minimum credit score to buy a house. On paper, mortgages backed by the Federal Housing Administration — otherwise known as FHA loans — allow a minimum credit score of 500, so long as you're making a 10% down payment. That's about as low as it gets.

However, with all types of mortgages, lenders can set their own minimum credit scores. So if your credit score could use some work, or if you're close to the dividing line between two credit score ranges, you should get quotes from multiple lenders. While your score might not qualify for the loan type you want with one, it could be high enough for another.

Bear in mind that your credit score isn't all lenders look at when they're considering you for a home loan. Your debt-to-income ratio, employment history and the size of your down payment all play a role in determining how much you'll be approved to borrow.

What is the best credit score to buy a house?

No real surprise here — a credit score that's 740 or higher will give you the most loan options and the best mortgage rates. However, lenders will look at your finances holistically, not just your credit score, when determining whether and how much you'll be approved to borrow, and what interest rate you'll be offered.

The smart home for your credit
NerdWallet tracks your credit score and shows you ways to build it — for free.
home affordability calculator

How can I elevate my credit score to buy a home?

If you hold off on your home purchase until your credit has improved, you may be able to qualify for more types of loans and get a lower interest rate.

There are several ways that you can build credit fast, but know that it takes time for new information to be reported to the credit bureaus — and thus for you to see your updated score.

Here are some strategies for getting your credit score ready to apply for a mortgage:

  • Pay all your bills on time. Late payments can ding your score, so try not to miss the due date on your credit card, car loan or other regular bill.

  • Try to use less than 30% of your available credit. You don't need to pay off your credit cards all at once — making multiple payments per month can help keep your credit utilization lower while avoiding a shock to your bank account.

  • Dispute any errors on your credit reports. Incorrect information could be denting your score, so it's worth taking the time to review your credit reports and fix any inaccuracies. You can request credit reports from the three major credit bureaus for free.

And when you're ready to apply for a home loan, be sure to submit all your applications within a 30-day period. Requests for mortgage preapproval result in a "hard pull" on your credit report, but if multiple lenders submit inquiries within a brief period of time, they'll only count as one.

Mortgage loans from our partners

Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
580

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Better - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Better

Better

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Better - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on Better

NBKC - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on NBKC

New American Funding - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on New American Funding

New American Funding

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
New American Funding - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
500

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on New American Funding

Veterans United - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Veterans United

Veterans United

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Veterans United - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
0%

Check Rate

on Veterans United

Mortgage loans from our partners

Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Rocket Mortgage

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Rocket Mortgage - PURCHASE logo

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
580

Min. down payment 
3.5%

Check Rate

on Rocket Mortgage

Better - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on Better

Better

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Better - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on Better

NBKC - PURCHASE logo
Check Rate

on NBKC

NBKC

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
NBKC - PURCHASE logo

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Min. credit score 
620

Min. down payment 
3%

Check Rate

on NBKC

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