While achieving a perfect 850 credit score is rare, its not impossible. About 1.3% of consumers have one, according to Experians latest data.
FICO scores can range anywhere from 300 to 850. The average score was 714, as of 2021.
The few people who do manage to achieve perfect credit scores tend to share three key traits, according to Experians latest analysis.
Your credit score is one of the most important numbers in your financial life. It impacts everything from whether you can get approved for credit cards and loans to how much interest you’ll pay. So is a credit score of 836 good or bad?
The short answer is that a FICO credit score of 836 is considered exceptional. It puts you in the top tier of credit scores, meaning you have excellent credit management habits. An 836 credit score will qualify you for the best rates and terms on loans and credit cards.
What is a Good Credit Score?
FICO credit scores range from 300 to 850 The average credit score in the United States is between 690 to 719, according to Experian Here’s how scores are graded
- 800-850: Exceptional
- 740-799: Very Good
- 670-739: Good
- 580-669: Fair
- 300-579: Very Poor
So a score of 836 clearly falls into the exceptional range. Less than 1% of consumers have credit scores this high. With this score, you can qualify for the lowest interest rates from lenders.
What Does an 836 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 836 means you have a near perfect credit history. This score indicates:
- No late or missed payments on your credit report
- Low credit utilization – you use less than 30% of available credit limits
- A long credit history with a variety of account types (credit cards, loans, etc.)
- No collections, charge-offs, bankruptcies or other public records
- Limited credit inquiries from opening new accounts
Essentially an 836 credit score demonstrates that you are an extremely reliable borrower with little to no risk of defaulting on debts. Lenders will have no reservations approving you for new credit at the best rates.
How to Improve Your 836 Credit Score
With an 836 credit score, there’s little room for improvement. But here are some tips to get potentially get it closer to a perfect 850:
- Keep credit card balances low. Stay under 10% of the credit limit on each card.
- Don’t open too many new credit accounts. New accounts lower your average account age.
- Monitor your credit report for errors or suspicious activity. Dispute any issues found.
- Don’t close your oldest credit accounts as this reduces your credit history length.
- Ask for credit limit increases on existing accounts to keep utilization low.
The key is avoiding any behaviors that demonstrate increased credit risk, like late payments or high balances. Focus on keeping your exceptional credit management habits.
Benefits of an 836 Credit Score
A credit score of 836 qualifies you for the best loan terms and credit card rewards, including:
- Low interest rates on mortgages, auto loans and personal loans
- High credit limits and exclusive rewards cards
- 0% intro APR offers on balance transfers and purchases
- No security deposits required for utilities, cell phone plans, etc.
You’ll have your choice of lenders competing for your business. And you can save substantially on interest costs over the lifetime of loans and credit accounts.
An 836 FICO score also indicates financial stability and responsibility. Landlords and employers may look at your credit as part of applications. Excellent credit can help demonstrate you are reliable and trustworthy.
Maintaining an Exceptional 836 Credit Score
The work doesn’t stop after you’ve achieved an amazing credit score. Consistent, prudent habits are required to maintain an 836 FICO score long-term. Be sure to:
- Pay all bills on time each month
- Keep credit utilization below 30% on all accounts
- Monitor credit reports from each bureau for errors
- Limit credit applications to 2-3 times per year
- Don’t close old credit card accounts unnecessarily
Also consider signing up for credit monitoring or identity theft protection services. These provide alerts that let you address any suspicious activity or inaccuracies on your credit file right away.
A score of 836 is an impressive financial accomplishment. Qualifying for the lowest rates can save you thousands on interest expenses. Monitor your credit, stick to responsible habits and enjoy the perks and peace of mind from having exceptional credit.
People with perfect scores are typically older
“Youre not likely to see many 25-year-olds with a perfect credit score,” Matt Schulz, chief credit analyst for LendingTree, tells CNBC Make It.
The majority of people with 850 credit scores are above the age of 57, according to Experians report. About 70% of people with perfect credit scores are baby boomers (defined by Experian as people age 57 to 75) and members of the silent generation (ages 75 and above).
Generation X (ages 41 to 56) account for about 22% of people with perfect scores. Meanwhile, only about 4% of that group are millennials and Gen Zers (ages 40 and under).
Since lenders want to see that youve demonstrated a consistent ability to handle credit well over a long period of time, length of credit history has a big impact on your credit score. This is why older generations, who have had a longer time to build credit, tend to have higher scores than younger ones.
They have less debt in general
People with an 850 credit score tend to have less debt in other categories, Experians report reveals.
For example, they typically have an auto loan balance of about $17,000 compared to the national average of nearly $21,000. Perfect scorers also carry below-average balances on auto loans and mortgages.
That doesnt hold true for every type of loan: People with an 850 credit score carry an average balance on personal loans thats nearly double than the national average.
However, the average interest rate for a personal loan is around 8.73%, compared to the average credit card interest rate, which is around 16.65%, according to the Federal Reserves latest data.
Overall, people with an 850 score demonstrate their creditworthiness to lenders by persistently paying down different types of debt.
How I Got My 836 Credit Score – And You Can, Too
FAQ
How many people have an 836 credit score?
Your 836 FICO® ScoreΘ 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.
Does anyone have a 900 credit score?
Has anyone gotten an 850 credit score?
Despite achieving an 850 score, Michell found that it had little impact on his financial life, as interest rates and insurance costs remained unchanged.Jan 4, 2025
How rare is 825 credit score?
A FICO score of 825 is considered exceptional, meaning it’s quite rare but not exceptionally so. While it’s not the highest possible score (850), it’s still within the top-tier of credit scores and indicates a strong credit history. About 22% of Americans have a FICO score between 800 and 850, according to Experian.