Lenders use your credit score to determine whether to approve you for credit cards, personal loans, mortgages and other financial products. Your score can also affect how much you pay for insurance and whether you get a lease on an apartment.
It's a three-digit number that ranges from 300 to 850. A score of 800 or above is considered "exceptional" credit — the top tier.
Find out how to do it, how rare an accomplishment it is and what it really means for your finances.
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How many people have an 800 credit score?
According to Experian, nearly a quarter of U.S. consumers (23%) had a FICO® ScoreΘ of at least 800 in March 2025, up from 21.2% in 2023.
In fact, consumers with exceptional credit were the second-largest segment after those with "very good" credit (740 to 799). That's encouraging, given that Americans are carrying an average of more than $6,500 in credit card debt.
- Exceptional (800-850): 23.0%
- Very good (740-799): 27.5%
- Good (670-739): 20.4%
- Fair (580-669): 14.9%
- Poor (300-579): 14.2%
Based on FICO® Score 8 in March 2025
What an 800 credit score means
FICO and VantageScore are the two major credit scoring companies in the U.S, although FICO is far more popular. (It's used in 90% of lending decisions.) A FICO Score of 800 will make it much easier for you to be approved for credit cards, loans and mortgages at the best interest rate and terms.
But the reality is, a credit score of 760 will also put you in the top credit tier in most cases. And your score will undoubtedly fluctuate as you make purchases, take out new loans and pay down your debts. The exact digit is less important than the range, so focus on paying your bills on time and limiting how much credit you're accessing.
How to get an 800 credit score
If you're determined to get an 800 (or better), FICO considers five factors when calculating your credit score:
Payment history (35%): This is the most important factor, so make sure your payments are made on time and in full. According to a LendingTree analysis of 100,000 credit reports, 100% of borrowers with an 800 or higher always paid their bills on time. Schedule reminders when they're due and, if you have the funds, set your accounts to autopay.
Credit utilization (30%): The second largest factor in your score is the amount of credit you use compared to your total credit limit across all revolving accounts. Experts recommend keeping your ratio below 30%, but according to Lending Tree's survey, the average ratio for consumers with credit scores of 800 or higher was just 5.5%.
Reducing your debt load is ideal, but you can also request a higher credit limit, so long as you don't use it.
Credit history (15%): How old is your oldest account? Having a longer credit history tells lenders you have experience successfully managing debt. Avoid canceling your oldest credit card and be selective about getting new cards
Credit mix (10%): Having different types of credit — credit cards, student loans, an auto loan and a mortgage, for example — will tip the scales in your favor. But it's not worth taking on debt just to boost your score.
New inquiries (10%): Be selective about adding new lines of credit, and don't apply for too many cards or other products in a short period.
Track your credit with credit monitoring and ID protection
Best credit cards for an 800 credit score
Having a credit score of 800 gives you access to some of the best credit cards on the market, with lower APRs, more rewards and better welcome bonuses.
The Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card packs a punch for a $95 annual fee card, offering annual travel credits, comprehensive travel protections, flexible rewards and more.
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Long list of travel and shopping protections
- Annual Chase Travel hotel credit
- Has an annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Enjoy benefits such as 5x on travel purchased through Chase TravelSM, 3x on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 3x on top streaming services and online groceries (excluding Walmart, Target, and wholesale clubs), 2x on all other travel purchases, 1x on all other purchases
- Earn up to $100 in statement credits each account anniversary year for hotel stays through Chase Travel
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Collision Damage Waiver, Emergency Evacuation and Transportation and more
- Get a year of complimentary Apple TV when activated by December 31, 2026 - a value of $156.
- Complimentary DashPass which unlocks $0 delivery fees & lower service fees for 12 months when you activate by 12/31/27. Plus, a $10 promo each month on non-restaurant orders.
- Receive one statement credit of up to $120 every four years as reimbursement for the application fee charged to your card for a Global Entry, TSA Precheck® or NEXUS application.
- Transfer points to leading airline and hotel loyalty programs
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
For a generous welcome bonus, Chase Sapphire Preferred® (see rates and fees) offers 75,000 bonus points after you spend $5,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. Cardholders also earn 5X points on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠, 3X points on dining, 3x on vacation homes, 3x on gas & EV charging, 2X points on all other travel purchases and 1X on all other purchases.
Chase Sapphire Preferred is also a top choice for travel protection, with trip cancellation/interruption insurance, trip delay reimbursement, baggage delay insurance and emergency assistance services.
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