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.
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.
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.
You're within the good credit score range, which runs from 690 to 719. Your 700 score is better than 37.2% of consumers, according to credit scoring company FICO. FICO says 16.4% of consumers had scores from 700 to 749 in 2021.
But exceptional credit is largely based on how well you manage debt and for how long. Earning an 800-plus credit score isn't easy, he said, but “it's definitely attainable.”
According to a report by FICO, only 23% of the scorable population has a credit score of 800 or above.
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. The average score was 714, as of 2021.
A credit score of 1,000 is not possible because credit scoring models simply do not go that high. According to Experian, some credit scoring models reach upwards of 900 or 950, but those are industry-specific scores that are only used by certain institutions.
It's a trick question
That is, you aren't born with a credit score, nor are you automatically given one when you turn 18. According to the rules of the widely-used FICO® credit scoring method, you need to meet some basic requirements to be eligible for a credit score in the first place.
Some of the top examples include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, Norway, and Hong Kong. These are all countries that generally carry a credit rating of AAA.
There's no universal number that indicates a good score because each credit agency uses a different scoring system. Experian, for example, uses a range from 0 to 999. A score of between 881 and 960 is good, between 961 and 999 your score is excellent.
So, given the fact that the average credit score for people in their 20s is 630 and a “good” credit score is typically around 700, it's safe to say a good credit score in your 20s is in the high 600s or low 700s.
The perfect credit score number is 850. The highest FICO credit score you can have is 850, and the highest possible VantageScore is 850, too. That said, anything over 800 is basically perfect.
But your credit score won't start at zero, because there's no such thing as a zero credit score. The lowest score you can have is a 300, but if you make responsible financial decisions from the beginning, your starting credit score is more likely to be between 500 and 700.
While the exact range for a bad credit score in Australia can depend on the credit scoring model, usually a score between the range of 300-550 is considered a bad credit score.
FICO scores range from 300 to 850. While anything below 650 is considered problematic, a score of 700 or above is prime. Once you hit 700 “you may not get the best rates, but you'll typically qualify,” says Rod Griffin, director of consumer awareness at Experian.
They are Experian, Equifax and CIBIL. CIBIL is quite popular as it has been in the business for a long time. Non-Banking Financial Companies and banks use the credit score provided by CIBIL, Experian and Equifax to determine the potential risk of lending to a customer.
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 your credit report shows scores out of 1,200 then as a rule of thumb a score above 853 is excellent while above 661 is good. If your credit report shows scores out of 1,000, above 690 is excellent and above 540 is good.
It's generally recommended that you have two to three credit card accounts at a time, in addition to other types of credit. Remember that your total available credit and your debt to credit ratio can impact your credit scores. If you have more than three credit cards, it may be hard to keep track of monthly payments.
In your 20s and 30s, a good credit score is between 663 and 671, while in your 40s and 50s, a good score is around 682. To get the best interest rates, terms and offers, aim for a credit score in the 700s.