What is the minimum credit score for a HELOC?

Most lenders require a minimum credit score of 620 to qualify for a HELOC, though many competitive lenders set the practical floor at 680–700 for their best rates. A higher score unlocks a lower margin above the Prime Rate and a higher credit limit. Your score is one of three key factors — equity and income matter just as much.

A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is a revolving line of credit secured by your home's equity. Because your home is the collateral, the CFPB explains that missed HELOC payments can result in foreclosure — so lenders underwrite HELOCs carefully, looking at credit, equity, and income together. Credit score is the entry ticket, but it's not the only gate.

Credit score requirements: what lenders typically set

Lenders typically require a minimum FICO score of 620 to qualify for a HELOC, the same floor used for conventional mortgages. In practice, most lenders set their best-rate tier at 700 or higher. Borrowers in the 620–679 range may qualify but will often face a higher rate margin above the Prime Rate — sometimes 1%–2% more than a borrower at 720+. Scores below 620 generally disqualify applicants from most HELOC programs; some lenders have higher minimums (660 or 680) as a matter of policy.

620–659: Entry-level eligibility at some lenders — higher rate margins, stricter equity requirements.
660–699: Mid-tier approval range — standard terms, some rate premium above Prime.
700–719: Competitive range — most lenders offer standard pricing.
720+: Best available rate margin; maximum credit line access at most lenders.

The equity requirement: combined LTV matters as much as score

Credit score alone won't get you a HELOC — you also need equity. Lenders use Combined Loan-to-Value (CLTV), which adds your first mortgage balance and the new HELOC credit limit, then divides by the home's appraised value. Most lenders cap CLTV at 80%–85%. If your home is worth $400,000 and you owe $300,000 on your mortgage (75% LTV), a lender capping CLTV at 85% would allow a HELOC credit line up to $40,000. The loan-to-value ratio determines how much equity is available — track it before applying.

Income and DTI: the third pillar

HELOCs are second mortgages, and lenders verify that your total debt load — first mortgage, HELOC, plus all other monthly debts — stays within their DTI limits. A back-end DTI below 43% is the general standard for HELOC approval, consistent with qualified mortgage guidelines per the CFPB. Self-employed borrowers will need two years of tax returns; W-2 employees need recent pay stubs and W-2s.

How your credit score affects your HELOC rate

Most HELOCs are variable-rate products priced as Prime Rate plus a lender margin. The margin — typically 0%–2% depending on your creditworthiness — is where your score has a direct dollar impact. With Prime at 6.75% (as of mid-2026 per the Federal Reserve H.15 release), a borrower at 720+ might receive Prime + 0.5% = 7.25%, while a borrower at 640 might receive Prime + 2.0% = 8.75%. On a $50,000 balance drawn over a full year, that 1.5% difference is $750 annually. Verify current Prime Rate before modeling your costs.

Your home is at risk — qualify carefully

A HELOC is secured by your home. Defaulting on a HELOC can result in foreclosure even if your first mortgage is current. Borrow against home equity only when you have stable income and a clear repayment plan.

Sources

A HELOC is a line of credit that allows you to borrow against your home equity; it typically carries a variable interest rate, and the lender can foreclose if you cannot repay. — CFPB — Mortgage Key Terms
A qualified mortgage requires lenders to verify ability to repay with a back-end DTI at or below 43% in most cases. — CFPB — What Is a Qualified Mortgage?
The Federal Reserve H.15 Selected Interest Rates release tracks the Prime Rate, which serves as the primary benchmark for variable-rate HELOC pricing. — Federal Reserve — H.15 Selected Interest Rates
HELOC interest may be deductible if the funds are used to buy, build, or substantially improve the home securing the loan — consult IRS Publication 936 and a tax professional. — IRS Publication 936 — Home Mortgage Interest Deduction

Key takeaways

Most lenders require a minimum 620 credit score for a HELOC; 700+ unlocks the best rate tiers.
CLTV (first mortgage + HELOC ÷ home value) is capped at 80%–85% at most lenders — equity limits access more than score at high LTVs.
Your score determines the rate margin above Prime — a 720+ score may save hundreds of dollars annually vs. a 640 score on the same balance.
Back-end DTI below 43% is the standard income/debt threshold for HELOC qualification.
Your home is collateral — qualify conservatively, not at the maximum your score permits.

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