What you can get with a 600 credit score
With a 600 credit score, you have options for credit cards, though they will come with higher interest rates and lower credit limits than cards offered to people with stronger credit. Most major card issuers consider 600 to be in the "poor" or "fair" range, which means you will not be turned down automatically — but you will pay more for the privilege of borrowing.
The cards available to you fall into two categories: secured cards, which require a cash deposit, and unsecured cards designed for fair credit, which do not. Secured cards are easier to get approved for because the deposit protects the issuer. Unsecured fair-credit cards exist but often have annual fees and interest rates between 24% and 36%.
Your approval odds improve if you have a recent history of on-time payments, even if your score is low. A single missed payment or collection account will make approval harder. If you were denied by one issuer, that does not mean you will be denied by all — different companies have different approval standards.
Key Takeaways
- Secured credit cards are the most common option at a 600 score and require a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit.
- Unsecured cards for fair credit exist but typically charge annual fees between $25 and $99 plus interest rates above 24%.
- Your recent payment history matters as much as your score — one recent missed payment can block approval even with a 600 score.
- Building credit with a secured card usually takes 12 to 18 months before you can move to an unsecured card with better terms.
Secured credit cards: the most common path
A secured credit card requires you to deposit money into a savings account held by the card issuer. That deposit becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, you get a $500 credit limit. You then use the card like any other card, make monthly payments, and the issuer reports your activity to the credit bureaus.
Secured cards are designed specifically for people rebuilding credit, so approval is nearly automatic if you have a bank account and a deposit to put down. The issuer is protected because they hold your money. Common issuers include Capital One, Discover, and U.S. Bank. Deposits typically range from $200 to $2,500, though some cards allow higher deposits if you want a larger limit.
Most secured cards charge an annual fee between $0 and $99. Interest rates run between 18% and 24%, which is higher than cards for people with good credit but lower than unsecured fair-credit cards. After 12 to 18 months of on-time payments, many issuers will convert your card to an unsecured card and return your deposit.
Unsecured cards for fair credit
Some issuers offer unsecured cards directly to people with 600 scores, meaning no deposit is required. These cards are riskier for the issuer, so they charge more: annual fees often run $25 to $99, and interest rates typically fall between 24% and 36%. Your starting credit limit is usually between $300 and $500.
Unsecured fair-credit cards make sense only if you cannot save a deposit for a secured card or if you need a card when ready and do not want to wait for a secured card to arrive. Because the fees and rates are high, you will pay significantly more in interest and annual charges than you would with a secured card. If you can save $200 to $500 for a deposit, a secured card is almost always the better choice.
Examples of unsecured fair-credit cards include the Credit One Bank Visa, the Milestone Mastercard, and the OpenSky Secured Visa (which is technically secured but does not require a traditional deposit). Read the terms carefully — some of these cards have high annual fees that eat into any credit-building benefit.
What happens during the process process
When you explore for a credit card with a 600 score, the issuer will pull a hard inquiry on your credit report. This inquiry temporarily lowers your score by a few points. If you are denied, that inquiry stays on your report for two years, though it stops affecting your score after about three months.
Do not explore to multiple cards in a short time window. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, and multiple inquiries in a short period signal to issuers that you are desperate for credit, which makes them less likely to approve you. Space applications at least two weeks apart.
If you are approved, the card issuer will tell you your credit limit and annual percentage rate (APR) when ready. For secured cards, you will then transfer your deposit to the issuer's account. The card usually arrives within 7 to 10 business days.
Building credit after you get the card
Getting the card is the first step; using it correctly is what actually rebuilds your score. Make small purchases — a tank of gas, a coffee, a grocery item — and pay the full balance every month before the due date. Never carry a balance, because interest charges will cost you money and slow your credit recovery.
Keep your credit utilization low. If your limit is $500, try to use no more than $50 to $100 per month. High utilization signals financial stress to credit scoring models, even if you pay on time. After 6 to 12 months of perfect on-time payments and low utilization, your score should begin to move upward.
Check your credit report for errors. You can order a free report from each of the three bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — once per year at annualcreditreport.com. Errors on your report can drag down your score unfairly, and disputing them is free.
When to move away from a secured card
After 12 to 18 months of on-time payments, contact your card issuer and ask whether your account is may be able to access for conversion to an unsecured card. Many issuers do this automatically, but some require you to request it. When conversion happens, your deposit is returned to you, and your card terms may improve — lower APR, higher limit, or both.
If your issuer will not convert your card, you can explore for an unsecured card from a different issuer once your score reaches 650 or higher. At that point, you will have more options and better terms. You can then close the secured card if you want, though closing it will slightly lower your score because it reduces your total available credit.
Do not close the secured card when ready after conversion. Keep it open with a small balance or a single small purchase per year to maintain the account history. A longer credit history helps your score, and closing old accounts works against you.
Comparing your options side by side
| Card Type | Deposit Required | Annual Fee | Typical APR | Approval Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Secured Card | $200–$2,500 | $0–$99 | 18%–24% | Very High |
| Unsecured Fair-Credit Card | None | $25–$99 | 24%–36% | Moderate |
Frequently Asked Questions
Will explore for a credit card hurt my 600 score?
Yes, each process triggers a hard inquiry that lowers your score by a few points temporarily. The impact fades after three months. However, the long-term benefit of building credit history with a new card usually outweighs the short-term dip. Space applications at least two weeks apart to minimize damage.
Can I get a credit card with a 600 score without a deposit?
Yes, unsecured fair-credit cards exist and do not require a deposit. However, they charge higher annual fees and interest rates than secured cards. If you can save a deposit, a secured card is almost always cheaper and easier to get approved for.
How long does it take to rebuild my credit with a secured card?
Most people see a 50- to 100-point score increase within 6 to 12 months of on-time payments and low utilization. The exact timeline depends on what damaged your score originally. Collections accounts and late payments take longer to recover from than a single missed payment.
What if I am denied for a secured card?
Denial is rare for secured cards because the deposit protects the issuer. If you are denied, the reason is usually a recent collection account, active fraud alert, or a closed bank account. Contact the issuer to ask why you were denied, then address that specific issue before explore elsewhere.
Should I close my secured card after it converts to unsecured?
No. Keep the account open even after conversion. Closing it will lower your score because it reduces your total available credit and shortens your average account age. Use it occasionally and pay the balance in full to maintain the account.