Best Credit Cards for Fair Credit
With a fair credit score, roughly 580–669 on the FICO scale, you can usually get an unsecured card from a major issuer, but with a low starting limit and a high APR. Pick one with no annual fee, or a small one, that the issuer reviews for upgrades. Use it lightly, pay it in full, and within 6–12 months you can often qualify for a better card.
Checked September 23, 2026. Approval is never guaranteed.
Compared
| Card | Annual fee | Rewards | Worth knowing |
| Capital One Platinum | $0 | None | Reviewed for a higher limit. Pre-approval check with no score impact |
| Capital One QuicksilverOne | Annual fee | 1.5% cash back | Only worth it if rewards exceed the fee. For most, that means spending about $2,600+ a year |
| A credit union card | Often $0 | Varies | Federal credit unions cap APRs at 18% |
Unsecured or secured?
At the low end of fair, you may only be approved for a secured card. That's fine. It builds credit the same way, and major issuers upgrade them. See the best cards for bad credit.
Skip these
- Cards with monthly fees, setup fees or "program" fees. Some cards aimed at fair credit charge several fees before you've spent anything.
- An annual fee without rewards that cover it.
Getting to good credit
- Keep reported balances low. Under 30% of the limit, and lower is better. See credit utilization.
- Pay on time, every time. Autopay the statement balance.
- Ask for a limit increase after about six months of on-time payments.
- Don't apply for several cards at once. See what a hard inquiry does.
- Check your reports for errors. They're free weekly at AnnualCreditReport.com.
Once your score is in the high 600s, a no-fee cash back card is a realistic next step.
ONE OPTION · Kikoff A credit-builder account adds a second on-time payment history alongside your card, without a credit check or a deposit. See Kikoff →{rel="sponsored nofollow"}
FAQ
Which score do issuers check? Usually a FICO Score from one bureau. Your app score may be different. See FICO vs VantageScore.
Figures and rules in this article are checked against the official sources below. Where they disagree with us, they win.
- Issuer pages (to confirm): Capital One Platinum, Capital One QuicksilverOne, Discover it Secured, credit union cards
- FICO score ranges (fair 580–669)
