November 28, 2023 |5 min read
According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), credit scores typically range from 300 to 850. That puts an 800 credit score near the top of most credit score ranges. But there still isn’t a universal answer to what a good credit score is. It all comes down to who’s judging the score and why.
Learn more about what having an 800 credit score might mean for you and some steps you can take to improve your credit scores.
Key takeaways
- Whether any credit score is considered good depends on the lender, loan and more.
- FICO® says a credit score of 800 is exceptional.
- VantageScore® says an 800 credit score is excellent.
- The CFPB says 800 is a superprime credit score.
- With responsible credit use over time, it’s possible to improve your credit scores. That means doing things like paying on time and staying below your credit limits.
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Sign up todayWhat does an 800 credit score mean?
There isn’t a definitive answer to what having an 800 credit score means. Some lenders may consider an 800 credit score to be a positive sign of a borrower’s creditworthiness. But it may fall short for certain loans.
The CFPB says credit scores generally start at 300 and go up to 850. This means that 800 falls on the higher end of most credit score ranges. The CFPB considers 800 to be a superprime credit score. And superprime is the highest credit score level the agency defines. Here’s how two commonly used credit scores classify a credit score of 800.
FICO and VantageScore credit score ranges
Both FICO and VantageScore have credit scores that range from 300 to 850. FICO says an 800 credit score falls in the exceptional range, which includes all scores 800 and up.
VantageScore says a credit score of 800 is an excellent score. Excellent VantageScore credit scores range from 781 to 850. This means that for both FICO and VantageScore, an 800 credit score lands in the highest category of their credit score ranges.
Here’s a closer look at how FICO and VantageScore categorize credit scores.
Source: MyFICO.com
Source: VantageScore.com
Benefits of an 800 credit score
Having a credit score of 800 or above may be beneficial when it comes to applying for credit. Here are a few ways a high credit score may benefit borrowers:
- Stronger approval odds: The CFPB says that having a higher credit score typically makes it easier to get a loan. That’s because lenders often use credit scores to help determine a borrower’s creditworthiness, or how likely someone is to pay back credit.
- Better terms: Having a high credit score may also help you get better loan terms, like a lower interest rate and a higher credit limit.
- Premium rewards: High credit scores may help you get approved for credit cards with premium rewards. That could mean a higher earn rate on cash back or miles, exclusive access to events and airport lounges, and more.
How to get and maintain an 800 credit score
Understanding what affects a credit score and how to use credit responsibly is a big part of maintaining or improving your credit scores. Here are some healthy credit habits.
Keep your credit utilization low
Your credit utilization ratio is a measure of how much of your total available credit you’re using. According to the CFPB, it’s a good idea to keep this ratio under 30%. So if your combined credit limit across all accounts is $10,000, that means using $3,000 or less at any given time.
Never miss a payment
It’s important to always pay on time. Missed or late paymentscan have a significant impact on your credit scores. In fact, payment history can make up 35% of your FICO score. Consider setting up automatic payments to help you avoid making late payments.
Think about your credit mix
Credit mix means having different types of credit accounts on your credit report. This can include revolving credit, like credit cards, and installment credit, like car loans and mortgages.
Monitor your credit
Monitoring your credit can help you find errors on your credit reports that may be affecting your credit scores. Plus, it can help you track how different financial decisions affect your credit.
CreditWise from Capital One offers an easy way to keep an eye on your credit. With CreditWise, you can access your TransUnion® credit report and VantageScore 3.0 credit score any time without hurting your score. It’s free for everyone, not just Capital One cardholders.
800 credit scores in a nutshell
According to FICO, 800 is an exceptional score. VantageScore says 800 is an excellent score. And the CFPB considers 800 to be a superprime score. But remember, there still isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to whether 800 is a good score or not. It depends on who’s judging the score and for what purpose.
Looking for a credit card built for people with excellent credit scores? Check out the Capital One Venture X card. Venture X is a travel card designed with elevated rewards, premium benefits and smart travel tools to take you further. If Venture X doesn’t sound right for you, you could compare other Capital One cards and then see if you’re pre-approved for offers before you apply. Pre-approval is quick and won’t hurt your scores.
