From Yahoo Finance: 2025-05-13 09:00:00

The average credit score for U.S. adults is around 715, with a maximum of 850. Achieving an 850 score is rare, with less than 2% of the population having perfect credit. Scores in the high 700s already qualify for the best credit cards and loans.

Older adults are more likely to have perfect credit due to longer credit histories and financial stability. However, excellent credit can be built at any age.

To improve your chances of a perfect credit score, maintain no missed debt payments, keep credit card balances under 5% of limits, and have an average debt account of 30 years.

Strategies to accelerate credit score growth include becoming an authorized user, applying for your own credit card, requesting annual limit increases, and making bi-weekly payments to keep credit utilization low.

Having an 850 credit score has no tangible benefits. Scores above 800 are essentially perfect, and FICO even considers scores as low as 670 to be good.

Focus on practical goals rather than fixating on a “perfect” 850 credit score. Consider what you plan to do with your credit in the near future and make improvements based on that.

A 780 credit score is very good in a range up to 850, allowing you to qualify for the best credit card and loan offers. Roughly 20% of people have credit scores between 800 and 850.

Read more: Is it possible to achieve a perfect credit score of 850?