The best credit score that you can have is 850, as the credit score range goes from a low of 300 to a high of 850. Less than 2% of people have the best credit score possible, and even if you manage your finances perfectly, you still may not achieve it. Fortunately, it’s not something you need to strive for, either.
Everyone with a credit score of 800+ actually has “perfect credit.” That’s because a score of 800 or better is generally all you need to get the best possible credit cards, loans, insurance premiums, etc. In other words, a higher score won’t save you more money once you join the 800+ club.
Check Your Credit Score – 100% Free
You can see how close you are to perfect credit and the best possible rating by checking your latest credit score for free right here on WalletHub. Below, you can also learn more about the best credit score, including what it takes to earn it and what it gets you.
How Rare Is an 850 Credit Score?
Having a credit score of 850 means you’ve reached the very top of the credit score scale. The following table will give you a sense of just how much of a rarity that is.
| Credit Rating | Credit Score Range | Percentage of Consumers |
| Best Credit Score | 850 | 1.76% |
| Perfect Credit | 800-849 | 21.24% |
| Very Good Credit | 740-799 | 27.5% |
| Good Credit | 670-739 | 20.4% |
| Fair Credit | 580-669 | 14.9% |
| Bad Credit | 300-579 | 14.2% |
Note: The average credit score is 715 based on the FICO credit scoring model and 702 using the VantageScore model. These scores both fall in the good credit range.
Source: Experian
Good Credit vs. the Best Credit Score
While good credit can get decent approval odds and interest rates for things like credit cards and loans, having an 850 credit score can get you much more. The table below compares the difference between good credit and the very best credit.
| Category | Good Credit Score | Best Credit Score |
| Score | 670-739 | 850 |
| % of Population | 20% | 2% |
| Average Credit Utilization | 39% | 4% |
| Credit Card & Loan Approval Odds | Good chance of approval | The highest chance of approval |
| Average Credit Card Interest Rate | 23.26% | 17.11% |
Source: Experian/WalletHub
Learn more about good credit and the best credit scores.
What the Best Credit Score Gets You
A score of 800+ gives you access to the best the credit world has to offer. A score in this range demonstrates that you’ve made good choices in every aspect of your financial life, and lenders will essentially see you as a “no-risk” client.
With the best credit score, you’ll enjoy:
- The best deals on credit cards and loans. With great responsibility comes great offers. You’ll have an interest rate around 5% lower than the average person, along with higher credit lines and more valuable rewards. Getting approved should be no issue.
- Lower insurance premiums. Financial trustworthiness is an attractive trait from an insurer’s perspective. On car insurance alone, the average person with no credit can pay up to 102% more than someone with excellent credit.
- More job options. Employers can’t check your credit score. However, they can pull a version of your credit report, upon which the score is based, if you let them. Having the best credit history possible will serve almost like a character reference.
How to Get the Best Credit Score
Learn From Your Credit Analysis
Analyzing your credit score can help you understand your current finances and what changes you need to make to get you to the best credit score. If you want help with your credit score, WalletHub provides a free personalized credit analysis with advice on how to improve your score and how long it will take.
But that alone isn’t enough. You also need to adopt other responsible habits and make good decisions on a daily basis. The tips below can help you get there.
Never Miss a Payment
Your payment history is the biggest factor in determining your credit score. When you are 30+ days late on your bills, it can leave a big blemish on your credit history. You need to pay on time every time in order to reach the top. Setting up autopay can help you avoid missing a payment.
Keep Your Credit Utilization Low
About 20% of your credit score calculation focuses on your credit utilization ratio, or the percentage of your credit limit that you're using. You should aim to use less than 30% of your available credit, but 1-10% is what will really grow your score.
Build a Long Credit History
The length of your credit history and the average amount of time you’ve had each account are factors that affect your credit score. Don’t close accounts unless you really need to, because even having them open but unused will grow your credit history and show lenders you are a responsible borrower.
Just make sure your card issuer won’t close your account due to inactivity. If they will, making small regular purchases and paying them off in full every month can keep your account open and boost your credit score.
Add to Your Credit Mix
Your credit mix, or the different types of credit accounts you’ve used, helps to determine your credit score. People with an 850 credit score tend to have at least 4 different kinds of credit accounts or 21 total accounts, according to WalletHub data.
Track Your Progress
It’s important to stay on top of your credit score to make sure you are making improvements. By joining WalletHub for free, you can review daily updates to your credit score and report as well as enjoy 24/7 credit monitoring.
To learn more, check out WalletHub’s complete guide on how to improve your credit score.
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