Yes, you can get a credit card with a 600 credit score, but your options are limited to secured cards and subprime unsecured cards

A 600 score sits in the "poor" or "fair" range depending on which scoring model is used. Most mainstream credit card issuers — Chase, American Express, Discover, Capital One — have minimum score requirements between 620 and 700. At 600, you fall below those thresholds for their standard products. However, secured credit cards and cards specifically designed for people rebuilding credit will consider you, and some unsecured subprime cards may approve you as well.

The trade-off is real: cards available at 600 will charge higher interest rates (often 18% to 36% APR), annual fees (sometimes $25 to $99), and lower credit limits (typically $300 to $2,500). But they work. If you use one responsibly — paying on time, keeping your balance low — your score will climb within 6 to 12 months, and you can then move to better cards.

Key Takeaways

  • Secured cards require a cash deposit that becomes your credit limit, and most will approve you at 600 or below.
  • Subprime unsecured cards exist for 600-range scores but charge significantly higher interest rates and fees than secured alternatives.
  • Your score will likely improve within 6 to 12 months if you pay every bill on time and keep your balance under 30% of your limit.
  • Avoid cards that require you to pay a fee upfront just to "check" if you may have access to — legitimate issuers check for free.

How secured credit cards work at a 600 score

A secured card requires you to put down a cash deposit with the bank. That deposit becomes your credit limit. If you deposit $500, your card limit is $500. You then use the card like any other card — make purchases, receive a bill, pay it. The bank reports your payment history to the three credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion), which builds your score.

The deposit stays in a separate account and is not touched unless you stop paying your bill. After 6 to 24 months of on-time payments, most issuers will convert your card to an unsecured card, return your deposit, and raise your limit. Secured cards are the most reliable path forward at 600 because approval odds are high and the mechanics are straightforward.

Common secured card issuers include Discover (Discover Secured Card), Capital One (Capital One Secured Mastercard), and various credit unions. Fees vary: some charge no annual fee, others charge $25 to $35. Interest rates on secured cards typically range from 18% to 24% APR. Check the issuer's website directly for current terms — they change frequently.

Unsecured subprime cards and their real costs

Some issuers will issue unsecured cards (no deposit required) to people with 600 scores. Cards marketed as "bad credit" or "rebuilding credit" cards fall into this category. The advantage is that you do not tie up cash. The disadvantage is cost: interest rates often run 24% to 36% APR, and annual fees can reach $75 to $99.

Because these cards carry higher risk for the issuer, they also tend to come with lower limits ($300 to $1,000) and stricter terms. Some charge a monthly maintenance fee on top of the annual fee. Before you explore, read the full terms on the issuer's website. A card with a $99 annual fee and 36% APR is not a good deal just because it approved you.

The math matters: if you carry a $500 balance on a 36% APR card, you pay roughly $15 per month in interest alone. Add a $99 annual fee and you are paying $279 per year to borrow $500. A secured card at 20% APR with no annual fee costs you $100 per year on the same balance. Secured is almost always cheaper.

What happens when you explore

When you submit an process, the issuer will pull your credit report and check your score. At 600, you will likely see a hard inquiry on your credit report, which temporarily lowers your score by a few points. This is normal and expected. Do not let it stop you from explore.

Most issuers make a decision within a few minutes to a few hours. You will receive a decision by email or phone. If approved, you will be asked to fund your deposit (for secured cards) or verify your identity. If denied, the issuer will send you a letter explaining why — usually because your score is below their minimum, or because you have recent late payments or collections on your report.

If you are denied, do not explore to five more cards in the same week. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, and multiple inquiries in a short time signal desperation to lenders and can hurt your score further. Wait 30 days, then try one other issuer.

Building your score while you hold the card

The card itself is a tool. How you use it determines whether your score climbs or stalls. Pay your full statement balance every month, on time. If you cannot pay the full balance, pay at least the minimum, but understand that carrying a balance costs you money in interest and slows your score improvement.

Keep your balance below 30% of your credit limit. If your limit is $500, try not to carry more than $150 in charges at any time. This ratio — called your utilization rate — is one of the largest factors in your score. High utilization signals financial stress to the bureaus, even if you pay on time.

Do not close the card after your score improves. Closing it removes available credit from your profile and can actually lower your score. Keep it open, use it occasionally (a small purchase every few months), and pay it off. This costs you nothing and keeps your score climbing.

Red flags to avoid when shopping for cards

Some companies prey on people with low scores. Avoid any card that charges a fee just to "check" if you may have access to or to "reserve" your spot. Legitimate issuers check your credit for free. Avoid cards that require you to pay a fee before you receive the card. Avoid cards that promise to "may provide" approval — no card guarantees approval.

Be wary of cards that require you to call a phone number to explore rather than explore online. Scammers often use phone-only applications to collect personal information. Stick to issuers you recognize or that are listed on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) website.

Do not explore for multiple cards in the same week, even if you are tempted. Each process is a hard inquiry, and too many inquiries in a short time will lower your score and make future approvals harder. Space applications out by at least 30 days.

Timeline for score improvement and next steps

If you open a secured card today and pay on time every month, you can expect your score to rise 50 to 100 points within 6 months. After 12 months of perfect payment history, you may see a 100 to 150 point increase. This assumes you have no new late payments, collections, or other negative marks during that time.

Once your score reaches 650 to 680, you become may be able to access for mainstream unsecured cards with better terms. At that point, you can explore for a card with a lower interest rate and no annual fee. Many people use their secured card for 12 to 18 months, then graduate to a standard card and close or downgrade the secured card.

Do not rush to close your secured card when ready after it converts to unsecured. Keep it open for at least another 6 months. The longer your oldest account stays open, the better for your score. After a year or two of holding it, you can safely close it if you want to simplify your wallet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will explore for a credit card hurt my 600 score?

Yes, but only slightly and temporarily. Each process triggers a hard inquiry, which typically lowers your score by 5 to 10 points. This dip fades within a few months. The benefit of on-time payments over those months will outweigh the initial dip, so do not let it stop you from explore to one card you genuinely want.

Can I get a credit card if I have recent late payments?

It depends on how recent. A late payment from last month will make approval much harder than a late payment from a year ago. Secured cards are still your best bet because they focus on your deposit, not your history. If you have a late payment, wait 30 to 60 days before explore, and make sure you are current on all bills now.

What is the difference between a secured card and a prepaid card?

A secured card reports to the credit bureaus and builds your score. A prepaid card does not report to the bureaus and does not build your score — it is just a way to spend money you already have. For score building, you need a secured credit card, not a prepaid card.

How much should I deposit for a secured card?

Start with the minimum the issuer requires, usually $200 to $500. Your deposit becomes your credit limit, so if you deposit $500, you get a $500 limit. You do not need to deposit more than that. Once your score improves and the card converts to unsecured, you get your deposit back and your limit may increase.

Can I use a secured card to pay off debt?

No. A secured card is a new line of credit, not a way to pay off existing debt. If you have credit card debt, medical debt, or other balances, pay those down separately while you build your score with the new secured card. Paying down old debt will also help your score improve faster.