746 Credit Score: What It Means and What You Can Do With It

No one really teaches you how credit reports and scores works—but your credit score quietly follows you everywhere. So when you see a 746 on your credit report, it’s only natural to ask: What does that number actually mean?

In this guide, we’ll break down what a 746 credit score really means, what it gets you, what to avoid, and how to take your credit score even higher. Whether you’re credit-curious or trying to get approved for a major loan, you’ll find everything you need to know right here.

Understanding a 746 Credit Score

Is 746 a Good Credit Score?

In short: yes. A 746 credit score is firmly in the Very Good credit score range on the FICO scale. It’s above average and close to crossing into the Excellent credit score range, which usually starts around 760.

With a 746 credit score, lenders see you as a responsible borrower. You’ve likely paid bills on time, maintained low balances, and kept a healthy mix of credit accounts on your credit report.

The average credit score typically falls between 715 and 720. That means your 746 credit score puts you well ahead of most consumers average credit scores.

Lending Options with a 746 Credit Score

Credit Cards

With a 746 credit score, you’ll qualify for most credit cards, including many with premium benefits as you are above the minimum credit scores needed. Think high cashback rates, travel rewards, 0% intro APR and low interest rates, and balance transfer offers.

Cards that offer perks like TSA PreCheck reimbursement, no foreign transaction fees, and generous sign-up bonuses are likely within reach.

Auto Loans

Getting approved for a car loan with a 746 credit score should be a breeze. More importantly, you’ll likely receive lower interest rates, which means more affordable monthly payments.

Home Loans

Looking to buy or refinance a home? A 746 credit score puts you in a strong position as you’re well above the minimum credit score needed. Most mortgage lenders consider anything over 740 to be Very Good, which can qualify you for some of the best interest rates available.

Personal Loans

Whether you’re consolidating debt, planning a wedding, or funding home improvements, personal loans are easier to secure with a 746 credit score. You’ll likely get approved for a personal loan with minimal documentation, and you may qualify for lower APRs and interest rates with higher personal loan amounts than someone with a lower credit score.

Understanding Credit Scores

Key Credit Score Factors

A 746 credit score doesn’t happen by accident. The details of your credit score are gathered directly from your credit report(s). Here are the five factors that most credit scoring models look at when calculating credit scores.

1. Payment history (35%) – Paying bills on time is the most important factor.
2. Credit utilization (30%) – Keeping credit card balances low helps maintain a strong credit score.
3. Length of credit history (15%) – The longer your accounts have been open, the better.
4. Credit mix (10%) – A mix of credit account types (loans, credit cards, etc.) helps.
5. New credit inquiries (10%) – Applying for too much new credit can temporarily hurt your credit score.

Credit Scoring Models

There are two main scoring systems: FICO and VantageScore. While both have a credit score range from 300 to 850, their calculations differ slightly.

• FICO is used by 90% of top lenders and tends to emphasize payment history and credit utilization more heavily.
• VantageScore places more emphasis on your total credit usage, balances, and available credit.

FICO Score Ranges:

• 300–579: Poor
• 580–669: Fair
• 670–739: Good
• 740–799: Very Good
• 800–850: Exceptional

VantageScore Ranges:

• 300–600: Poor
• 601–660: Fair
• 661–780: Good
• 781–850: Excellent

Your 746 credit score is a Very Good credit score with FICO and comfortably a Good credit score with VantageScore. Regardless of which model is used, a 746 is considered a Good credit score across the board.

Common Mistakes That Can Drop You Below a 746 Credit Score

Sneaky Credit Missteps to Avoid

Even with a Good credit score, a few small mistakes can cause it to drop. Here are some common pitfalls:

• Missing a single payment – One late payment can knock off 50–100 points.
• High credit card balances – Even if you pay in full, a high reported balance can hurt your utilization.
• Closing old accounts – This can shorten your credit history and increase your utilization ratio.
• Applying for too many loans at once – Each hard inquiry can shave a few points off your credit score.

Popular Credit Score Myths Debunked

Let’s clear up a few misunderstandings that can trip up even savvy borrowers:

• “Checking my credit hurts it.” – False. Soft pulls (like checking your own credit report and score) don’t affect it.
• “Carrying a balance helps my credit score.” – Nope. Paying off your balance in full is better.
• “Income impacts my credit score.” – Not directly. Your salary isn’t part of the scoring formula.
• “I should close cards I don’t use.” – Not necessarily. Keeping them open can help your credit utilization and history.

How to Improve or Maintain Your Credit Score

Even with a solid 746 credit score, there’s always room to grow—or at least stay steady. Whether you’re aiming for that higher credit score or just want to guard what you’ve already built, credit improvement is all about consistent, smart habits.

Let’s break down exactly what you can do to reach a higher credit score and keep your financial profile strong.

Pay All Bills On Time—Every Time

A single missed payment—whether it’s a credit card, utility bill, or loan—can stay on your credit report for up to seven years and potentially lower your credit score by 50 to 100 points, especially if your credit report is otherwise clean.

Here’s how to stay on track:

• Set payment reminders or calendar alerts.
• Use auto-pay for at least the minimum amount due.
• If you’re in a pinch, call your lender to ask for a short extension before the due date.

Consistency is key. Lenders want to see that you’re reliable month after month, not just now and then.

Keep Credit Utilization Low

The general advice is to stay under 30% on all your credit cards, but if you want the best possible credit score, keep it under 10%.

Let’s say you have a credit limit of $10,000. Ideally, you’d never carry more than $1,000 in balances at any given time—even if you pay it off every month.

Tips to manage utilization:

• Make multiple payments per month to keep balances low.
• Ask for a credit limit increase (without increasing your spending).
• Spread purchases across multiple cards to avoid maxing one out.

Utilization is a real-time factor. Even if you always pay in full, high balances that show up on your statement can still ding your credit score.

Maintain Old Credit Accounts

Credit history includes the average age of all your accounts and the age of your oldest one. The longer your accounts are open and in good standing, the better.

What to do:

• Keep your oldest cards open, even if you rarely use them.
• Make a small charge every few months to keep inactive cards from being closed.
• Avoid opening too many new accounts at once, which can lower your average age.

Closing old accounts might feel like spring cleaning—but it can hurt your credit score more than you think.

Be Strategic With New Applications

Every time you apply for a credit card, loan, or even certain utilities or apartment rentals, a lender may do a hard inquiry on your credit. These inquiries typically drop your credit score by 5 to 10 points and stay on your report for two years. Multiple hard inquiries within a short window can raise red flags, signaling financial distress.

Best practices:

• Only apply for credit when you truly need it.
• Space out applications—every 6 to 12 months is ideal.
• Use pre-qualification tools that only do a soft pull.
• If shopping for a mortgage or auto loan, group applications within a 14–45 day window so they count as one inquiry.

Diversify Your Credit

Your credit score reflects how well you manage multiple credit account types—revolving (like credit cards) and installment (like car loans or mortgages). You don’t need every type of account, but having a healthy blend shows you’re financially versatile.

Examples of credit types:

• Credit cards (revolving)
• Auto loans (installment)
• Mortgages (installment)
• Personal loans (installment)
• Student loans (installment)
• Lines of credit (revolving)

Don’t open accounts just for the sake of variety, but if you’re planning a major purchase or refinance, it may make sense to optimize your mix first.

Check Your Credit Reports Regularly

Errors happen more often than you’d think. According to the FTC, one in five people have a mistake on at least one of their credit reports. That error could be holding you back from reaching 760+ or getting better rates.

You’re entitled to one free credit report every 12 months from each of the three major credit bureaus—Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax—through AnnualCreditReport.com.

What to look for:

• Incorrect balances or payment statuses
• Accounts that don’t belong to you
• Duplicate accounts
• Outdated or unverifiable information

If you find an error, dispute it right away. Fixing just one mistake can boost your credit score quickly.

Be Patient—Credit Score Growth Takes Time

Improving your credit score from 746 to 800+ is absolutely doable, but it doesn’t happen overnight. Depending on your situation, it might take 3 to 12 months to cross that threshold—longer if you’re recovering from a major issue. But if you’re already doing most things right, a few tweaks (like lowering utilization or increasing your limits) can push you over the edge towards higher credit scores.

Quick wins:

• Pay down high balances
• Remove any small collections
• Ask for goodwill adjustments from lenders
• Dispute any reporting inaccuracies

Long-term gains:

• Keep accounts open
• Keep paying on time
• Maintain your credit mix and avoid over-applying

Conclusion: Use Your Credit Score to Your Advantage

A 746 credit score is something to be proud of. It shows you’ve been smart with your finances—and lenders know it. From lower interest rates to premium credit cards, your credit score unlocks opportunities many people are still working toward.

But don’t stop here. With a little help, you could climb into the excellent range and enjoy even more financial freedom. That’s where Dovly comes in. Dovly is an AI-powered credit engine that helps you track, manage, and even fix your credit score—all in one simple dashboard. Whether you’re aiming to boost your credit score, fix reporting errors, or just stay on top of things, Dovly has your back.

👉 Take control of your credit today—join Dovly and start building your financial future with confidence.