Your credit score is one of the most important indicators of your financial health, and it plays a major role when lenders determine your eligibility for loans, interest rates and more. The FICO score, the most widely used credit score, ranges from 300 to 850, and many people view a credit score over 800 as ideal.
Here are some of the perks of having an 800 credit score and how to get an 800 credit score or higher. Yes, it is possible!
Getting an exceptional credit score of 800 in just 45 days may seem impossible, but with focus and dedication, it can be done. Having a credit score of 800 unlocks the best rates and terms from lenders and opens the door to prime borrowing opportunities. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to get your credit score to 800 in 45 days or less.
Why Get an 800 Credit Score?
- An 800 credit score is considered “exceptional” by FICO and places you in the top tier of borrowers.
- With an 800 score, you’ll qualify for the lowest interest rates from lenders, saving potentially thousands of dollars over the life of loans.
- You’ll have high approval odds for top rewards credit cards, premium travel cards, and exclusive financing offers.
- An 800 credit score signals to lenders that you are an extremely low-risk borrower who pays bills on time and manages credit responsibly.
10 Steps to Get to 800 in 45 Days
Follow these 10 steps to raise your credit score to 800 within 45 days:
1. Check your credit reports
Pull your credit reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion and dispute any errors you find Inaccurate information like late payments or collections that aren’t yours can drag down your scores
2. Pay down credit card balances
Pay off credit cards with the highest balances first to lower your overall credit utilization ratio. Experts recommend keeping utilization below 30%, and the lower the better
3. Make all payments on time
Set up autopay or payment reminders to avoid late payments, as these can severely hurt your scores. If you do make a late payment, call and request a goodwill deletion.
4. Pay off debt in collections
Contact collection agencies and pay off any debts in collections to remove these negative marks from your credit history.
5. Ask for credit limit increases
Request higher limits from issuers to lower your utilization ratios. Acceptable utilization helps boost your scores.
6. Become an authorized user
Ask a friend or family member with excellent credit to add you as an authorized user on one of their longstanding accounts.
7. Open a new credit card
Apply for a new credit card since mix of credit types helps your scores, but space out applications by at least 6 months.
8. Refinance loans
Consolidating high-interest debts with a refinance loan can simplify payments and improve your credit mix.
9. Add utility bills to your credit file
Services like Experian Boost let you add positive payment history from utility and telecom bills to your credit reports.
10. Monitor credit scores weekly
Check your credit score every 7-10 days to ensure your efforts are paying off and you’re on pace to hit 800.
Maintaining an 800 Credit Score
Once you hit 800, maintaining that high score involves:
- Paying all bills on time, every time
- Keeping credit utilization very low across all cards
- Leaving old accounts open to preserve credit history
- Limiting hard credit inquiries from new applications
- Monitoring credit reports frequently for errors
- Having a diverse mix of credit types in good standing
Final Tips for Getting to 800 Fast
- Get serious about an 800 credit score by committing to diligent credit management.
- Stay focused on paying down debts and disputing errors during the 45-day push.
- Be willing to make spending adjustments to free up more cash for debt payments.
- Don’t take on new debts during your 45-day sprint to 800.
- Celebrate your achievement with rewards once you reach your exceptional credit score goal!
Keep Your Credit Card Balances Low
Your credit utilization rate is another important element of your credit score. This rate is calculated by dividing your credit card balance by your credit limit. For example, if you have a $1,000 balance on a card with a $2,000 limit, your utilization rate is 50%.
Your utilization rate is calculated for each credit card and an aggregate across all your credit card accounts.
According to Experian, people in the 800 club have an average utilization rate of 11.5%.
In addition to the utilization rate on your credit cards, the FICO score also considers how much debt you have overall. If you’re overloaded with debt, it can negatively impact your credit score and make obtaining an 800 credit score difficult.
Unfortunately, there’s no hard-and-fast rule for how much you should borrow. But if you find that 50% or more of your monthly earnings go toward debt payments, you may want to consider paying off some accounts and avoiding more debt.
The third most influential factor in your credit score is the length of your credit history. In other words, it often takes several years to reach the 800 club. This is because the more information lenders have about how you manage debt and credit, the easier it is for them to determine whether you’d be a risky borrower.
As a result, practicing these good credit habits over time will help improve your odds of developing excellent credit.
Why a High Credit Score Matters
Excellent FICO scores fall within the 800-850 range. If your credit score is within this range, qualifying for a loan or credit line with a low interest rate could be more accessible.
While everyone’s situation differs, an 800 credit score generally means you’ve managed your credit lines and loans responsibly by making on-time payments. You also probably have an established credit history and a good mix of debt, and you’re likely using only a small amount of your available credit.
There are several perks of having an excellent credit score, primarily when you apply for financing but also in other areas of your life:
- Lower Interest Rates – Whether you’re applying for a loan or a credit card, you’ll often qualify for the best interest rates the lender offers because you’ve shown that you manage your debt well. Depending on the loan type, being in the “800 club” can save you thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars.
- Better Offers – If you’re looking for a new credit card, having an 800 credit score will improve your chances of getting some of the top credit cards reserved for people with excellent credit.
- Higher Credit Limits – Credit cards typically have a credit limit, which is often based on your credit score, income and other factors. The higher your credit score, the more the card issuer can trust you to pay off your monthly balance. As a result, you’ll typically qualify for higher credit limits.
- Better Insurance Rates – In states where it’s legal, most auto and homeowner’s insurance companies use your credit history to help determine your monthly premiums. And while they don’t use your FICO score — they use a credit-based insurance score similar to your FICO score — having excellent credit can improve your chances of scoring low insurance rates.
How to Get an 800+ Credit Score for $0!
FAQ
How to get an 800 credit score in 45 days?
- Check your credit report. …
- Pay your bills on time. …
- Pay off any collections. …
- Get caught up on past-due bills. …
- Keep balances low on your credit cards. …
- Pay off debt rather than continually transferring it.
How quickly can you get an 800 credit score?
If you’re new to the world of building credit, you might expect it to take several years before you hit the 800s, as scoring algorithms factor in not only financial responsibility over a long period, but also average and overall credit account age(s).
How can I raise my credit score fast 800?
- Obtain Your Credit Report and Resolve Any Discrepancies. …
- Analyze Your Credit Report for Areas of Improvement. …
- Establish a Strong Payment History. …
- Manage Your Credit Utilization. …
- Maintain a Mix of Credit Types. …
- Lengthen Your Credit History. …
- Monitor Your Credit Report and Credit Score.
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