As of the third quarter of 2023, 1. 54% of U. S. consumers had a FICO Score of 850, according to Experian data. Some notable traits of consumers with a perfect credit score include an above average number of credit cards, lower credit utilization rate and lower than average total debt.
In many sports, its possible to play a game that can be counted as “perfect. ” Knock down 120 pins with 12 bowls in 10-pin bowling and youve bowled a perfect game. Retire all 27 batters and youve (usually) pitched a perfect game. And when it comes to credit, 850 is the highest the FICO® ScoresÎ scale goes.
For more and more U. S. consumers, practice is making perfect. According to recent Experian data, 1. 54% of consumers have a “perfect” FICO® Score of 850. Thats up from 1. 31% two years earlier.
Credit scores are three-digit numbers that give lenders a quick snapshot of your creditworthiness The most widely used credit scoring model is the FICO score, developed by Fair Isaac Corporation But there is some confusion around whether the FICO score goes up to 850 or 900. Let’s demystify FICO score ranges and what those numbers really mean.
The Standard FICO Score Range: 300-850
The standard FICO score range is 300-850. Most lenders use this base FICO score to decide if you can get loans, credit cards, mortgages, and other types of credit.
Here is how the FICO score range breaks down:
- 300-579: Poor
- 580-669: Fair
- 670-739: Good
- 740-799: Very Good
- 800-850: Exceptional
The higher your FICO score, the better your creditworthiness in the eyes of lenders. A score of 850 is considered perfect credit. Only 1.4% of consumers have reached this pinnacle, according to Experian data.
Getting an 850 FICO score shows lenders that you pose almost no risk of defaulting on credit. As a result, you can qualify for the best possible loan terms and interest rates.
Industry-Specific FICO Scores Go Up to 900
Although the standard FICO score tops out at 850, there are industry-specific FICO scores that go up to 900. These scores are tailored for credit card issuers, auto lenders and other industries to predict the risk of a borrower defaulting on that specific type of credit account.
Some examples of industry-specific FICO scores include:
- FICO Bankcard Score: Ranges from 250-900, used by credit card companies
- FICO Auto Score: Ranges from 250-900, used by auto lenders
These industry-specific scores are not as widely used as the standard 300-850 FICO range. But they allow lenders to make more customized creditworthiness assessments.
A 900 FICO industry score indicates the borrower poses almost no risk of defaulting specifically on that type of account. But it does not necessarily equal a perfect 850 base FICO score.
What Does a 900 Credit Score Really Mean?
A 900 credit score is the highest possible score on certain industry-specific FICO scoring models. But what does it actually signify?
There are a few key things to know about 900 credit scores:
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A 900 doesn’t equal perfect credit. It doesn’t always mean that you have a perfect 850 FICO score. A person with a 900 industry score might have a base score between 300 and 850.
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It’s harder to achieve than an 850. Only 0.4% of consumers have a 900 score, compared to 1.4% with a base score of 850. It indicates pristine credit management specific to that lending category.
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You probably don’t have one. Unless you are an exceptionally low-risk borrower with a long and flawless credit history, you likely don’t have any 900 credit scores. They are very rare.
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An 850 gets the same perks. There is no added benefit to having a 900 score over an 850 base FICO score. You will qualify for the best possible lending terms either way.
Technically, a credit score of 900 is possible, but most people don’t need or can’t get it. Instead, work on raising your average FICO score so that it is in the Very Good or Exceptional range.
Characteristics of Exceptional Credit Scores
What can you do to get to the top of an 850 FICO or 900 industry score? People who have great credit tend to have these traits:
- Low balances: Less than 10% credit utilization across all accounts
- No missed payments: Zero late or missed payments ever
- Long credit history: 15+ years of active credit accounts
- Mix of credit types: Mortgages, credit cards, auto loans, etc.
- Limited new credit: Few recently opened accounts
Essentially, an exceptional credit score comes from consistently demonstrating responsible credit management over many years. Pay all bills on time, maintain low balances, and only take on new credit when needed.
Tips to Reach an 850 FICO Score
Shooting for a perfect 850 FICO score takes time and diligent credit management. But you can get there by following these tips:
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Check credit reports: Monitor all three bureaus for errors that could be lowering your scores.
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Pay on time: Set up autopay and reminders to never miss a payment deadline.
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Lower utilization: Keep balances low across all credit cards and loans.
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Don’t close old accounts: Keep aging credit lines open to build a long credit history.
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Limit hard inquiries: Only apply for credit when needed to avoid too many inquiries.
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Build diverse credit: Open different loan types – mortgages, credit cards, personal loans, etc.
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Dispute errors: Correct any mistakes on your credit reports.
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Watch for score changes: Check your FICO score regularly to catch any drops.
Reaching 850 takes diligence, but the financial benefits are worthwhile. Even scores in the Very Good range reap many of the same advantages.
The Bottom Line
While the FICO score typically ranges from 300-850, some industry-specific FICO models go up to 900. But an elusive 900 credit score does not guarantee flawless credit across the board. Exceptional base FICO scores of 800+ receive the same lending perks.
Focus on consistently demonstrating responsible borrowing behavior – like low balances, zero missed payments, and long credit history. This is what really moves the needle on your scores. With time and diligence, you can climb into that top tier of 850 or 900 credit scores.
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ÎCredit score calculated based on FICO® Score 8 model. You might get a different FICO® Score from FICO® Score 8 from your lender or insurance company. They might even use a different type of credit score. Learn more.
In this update, well discuss the who, where and why of perfect FICO® Scores.
More Perfect Credit Scores in Midsize Metros
In 50 of the 374 metropolitan areas in the U. S. , more than 2% of consumers have perfect scoresâsignificantly higher than the 1. 54% national average. There are three types of metros found in the top 10:
- Midsize cities close to larger cities. For example, Boulder, Colorado, is next to Denver, Colorado, which is a bigger city, and Corvallis, Oregon, is just down the road from Portland, Oregon, which is also a bigger city.
- Large metrosâsuch as Washington, D. C. such as the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, where well-paid industries like defense and information technology make up a big part of the economy.
- Cities like Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Madison, Wisconsin, that are in states with a lot of perfect scores
- The five cities in California that have the highest percentage of people with perfect credit are all in the state. About one in forty people in California have a FICO® Score of 850.
Rounding out the other top 10 metros are Corvallis, Oregon; Boulder, Colorado; Minneapolis; Honolulu; and Ocean City, New Jersey.
| Metro Areas With Highest Concentration of Perfect Credit Scores | |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, California | 2.51% |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, California | 2.48% |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, California | 2.47% |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, California | 2.43% |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, California | 2.42% |
| Corvallis, Oregon | 2.38% |
| Boulder, Colorado | 2.35% |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, Minnesota | 2.32% |
| Honolulu, Hawaii | 2.31% |
| Ocean City, New Jersey | 2.31% |
Source: Experian data as of September 2023
Secret FICO Credit Score Goes To 900!
FAQ
Can a 900 FICO score be a good credit score?
Naturally, that means that a credit score of 900 is the best that can be achieved, which is higher than the credit scores of most people. So even though a 900 Fico score is technically possible, there’s a very good chance you don’t have one, and never will.
Does a 850 FICO® score make a difference?
While it’s true that having a high FICO® Score can increase your access to more affordable credit, an all-consuming focus on trying to have a “perfect” 850 FICO® Score won’t really change how lenders look at you as compared to other high scoring applicants.
What is a good FICO ® score?
FICO® score ranges vary — either from 300 to 850 or 250 to 900, depending on the scoring model. The higher the score, the better your credit. Let’s take a deeper look at FICO ® score ranges, what’s considered to be a good FICO ® score, and how to improve your credit if your scores fall on the lower end of the scoring spectrum. How’s your credit?.
Do you have a “high achiever” personality with an 850 FICO® score?
Anyone with a “high achiever” personality who wants to raise their good credit score to the “perfect” level of an 850 FICO® Score should pay attention to the following credit behaviors we saw in people with an 850 FICO® Score in April 2019:
Are all FICO scores the same?
Not all FICO scores are the same. The standard FICO score is between 300 and 850, but some industries use different scoring models that better show how risky a borrower is for certain types of credit. These industry-specific FICO scores range from 250 to 900 and place more emphasis on factors relevant to the type of loan being considered.
What is a FICO ® score maximum?
Many of us are simply trying to attain (or maintain) a “good” score of between 670 – 779. So why are we even bringing up the topic of a FICO ® Score maximum? Two reasons, really. The first is the fact that knowing the highest possible FICO Score might teach you something new about FICO Scores in general.
Has anyone got a 900 credit score?
A 900 credit score is typically only possible when auto lenders or credit card issuers use the older industry-specific FICO® Bankcard Score model.Mar 28, 2025
Is FICO score out of 850 or 900?
The base FICO® Scores range from 300 to 850, and the good credit score range is 670 to 739.
Does anyone get an 850 FICO score?
Is It Possible to Get an 850 Credit Score? Yes. An Experian study found that as of 2023, 1.54% of all credit-holding Americans had a FICO score of 850.May 2, 2025
Is credit score out of 800 or 900?
A credit score is a number, generally between 300 and 900, that helps determine your creditworthiness.