Is 800 a good credit score? Here's what to expect when you reach this number (2024)

FAQs

Is 800 a good credit score? Here's what to expect when you reach this number? ›

Your 800 FICO^® Score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is categorized as Exceptional. Your FICO^® Score is well above the average credit score, and you are likely to receive easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO^® Scores in the Exceptional range.

An 800-plus credit score shows lenders you are an exceptional borrower. You may qualify for better mortgage and auto loan terms with a high credit score. You may also qualify for credit cards with better rewards and perks, such as access to airport lounges and free hotel breakfasts.

Despite those high balances, it's equally important to note that those with high credit scores also have high credit card limits. For those with 800-plus scores, their average credit card limits are $69,346. That's up from the $58,514 average we found in May 2021.

Your 850 FICO® Score is nearly perfect and will be seen as a sign of near-flawless credit management. Your likelihood of defaulting on your bills will be considered extremely low, and you can expect lenders to offer you their best deals, including the lowest-available interest rates.

Since the length of your credit history accounts for 15% of your credit score, negative, minimal or no credit history can stop you from reaching an 800 credit score. To solve this problem, focus on building your credit. You can do this by taking out a credit-builder loan or applying for your first credit card.

Here are just a few advantages to having an 800+ credit score: You have a better chance at getting approved for a home loan. You may qualify for a low mortgage rate. You have more power to negotiate your interest rate and closing costs.

A 900 credit score may be the highest on some scoring models, but this number isn't always possible. Only 1% of the population can achieve a credit score of 850, so there's a certain point where trying to get the highest possible credit score isn't realistic at all.

A personal loan of $60,000 is a substantial amount of money. But, with an 800 credit score, you should qualify for a $60,000 personal loan. However, before you apply you will want to make sure the lender can offer a $60,000 personal loan. Most lenders have minimum and maximum loan amounts.

Credit scores help lenders decide whether to grant you credit. The average credit score in the United States is 698, based on VantageScore^® data from February 2021. It's a myth that you only have one credit score.

There are several actions you may take that can provide you a quick boost to your credit score in a short length of time, even though there are no short cuts to developing a strong credit history and score. In fact, some individuals' credit scores may increase by as much as 200 points in just 30 days.

How rare is a 850 credit score? ›

Only about 1.6% of the 232 million U.S. consumers with a credit score have a perfect 850, according to FICO's most recent statistics.

Yes. An Experian study found that as of 2019, 1.2% of all credit-holding Americans had a FICO score of 850. A perfect score generally requires years of exemplary financial behavior, like making on-time payments, keeping a low credit utilization ratio, and maintaining a long history of credit accounts.

A perfect credit score of 850 is hard to get, but an excellent credit score is more achievable. If you want to get the best credit cards, mortgages and competitive loan rates — which can save you money over time — excellent credit can help you qualify. “Excellent” is the highest tier of credit scores you can have.

The highest credit score you can have on the most widely used scales is an 850. For common versions of FICO and VantageScore, the scale ranges from 300 to 850 and lenders typically consider anything above 720 excellent credit.

Here's a quick look at how a good credit score can benefit you when you're buying a car. Lower interest rates. A good credit score — typically a score of 680 or higher — can help you secure a low interest rate from the dealer. In fact, taking your score from 600 to 780 could halve your rate.

Your credit score is a major factor in whether you'll be approved for a car loan. Some lenders use specialized credit scores, such as a FICO Auto Score. In general, you'll need at least prime credit, meaning a credit score of 661 or up, to get a loan at a good interest rate.

It's recommended you have a credit score of 620 or higher when you apply for a conventional loan. If your score is below 620, lenders either won't be able to approve your loan or may be required to offer you a higher interest rate, which can result in higher monthly payments.

What raises credit score? ›

Factors that contribute to a higher credit score include a history of on-time payments, low balances on your credit cards, a mix of different credit card and loan accounts, older credit accounts, and minimal inquiries for new credit.

If you have a FICO credit score over 800, your credit is considered exceptional—and according to Experian, 21 percent of consumers have credit scores in the 800 to 850 range. While getting an 850 credit score is difficult, a score above 800 seems like a more achievable goal.

You will likely need a minimum credit score of 660 for a $50,000 personal loan. Most lenders that offer personal loans of $50,000 or more require fair credit or better for approval, along with enough income to afford the monthly payments.

People with a credit score over 800 are also likely to be accepted for other lines of credit, including personal loans, mortgages and car loans.

You may be glad to know it doesn't. The size of your paycheck does not influence whether you have a good or bad credit score. “Income isn't considered in credit scoring systems,” John Ulzheimer, formerly of FICO and Equifax, tells CNBC Select.

For most credit-scoring models, including VantageScore 3.0 and FICO, the highest credit score possible is 850. We were able to speak to two Americans who belong to the exclusive FICO 850 Club: Brad Stevens of Austin, Texas, and John Ulzheimer of Atlanta.

The average consumer's FICO score was 714 in Q3 2021, up from 691 in 2023 and 687 in 2011. But that's just the national mean.

How this affects your score depends on how many total credit card accounts you have and your credit utilization rate on each one. But if you can reduce your total debt, a 40-point increase is not unreasonable.

In fact, some consumers may even see their credit scores rise as much as 100 points in 30 days. Learn more: Lower your credit utilization rate.

Can I raise my credit score 50 points in 30 days? ›

Someone with a low score is better positioned to quickly make gains than someone with a strong credit history. Paying bills on time and using less of your available credit limit on cards can raise your credit in as little as 30 days.

According to FICO, about 98% of “FICO High Achievers” have zero missed payments. And for the small 2% who do, the missed payment happened, on average, approximately four years ago. So while missing a credit card payment can be easy to do, staying on top of your payments is the only way you will one day reach 850.

A perfect score of 850 will give you bragging rights, but any score of 800 or up is considered exceptional and will give you access to the best rates on credit cards, auto loans, and any other loans.

While achieving a perfect 850 credit score is rare, it's not impossible. About 1.3% of consumers have one, according to Experian's latest data. FICO scores can range anywhere from 300 to 850.

Most people who have an 850 credit score have at least seven years of perfect payment history. Essentially, to get an 850 credit score, you just need to follow one simple strategy: make all of your payments on time for a long time.

A 750 credit score is Very Good, but it can be even better. If you can elevate your score into the Exceptional range (800-850), you could become eligible for the very best lending terms, including the lowest interest rates and fees, and the most enticing credit-card rewards programs.

While achieving a perfect 850 credit score is rare, it's not impossible. About 1.3% of consumers have one, according to Experian's latest data.

The average credit score in the United States is 698, based on VantageScore^® data from February 2021. It's a myth that you only have one credit score. In fact, you have many credit scores. It's a good idea to check your credit scores regularly.

Summary. Most lenders consider an 800 FICO^® Score to be an exceptional score. About 21.8% of America has a credit score higher than 800 points. If you have a credit score of 800, it likely means that you manage debt well and never miss a loan payment.

Is there a big difference between 800 and 850 credit score? ›

Still, the higher your credit score, the better your chances of locking in lower interest rates – with one caveat. Lenders generally don't distinguish between a score of 800 and 850.

Credit scores generally range from 300 to 850.