Perfect Credit: How to Get the Highest Credit Score
- The highest possible credit score for the most common types of scores is 850.
- Only about 1% of consumers have perfect credit scores.
- You can work toward a high credit score immediately after going through debt relief.
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What is the highest credit score possible? It depends on the type of credit score. The credit scores most of us are familiar with, as measured by FICO and VantageScore, range from 300 to 850, so a score of 850 is considered perfect credit. Some industry-specific credit scores and older credit scores range from 250 to 900. But most people mean 850 when they use the term “highest credit score” or “perfect credit score.”
Achieving perfect credit is challenging, and you might wonder whether it's worth the effort. Here's a closer look at what it means to have the highest credit score—and how to get it.
Freedom Debt Relief isn't a Credit Repair Organization and doesn't provide, or offer, services or advice to repair, modify, or improve your credit.
Does Anyone Have a Perfect Credit Score?
A small group of people in the U.S. have perfect credit scores. According to Experian, only 1.76% of the scorable population has a perfect 850 credit score. (Scorable means that you have enough credit history to generate a credit score.)
Experian identified the following differences between those with the highest credit scores and the average American:
| Characteristic | Average American | Those with a Perfect Credit Score |
|---|---|---|
| FICO Score | 714 | 850 |
| Credit Card Balance | $6,618 | $3,028 |
| Retail Card Balance | $1,180 | $188 |
| Number of Credit Cards | 3.7 | 5.7 |
| Credit Card Utilization | 28% | 4% |
| Mortgage Balance | $256,803 | $261,476 |
| Non-Mortgage Balance | $21,385 | $16,997 |
| Auto Loan Balance | $24,408 | $20,401 |
| Total Accounts Ever Delinquent | 1.6 | 0 |
Source: Experian.
Based on this, we can say that those with perfect credit have the following traits in common:
They pay on time. People with the highest credit score have no reported history of missed payments, collection accounts, or derogatory information (like bankruptcy). Even a single late payment could drop your credit score significantly, and it remains on your record for seven years.
They have low credit card utilization. People who have perfect credit scores don't avoid credit entirely. But they do keep their credit card balances very low overall. Their reported balances are typically less than 5% of their credit limit, and they pay it off each month. This shows lenders that they're living comfortably within their means.
They don't avoid debt altogether. Showing lenders that you can manage borrowed money responsibly is key to raising your credit score. If you have never taken out a loan or opened a credit card, you're a question mark to creditors, and that could make them wary of working with you.
Minnesota has the highest number of people with the highest credit scores in the U.S. According to 2025 data from FICO, 2.67% of the state’s population has a perfect credit score. Hawaii, Virginia, Maryland, and Wisconsin round out the top five states with highest credit scores.
These states also tend to fare better for things like healthier lifestyles and higher education levels. So there could be a correlation between those factors and the healthy credit habits that lead to higher scores.
Age and income don't directly affect your credit score calculations. But age could work in your favor since the older you are, the longer your credit history is likely to be. This gives lenders a greater insight into how you handle borrowed money.
Higher income doesn't guarantee a perfect score. You could achieve a perfect score with a low income, but of course, having a higher income makes it easier to pay your bills on time and keep credit card balances low—both of which are key if you want a perfect credit score.
Perfect vs. Average Credit
The average FICO credit score is 714, which is well below the perfect credit score of 850. In terms of where that puts you in the overall credit score range, 714 would be considered a good credit score by most measures.
A good credit score typically means it’s easier to get approved for credit when you need it. For example, a 714 should meet credit score requirements for credit cards, vehicle loans, or even a mortgage.
When it comes to costs, higher credit scores tend to bring costs down. Most lenders offer different prices to people with different scores. For example, someone with a 680 credit score might qualify for an 18% APR on a loan, while someone with an 820 credit score might qualify for a 10% APR on the same loan.
People with average credit scores are doing some things right with credit. However, they may also be doing things that keep them from reaching the highest credit score. For example, some may carry more credit card debt. Others may have a missed payment or two on their credit history that's costing them points.
5 Factors That Affect Your Credit Score
Five key factors determine your credit score. Understanding them is key if you want the highest credit score.
1. Payment history
Your payment history makes up 35% of your FICO credit score. This is why paying your bills on time is important. A history of late payments could reduce your score, though how much depends on several factors, including how late the payment was, how often you've made late payments, and how recently the late payments occurred. If you want the highest credit score possible, paying your bills on time is the single best thing you can do.
2. Amounts owed
This factor accounts for 30% of your FICO Score. It includes all of your debt, but the most important piece is your credit utilization ratio. That’s how much credit card debt you have, compared to your credit limit. For example, if you have a card with a $1,000 limit and a balance of $100, your credit utilization ratio for that card is 10%.
Generally, credit scores are inversely proportional to utilization—a fancy way of saying that as utilization goes up, credit score comes down. As you pay down your credit card bills, your score usually rises. These are generalizations, and there are many other factors affecting your scores. But paying down your credit cards could have a big impact.
3. Length of credit history
The average age of your accounts makes up 15% of your FICO Score. Average account age tends to rise over time, but there's no direct correlation between your age and your length of credit history. If you open new credit accounts or close old ones, your average account age could go down, even if you’re 100 years old.
Your scores could benefit if you apply for new credit sparingly and leave old credit accounts open.
4. Credit mix
Your credit mix accounts for 10% of your FICO Score. The “mix” is the variety of credit account types you have experience with. Credit has two main types: revolving debt and installment debt. Credit cards are an example of revolving debt—they don't have a fixed monthly payment, and balances could increase or decrease over time. Installment debt (such as most mortgages and car loans) has predictable monthly payments.
Having experience managing both types of credit could increase your credit score. But only using one type of credit doesn't cause the same level of harm as a late payment or maxed-out credit card.
5. New credit
The final 10% of your FICO credit score comes from new credit applications. Applying for new credit cards or loans when you need them is okay, but if you do it too often, that could be a sign that you’re in financial distress. That's why each new credit inquiry tends to drop your score a few points. Inquiries affect your credit score for one year, and the effect fades over that time.
If you’re looking for a mortgage, auto loan, or student loan, you get a shopping window. In that time, all credit inquiries from the same type of lender are counted as a single inquiry. The shopping window is 45 days under newer FICO models. Older FICO Scores (still used by some lenders) have a 30-day rate shopping window.
For VantageScore, all inquiries within 14 days, no matter what kind, are counted as one.
Industry-Specific Credit Scores vs. FICO Scores
While the FICO Score is the most popular by far, it's not the only kind of credit score you might encounter. FICO itself offers a number of industry-specific scores tailored for specific types of credit. For example, there are FICO Auto scores for auto loans and FICO Bankcard scores for credit cards. These scores range from 250 to 900.
There's also VantageScores. The three credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—put this model together as a competitor to FICO. It follows the same 300 to 850 score range, and it looks at the same factors FICO Scores look at. However, it weighs each factor a little differently.
You might also encounter "educational" credit scores that aren't associated with FICO or VantageScore. These are usually offered as part of a free credit score service. These are not scores that lenders use, and they may have their own scoring ranges. It's likely they look at many of the same factors, but unfortunately, it's not possible to gauge your FICO or VantageScore by looking at these.
If you're working on improving your credit or you plan to borrow money soon, it's a good idea to keep track of your FICO and VantageScores if you can. You may be able to access these for free through your credit card issuer, or through the credit bureaus themselves.
Pursuing Perfection: From Excellent to 850 Credit Score
Getting the highest credit score takes time, but it's entirely possible. If you'd like to raise your score to perfect credit status, here are some of the most effective ways.
1. Start building credit, if you aren't already
Your credit scores are based on the information in your credit report. The credit bureaus compile credit reports using details provided by your lenders.
If you don't have any credit accounts in your name, you need to open some to work toward perfect credit. You can:
Get a secured credit card
Become an authorized user on someone else's account
Get a credit builder loan.
Secured credit cards require a cash deposit to open. The amount of your deposit typically determines the amount of your credit limit. These cards can be a great way to build credit or repair it after a debt relief program. You use the card just like you would use any other credit card. If you make purchases, you get a bill. You can pay off the entire balance, or make a smaller payment (as long as it meets the minimum). After some time, you can apply for a traditional credit card and ask for your security deposit back.
Becoming an authorized user means someone else adds you to one of their credit card accounts. Make sure it’s one that gets reported to the major credit bureaus or it won’t help you build credit. You’re not responsible for paying off the balance when you’re an authorized user. If the primary cardholder keeps the balance low, pays on time, and the account is reported to the credit bureaus, you could see a positive impact on your credit scores.
A credit builder loan is available from some banks and credit unions. You don’t get the money up front like you would with a traditional loan. You make payments, and as you pay off the loan, the money is distributed to you. In the meantime, you’re establishing a payment history.
2. Pay on time
Payment history is the most critical factor in FICO Score calculations. If you're hoping to get a higher credit score, paying on time is a must.
Set up automatic payments to ensure you never miss a due date. You could also set a bill due date reminder in your calendar to track when credit card and loan payments are due.
If you miss a payment, stay calm and pay as soon as you remember. Most creditors won’t report the payment as late until it’s 30 days past due.
3. Keep balances low
People with perfect credit scores don't charge up loads of debt they can't pay off. You can follow their example by maintaining low credit utilization. Ideally, you want to keep your credit utilization ratio under 10%. Under 5% is even better.
You can calculate your credit utilization ratio by taking your monthly balance and dividing it by your credit limit. Then multiply by 100. For example if you have a $5,000 limit and a $1,000 balance, your credit utilization ratio is 20%.
If you're struggling to keep your credit utilization low, here are a few things that might help:
Pay your bills twice per month. Credit card issuers only report your balance to the credit bureaus once per month, so if you pay halfway through the month and again at the end, it will look as though you spent less than you actually did.
Pay in full whenever possible. Avoid carrying a balance from one month to the next. Paying what you owe in full helps you avoid costly interest charges that could lead to even more debt.
Request a credit limit increase: Increasing your credit limit could also reduce your credit utilization ratio. However, you should only do this if you feel you stand a good chance of getting approved and you can avoid charging new debt to the card.
If that isn't enough, debt settlement could be an option. This is when you negotiate with your creditors (either on your own or with the help of a company like Freedom Debt Relief) to get them to accept less than what you owe but consider it full payment.
4. Don't go overboard with credit applications
Opening a new credit card account might be tempting, especially when pre-approved offers land in your mailbox. But again, each new inquiry could ding your score, so it's essential to choose wisely when opening new cards.
This doesn't mean you have to limit yourself to one or two cards, though. Those with 850 credit scores had 5.7 credit cards on average. More available credit could work in your favor as long as you're careful not to charge more than you can afford to pay back at the end of the month.
That said, you don't want to run out and open five new cards at once. That would send up a major red flag to lenders. Limit yourself to opening a new card once every six months at the most. Waiting a year between credit card applications is even better.
5. Get experience with multiple types of credit
If you want a perfect 850 credit score, you have to show lenders you're capable of handling credit cards and installment loans like personal loans, mortgages, and auto loans. You may already have some of these, in which case your credit mix is probably helping your score.
If you have no need for an installment loan, you could opt for a credit builder loan instead. These loans are designed solely to help you boost your credit score by demonstrating an on-time payment history.
5. Check your credit regularly
Checking your own credit reports and scores doesn't hurt your score. One of the easiest ways to do this is through credit monitoring. You can also check your reports for free at AnnualCreditReport.com. This doesn't give you access to your scores, but the detailed breakdown it provides on all your credit accounts could help you identify areas for improvement.
It's also a good idea to review your reports regularly. There may be errors or inaccuracies in your reports that hurt your score, and you can have them corrected or removed. Contact the credit bureau and the financial institution associated with the incorrect information. Explain why you think the information is wrong, and provide copies of any documentation backing up your claim. For example, if a closed loan still shows as open, provide paperwork showing you paid it off.
That, along with the other tips outlined here, can be a simple and effective way to grow your score to 850.
Perfect Credit Score Impact on Financial Life
Having a perfect credit score is about more than just bragging rights. It can make other aspects of your life easier, including:
Borrowing money. Lenders are more likely to approve you for loans and offer you lower interest rates and better repayment terms if you have a high credit score. This could save you thousands of dollars in interest over the life of your loan.
Credit card rewards. Creditors are more likely to approve you for rewards cards with better perks if you have a high credit score. This goes for all types of cards, including cash back and travel rewards cards.
Insurance premiums. In many states, lenders can use your credit score when setting your home and auto insurance premiums. They claim this is a measure of risk, so a higher credit score could lead to a lower rate.
Renting an apartment. Some landlords look at credit when deciding whether to rent to you. A high credit score should put their mind at ease.
To be clear, you don't need a perfect credit score in order to enjoy these perks. If you have a score of about 670 or higher, most lenders and creditors are open to working with you.
Is Perfect Credit Really Worth Pursuing?
The idea of a perfect credit score is shrouded in misconceptions that can be discouraging or confusing to those who hope to achieve it. Some people believe you need a high income to pull it off, or that you have to avoid credit cards completely. But neither of those things is true.
Achieving a perfect credit score is an incredible achievement, and if you pull it off, you should definitely be proud of yourself. But that doesn't mean you should feel bad about your credit if you never get there. Most people don't, and that doesn't stop them from borrowing money or opening credit cards when they need to.
You can start working to improve your credit from wherever it is now, even if you're in a lot of debt. A debt settlement program like the one Freedom Debt Relief offers could help you get out from under your credit card debt so you can start building a better financial future. This can be hard on your credit in the short term, but once you graduate from a debt relief program, you can take the steps mentioned above to work toward that 850 score if you want.
It may take some time, but if you pay your bills on time, limit how much you charge on your credit cards, and apply for new loans and credit cards sparingly, you could improve your score.
Even if you do get that 850 credit score, it's not guaranteed to stay there forever. You have to continue doing exactly what you did to earn that score in the first place. That means staying on top of payments, limiting how much you charge to your cards, and applying for new loans and credit cards sparingly.
If you do all of that consistently, you stand a good chance at winding up with a high credit score that unlocks a lot of financial doors for you, whether it’s exactly 850 or not.
Debt relief stats and trends
We looked at a sample of data from Freedom Debt Relief of people seeking a debt relief program during September 2025. The data uncovers various trends and statistics about people seeking debt help.
Debt relief seekers: A quick look at credit cards and FICO scores
Credit card usage varies significantly across different age groups, reflecting diverse financial needs and habits.
In September 2025, the average FICO score for people seeking debt relief programs was 599.
Here's a snapshot by age group among debt relief seekers:
| Age group | Average FICO 9 credit score | Average Credit Utilization |
|---|---|---|
| 18-25 | 578 | 81% |
| 26-35 | 587 | 77% |
| 35-50 | 594 | 75% |
| 51-65 | 601 | 72% |
| Over 65 | 613 | 67% |
| All | 599 | 73% |
Use this data to evaluate your own credit habits, set financial goals, and ensure a balanced approach to managing credit throughout your life.
Collection accounts balances – average debt by selected states.
Collection debt is one example of consumers struggling to pay their bills. According to 2023, data from the Urban Institute, 26% of people had a debt in collection.
In September 2025, 30% of debt relief seekers had a collection balance. The average amount of open collection account debt was $3,203.
Here is a quick look at the top five states by average collection debt balance.
| State | % with collection balance | Avg. collection balance |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 23 | $4,899 |
| Montana | 24 | $4,481 |
| Kansas | 32 | $4,468 |
| Nevada | 32 | $4,328 |
| Idaho | 27 | $4,305 |
The statistics are based on all debt relief seekers with a collection account balance over $0.
If you’re facing similar challenges, remember you’re not alone. Seeking help is a good first step to managing your debt.
Tackle Financial Challenges
Don’t let debt overwhelm you. Learn more about debt relief options. They can help you tackle your financial challenges. This is true whether you have high credit card balances or many tradelines. Start your path to recovery with the first step.
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Author Information
Written by
Kailey Hagen
Kailey is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® Professional and has been writing about finance, including credit cards, banking, insurance, and retirement, since 2013. Her advice has been featured in major personal finance publications.
Reviewed by
Kimberly Rotter
Kimberly Rotter is a financial counselor and consumer credit expert who helps people with average or low incomes discover how to create wealth and opportunities. She’s a veteran writer and editor who has spent more than 30 years creating thousands of hours of educational content in every possible format.
Is a 900 credit score possible?
A 900 credit score may be possible with certain types of credit scores. But the credit scores most commonly used by lenders have a maximum score of 850. If you're looking at a different credit scoring model, you may need to research it to learn its maximum score.
Does anybody have an 850 credit score?
Yes, but less than 2% of the population has the highest credit score of 850. If you hope to join that 2%, pay your bills on time, keep your credit card balances low, limit how often you apply for new credit, and be patient. Credit scores take time to change, and it often takes years to build up to a perfect 850 score.
Is 750 a very good credit score?
A 750 credit score falls into the “Very Good” range as defined by FICO. A score in this range could help you qualify for rewards credit cards and lower interest rates on loans. But there's room for improvement if you want even better deals.
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