It depends on which credit score model you're referring to. FICO credit scores are popular with many lenders, and the company says a score between 580-669 is considered fair. There are also scores available from VantageScore, a newer company that uses a slightly different scoring model. VantageScore credit scores of 601-660 are considered fair, according to the credit reporting company Experian. You can learn more about the differences between FICO and VantageScore here.
The average credit score in the United States falls into the good category, according to Equifax, another credit scoring company. It says the average score in 2021 is 698 using the VantageScore 3.0 model. Meanwhile, the average FICO score in 2020 was 710, Experian says.