If you're checking your credit score and see 633, you might wonder what this means for your financial future.
This guide will explain everything about a 633 credit score and help you understand your next steps.
What Is a 633 Credit Score?
Credit Score Ranges Explained
Credit scores range from 300 to 850.
Here's how they break down:
- Excellent: 750-850
- Good: 670-749
- Fair: 580-669
- Poor: 300-579
Your 633 credit score falls in the "fair" range.
According to Experian, scores from 580 to 669 are considered Fair, and a 633 FICO® Score is below the average credit score.
Is 633 a Good Credit Score?
A 633 credit score IS NOT good, but it's not terrible either.
Think of it like getting a C+ in school. It's passing, but there's room for improvement.
The national average credit score is around 717.
This means your 633 score is about 84 points below average.
Millions of Americans still have scores in your range.
What You Can Get With a 633 Credit Score
633 Credit Score Car Loans
Yes, you can get approved for a car loan with a 633 credit score. While this score falls into the “fair” credit category, it’s not a dealbreaker. Especially for auto lenders.
Since car loans are collateralized loans (meaning the vehicle itself serves as security for the lender), lenders are often more flexible with credit requirements. If you fail to repay the loan, the lender can repossess the car, reducing their risk.
That’s why many borrowers with credit scores in the low-to-mid 600s still get approved.
With a 633 credit score, you may qualify for an interest rate between 11.92% and 4.68% on a new car loan, depending on the lender, loan term, and your overall financial profile. Used car loans typically come with slightly higher rates, but the same logic applies—your score won’t necessarily stop you from getting financed.
Real Example: Sarah, a nurse from Texas, had a 635 credit score when buying a car. She got approved for a loan but paid 9.5% interest instead of the 4.2% her colleague with a 750 score received. This cost her about $65 more per month.
Tips for car loans:
- Shop around with different lenders
- Try credit unions for better rates
- Consider a co-signer if possible
633 Credit Score Mortgage Options
Buying a home with a 633 credit score is possible, but it comes with trade-offs. Most traditional lenders prefer scores above 670, but government-backed loans like FHA loans offer paths to homeownership for those with fair credit.
FHA loans accept credit scores as low as 580 with just a 3.5% down payment. With a 633 score, you may qualify, but likely with:
- Higher interest rates
- Required mortgage insurance premiums (MIP)
- Larger down payment requests from certain lenders
The Real Cost of a Higher Rate
Here’s how much more a fair credit score could cost you on a $200,000 mortgage:
| Interest Rate | Monthly Payment (30-Year Fixed) | Total Interest Over 30 Years |
|---|---|---|
| 6.00% | $1,199 | $231,640 |
| 7.00% | $1,330 | $279,160 |
| Difference | + $131/month | + $47,520 |
Even just a 1% difference in your rate can cost tens of thousands over time.
Your Options with a 633 Credit Score
- FHA Loans (score requirement: 580+)
- Consider a larger down payment to reduce risk
- Shop multiple lenders, especially those with fair-credit loan programs
- Work on improving your score to secure better loan terms
Credit Cards and Personal Loans
You can qualify for some credit cards and personal loans, but not the best ones.
You'll likely see:
- Higher interest rates
- Annual fees
- Lower credit limits
- Fewer rewards and benefits
Secured credit cards might be your best option for rebuilding credit while having access to credit.
What Causes a 633 Credit Score?
Understanding why your score is 633 helps you fix it.
Here are the main reasons:
Late or Missed Payments
Payment history makes up 35% of your credit score. Even a few late payments can drop your score significantly.
High Credit Card Balances
Using too much of your available credit hurts your score. If you have a $5,000 limit and carry a $4,000 balance, you're using 80% of your credit. Experts recommend staying below 30%.
Short Credit History
New to credit? Your score might be low simply because you haven't had time to build a strong history. Credit length accounts for 15% of your score.
Recent Credit Problems
Collections, charge-offs, or other negative marks keep your score down even if you're improving elsewhere.
Too Many Credit Applications
Applying for lots of credit in a short time can temporarily lower your score.
Here’s a pie chart showing the five main factors that make up your credit score, based on the FICO model.
How to Improve Your 633 Credit Score
Your 633 score has plenty of room for improvement. Here's your step-by-step plan:
Step 1: Fix Your Payment History
Set up automatic payments for at least the minimum amount on all accounts. This is the fastest way to start improving your score.
Success Story: Michael, a teacher with a 628 score, set up autopay and didn't miss a payment for eight months. His score jumped to 678, moving him from fair to good credit.
Step 2: Pay Down Credit Card Debt
Focus on reducing balances, especially if you're using more than 30% of your available credit.
Two strategies:
- Avalanche method: Pay minimums on all cards, then attack the highest interest rate card
- Snowball method: Pay minimums on all cards, then focus on the smallest balance for quick wins
Step 3: Keep Old Cards Open
Don't close unused credit cards. This reduces your available credit and can hurt your score. Instead, use them occasionally for small purchases you pay off immediately.
Step 4: Check for Errors
Get free credit reports from annualcreditreport.com. Look for:
- Accounts that aren't yours
- Wrong payment histories
- Outdated information
Disputing errors can quickly boost your score.
Step 5: Consider Authorized User Status
Ask a trusted family member with excellent credit to add you as an authorized user. Their good habits can help your score.
How Fast Can You Improve Your 633 Score?
The timeline depends on what's causing your low score:
Quick Improvements (1-2 months)
- Paying down high credit card balances
- Fixing errors on your credit report
Medium-term Improvements (3-6 months)
- Consistent on-time payments
- Reducing overall debt
Long-term Improvements (6-12 months)
- Building payment history
- Growing credit age
Most people with a 633 score can reach the "good" range (670+) within 6-12 months with consistent effort.
Below is a chart showing a projected timeline from a 633 to 700+ credit score over 12 months.
FICO vs VantageScore: Does It Matter?
You might see different credit scores on different websites.
This happens because there are two main scoring models:
FICO Score
- Most commonly used by lenders
- 633 falls in "fair" range
- What you should focus on improving
VantageScore
- Used by some credit monitoring apps
- Similar range (300-850) but different categories
- Less important for loan approvals
Both use the same 300-850 scale, but a 633 might be classified slightly differently between models.
Is 633 Credit Score Average?
No, 633 is below average. The national average is 718, putting you 85 points below. However, you're not alone - many Americans have fair credit scores and successfully improve them.
Credit Score 633 Recommended Action Plan
Having a 633 credit score means you have access to credit, but at higher costs. The good news? This score can definitely be improved.
Start this week:
- Set up autopay on all credit accounts
- Check your credit reports for errors
- Make a plan to pay down your highest balance
Focus this month:
- Keep credit card balances below 30% of limits
- Don't apply for new credit unless necessary
- Track your progress with free credit monitoring
Remember, credit scores aren't permanent. Every month you make good financial choices that bring you closer to better credit. Focus on one or two changes at a time rather than trying to fix everything at once.
Your 633 credit score is your starting point, not your destination.
With patience and the right moves, you can build the credit score you need for your financial goals.