Minimum Mortgage Credit Score by Loan Type: Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA
Minimum Mortgage Credit Score by Loan Type: Conventional, FHA, VA, and USDA Last updated: April 6, 2026 There is no single mortgage credit score that works for every loan type. The minimum score depends on whether you are applying for a conventional, FHA, VA, or USDA mortgage, and in some cases it also depends on the underwriting path and the lender’s own standards. A second reason this topic gets confusing is that the “minimum” is not always the same thing as the most realistic score to target. A program may technically allow a lower score, but the lender may still want a stronger file, more down payment, lower debt, or additional documentation. Short Answer Here is the practical version: - Conventional: 620 is still the most important practical benchmark to know for many conventional loans, especially on Freddie Mac and on manually underwritten Fannie paths. - FHA: 580+ allows maximum financing, while 500–579 is limited to 90% LTV . Scores b...