900 Credit Score: Possible or Not? | Chase (2024)

Highlights:

  • While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score.
  • The highest score you can receive today is 850.
  • Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.

A credit score of 900 is not possible, but older scoring models that are no longer used once went up to 900 or higher. The highest possible credit score you can get now is 850. If you’re curious about your current credit score and how you may achieve a higher one you can enroll in Chase Credit Journey®, a free, online credit monitoring tool available to Chase and non-Chase customers.

In this article, we will review:

  • What the highest credit score is
  • Credit score ranges by scoring model
  • What factors affect your credit score?
  • Benefits of having an exceptional score

What is the highest credit score?

According to the current scoring models, the highest credit score you can receive is 850, but essentially any score in the 800 range is considered to be an exceptional score. There may be some light differences when it comes to specific ranges for both the VantageScore® and the FICO score®. Let’s review them below.

Credit score ranges by scoring model

Both the VantageScore and FICO score models range from a low of 300 to a high of 850. They are both categorized into ranges from low to high credit scores. As you can see in the scoring models below, achieving a 900 score is not possible today.

The VantageScore credit score ranges are:

  • Excellent: 781 to 850
  • Good: 661 to 780
  • Fair: 601 to 660
  • Poor: 500 to 600
  • Very Poor: 300 to 499

For FICO, the credit score ranges are:

  • Exceptional: 800+
  • Very Good: 740 to 799
  • Good: 670 to 739
  • Fair: 580 to 669
  • Poor: 579 and below

What factors affect your credit score?

A credit score is calculated based on a variety of factors. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Payment history: This factor represents 40% of your VantageScore and 35% of your FICO score. This accounts for the consistency and timeliness of your bill payments over time.
  • Credit utilization: This segment accounts for 20% of your VantageScore and 30% of your FICO score. Credit utilization tallies the amount you owe compared to the credit you have available across all open credit accounts.
  • Length of credit history: This category adds up to 15% of value toward your VantageScore and FICO score. This segment considers the age of your oldest and youngest accounts. Credit agencies also factor the average age of all your accounts into this segment. They may note your usage rate for these accounts as well.
  • Credit mix: Credit mix indicates the types of credit you have. These may include installment loans, credit cards or mortgages, but it's not necessary to have all kinds of credit. But it may be beneficial for your score if you have more than one. Credit bureaus often look to see if you have a mix of revolving loans and installment loans.
  • New credit accounts: This includes the total number of new credit accounts and loans you’ve opened or applied for recently. Note that opening too many accounts at the same time can work against you here.

Benefits of having an exceptional score

You don’t need to have a perfect score. Just with a good score you may enjoy the benefits described below:

  • Having more room to negotiate for better terms/rates
  • Eligibility for more premium credit cards that could come with better earning rewards, perks and special benefits on travel
  • Receiving higher credit limits that grant you more purchasing power
  • Higher odds of approval for important life decisions like renting an apartment
  • A good impression on a potential employer who may run a credit check

Remember, a "perfect" score may be highly unlikely for you to achieve no matter which scoring model is used. To land in the top range — and be considered "exceptional” by the credit bureaus — there are some essential financial practices you should meet on a consistent basis, such as:

In summary

While 900 is no longer a credit score you can achieve today, you can still put in your best efforts to achieve an exceptional score of 800 or higher. Whether you’re looking to improve your score over time or challenge yourself to achieve something exceptional, enrolling in Credit Journey® will help you track your progress. Remember, your overall financial behavior and relationship with credit are key factors in helping you achieve your desired credit score.

900 Credit Score: Possible or Not? | Chase (2024)

FAQs

900 Credit Score: Possible or Not? | Chase? ›

Highlights: While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.

What's the lowest credit score possible? ›

What is the lowest credit score possible? Generally, credit scores range from 300 to 850, making 300 the lowest possible credit score. But it's important to note that you typically have more than one credit score. And they may differ depending on the credit-scoring company and when they were calculated.

Is it possible to go from poor to excellent credit score? ›

Can you fix bad credit? Absolutely – there are plenty of things you can do to improve your credit score! Each time you apply for credit, a hard credit check will be recorded on your report and your score will dip. So it's wise to spread out your applications and only apply for credit you're likely to get.

Can you have a 1000 credit score? ›

A credit score of 1,000 is not possible because the standard credit score range used by FICO and VantageScore is 300 to 850. Other credit scoring models have a high of 900 or 950, but they are industry-specific and only used by certain financial institutions.

What is the highest credit score you can possibly have? ›

Read on to learn more. Generally speaking, the highest credit score possible is 850, according to the most common FICO and VantageScore credit models. There are several factors that go into determining a credit score, such as payment history, amounts owed, length of credit history, credit inquiries and credit mix.

How bad is a zero credit score? ›

Lenders evaluate people based on how they've used credit in the past. An empty credit report with no evidence of a borrowing history signals to lenders that you're inexperienced. That makes lenders nervous and increases the chances they will deny you for credit like a car loan, credit card or mortgage.

What credit score do you start with? ›

There's no such thing as a starting credit score. However, there are minimum requirements for generating your very first credit score. According to FICO, the minimum requirements are: You must have at least one credit account or loan open for a minimum of six months.

Can I pay someone to fix my credit? ›

While working with a credit repair company can be a good option for improving your credit score, it's just one of many possible solutions, and it won't be the right fit for everyone. Outside of trying to repair your credit on your own, you can consider seeking credit counseling or a debt settlement company.

How rare is a 900 credit score? ›

It's exceedingly rare for anyone to have a credit score over 900, as most credit scoring models have a maximum limit of 850, and even achieving that score is uncommon.

When did 900 credit score go away? ›

At first, the VantageScore used a very different scoring range, 501–900, but in 2013 it changed its range to be the same as FICO: 300–850. Both use similar scoring factors, although the VantageScore places more weighting emphasis on the length of an individual's credit history.

How rare is 843 credit score? ›

Your 843 FICO® Score falls in the range of scores, from 800 to 850, that is categorized as Exceptional. Your FICO® Score is well above the average credit score, and you are likely to receive easy approvals when applying for new credit. 21% of all consumers have FICO® Scores in the Exceptional range.

Who has a 999 credit score? ›

A credit score of 999 from Experian is the highest you can get. It usually means you don't have many marks on your credit file and are very likely to be accepted for a loan or credit card.

What is a good credit score to buy a car? ›

Your credit score is a major factor in whether you'll be approved for a car loan. Some lenders use specialized credit scores, such as a FICO Auto Score. In general, you'll need at least prime credit, meaning a credit score of 661 or up, to get a loan at a good interest rate.

What is the average credit score in America? ›

What is the average credit score? The average FICO credit score in the US is 717, according to the latest FICO data. The average VantageScore is 701 as of January 2024. Credit scores, which are like a grade for your borrowing history, fall in the range of 300 to 850.

Is it possible to have 0 credit score? ›

Fortunately, no one's credit score can equal zero – the range for FICO scores is 300-850 – and even people with poor or bad credit have a credit score of at least 300. A “no credit score” means there is insufficient information for a credit score calculator to compute a score.

Who has a 0 credit score? ›

First off, it's important to understand that credit scores of zero do not exist.

Can your credit score be 1? ›

That's because your credit score doesn't start at zero. In fact, the lowest possible score from FICO® and VantageScore® is 300. But unless you've had some recent trouble with on-time payments or high spending, your score likely won't be that low.

How bad is a 450 credit score? ›

Your score falls within the range of scores, from 300 to 579, considered Very Poor. A 450 FICO® Score is significantly below the average credit score. Many lenders view consumers with scores in the Very Poor range as having unfavorable credit, and may reject their credit applications.

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