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? ›

An 800 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.

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.

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.

Twenty-three percent of Americans have a credit score between 800 and 850, considered "exceptional" by FICO. A credit score at the top of that range -- 850 -- is considered a perfect score. Twenty-four percent have a FICO® Score between 750 and 799, making the "very good" bracket.

Highlights: While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.

With an 800 credit score, you're already in the highest possible range, meaning that you should get the best rates lenders are able to offer. Still, there are some ways to boost your score even higher and strengthen your mortgage application. For one, you can focus on improving your debt-to-income ratio, or DTI.

Buying a car with an 800 credit score

And with auto loans, your high credit score can make even more of a difference. On a 60-month new car loan, the average borrower with a credit score of 720 or higher gets a 5.52% APR as of October 2022. With a score in the 660-689 range, the average rate is 9.14%.

Membership in the 800+ credit score club is quite exclusive, with fewer than 1 in 6 people boasting a score that high, according to WalletHub data.

How rare is an 800 credit score? An 800 credit score is not as rare as most people think, considering that roughly 23% of adults have a credit score in the 800-850 range, according to data from FICO. A score in this range allows consumers to access the best credit card offers and loans with the most favorable terms.

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.

What is the average US credit score? ›

The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850.

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 mortgage payments.

What is a good credit score for your age? You might consider your score to be good if it meets or exceeds the average for your peers, but that isn't the best gauge. Following NerdWallet's general guidelines, a good credit score is within the 690 to 719 range on the standard 300-850 scale, regardless of age.

A perfect FICO credit score is 850, but experts tell CNBC Select you don't need to hit that target to qualify for the best credit cards, loans or interest rates.

Although a lot of people might like the idea of a perfect credit score, they'd likely have a hard time actually achieving it. In the U.S., only about 1.7 percent of the scorable population had a perfect 850 FICO credit score in April 2023, according to FICO data.

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.

If you want an excellent score, however, you must do more. For an 800 score, the rule of thumb is to keep your revolving balances at or below 10% of your credit limit. (People with credit scores of 800 or above only use 7% of credit lines on average.)

How many Americans have an 850 credit score? Only 1.31% of Americans with a FICO® Score have a perfect 850 credit score. While a score this high is rare among any demographic, older generations are more likely to have perfect credit. Baby boomers make up a whopping 59.4% of the people with an 850 credit score.