What credit score is needed to refinance your mortgage?

A credit score of at least 620 will qualify you for a conventional refinance — but clearing the minimum doesn't guarantee a good rate. Lenders save their best pricing for borrowers well above the cutoff, and the difference can add up to real money over the life of the loan.

Minimums vary by loan type: 580 for FHA, generally 700+ for jumbo, and no set agency floor for VA or USDA (though lenders typically look for 620 and 640 respectively). A score that rules out one option may still work for another.

If your score is borderline, run the math on closing costs vs. savings before you refinance — sometimes it's cheaper to spend a few months improving your score first.

If your score is well below your loan type's minimum, refinancing may not be your best move right now. A repayment plan or loan modification through your current servicer can offer payment relief without locking you into a new rate for years.

Meeting the minimum credit score for your loan type is only step one. Lenders price loans on a sliding scale, so qualifying and getting the best available rate are two different things — and the gap between a borderline score and a strong one can cost you real money over the life of the loan. Some low-score borrowers can benefit from government-backed streamline refinances, which forgo the credit check altogether.

Keep in mind that if your new rate isn't a real improvement over your current one, refinancing may actually cost you more than it saves once you factor in closing costs. Taking the time to improve your credit score can unlock access to a lower rate when you apply.

Read on for the minimum score you'll need by loan type and how to decide whether refinancing with bad credit — or not refinancing at all — is the right call.

What credit score is needed to refinance a house?

No credit minimum from VA, but lenders generally require 620

No credit minimum from USDA, but lenders generally require 640

These numbers are guidelines. The credit score you need to refinance depends on your lender, your individual situation and the type of refinance you choose. For example, lenders tend to have more stringent requirements for a cash-out refi than a traditional rate-and-term refinance.

You might also find that your lender wants a higher score if other parts of your financial picture aren't as strong, for instance, if you have a high debt-to-income (DTI) ratio .