Your chances of being approved for a credit card depend on several factors: your employment situation, your annual income, and most importantly, your credit history.

Each credit card sets its own standards for approval. While the specific criteria credit cards use to determine eligibility are not public, we can estimate their requirements based on other applicants’ success getting approved for each card.

On this site, we rate the credit required for each credit card as none, fair, average, good, and excellent.

What The Ratings Mean

None – Almost anybody can get approved for these credit cards. Banks may alter the terms of the credit offer based on your individual credit history, however. Estimated minimum FICO score: Any.

Fair – Most borrowers can be approved for these credit cards. Borrowers with multiple accounts delinquent accounts or who are in the process of bankruptcy may be denied. Estimated minimum FICO score: 400.

Average – Borrowers with verifiable employment and an annual income over $15,000 may be approved for these credit cards. This may include borrowers with one or two late payments on their credit report. Estimated minimum FICO score: 575.

Good – Borrowers must have verifiable employment, a higher annual income, no more than one late payment or charge-off on their credit report, and not have too much credit in use. Estimated minimum FICO score: 675.

Excellent – Only top borrowers will qualify. A high annual income, clean credit history, and low debt utilization are required. Estimated minimum FICO score: 720.

If you are unsure which credit cards you may be approved for, we recommend you get a free copy of your credit report before applying.

If you apply for several credit cards and are denied, it will temporarily lower your credit score further, making it more difficult to obtain a new credit card that you might otherwise be approved for.