4 Traits of Americans With a Perfect 850 Credit Score

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A perfect 850 credit score might seem impossible to achieve, but plenty of Americans have hit this milestone. While you don’t need a perfect score to get the best credit cards and mortgage terms, those who reach 850 tend to share a few key habits that set them apart.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. If you’re aiming to improve your credit — or just curious about what it takes — here are four common traits of people who have a perfect credit score.1. They always pay on timeThe biggest factor in your credit score is payment history, making up 35% of your FICO® Score. People with an 850 credit score never miss a payment — whether it’s a credit card, mortgage, or utility bill.Even one late payment can knock your score down, but it’s important to note that most creditors won’t report your late payment until it’s 30 days or more past due. That means if you’re only a few days or a couple of weeks late, your creditor may not report it to the credit bureaus.To avoid late payments:Set up autopay to ensure bills are never missed.Use payment reminders or calendar alerts.Pay early when possible to stay ahead of due dates.Never pay full price for a flight again. Check out our list of best travel credit cards now.2. They keep credit card balances lowAnother major credit score factor is credit utilization. That’s the percentage of all your available credit divided by your total outstanding debts. Those with an 850 credit score keep their utilization below 10%, even though the general rule of thumb is staying under 30%.For example, if they have a $10,000 credit limit, they make sure their balance stays below $1,000 — normally paying it off in full each month.If you’re trying to have a perfect credit score, don’t be afraid to open a high-limit credit card or ask your existing card issuers to extend your credit limits. That will increase your available credit and lower your credit utilization ratio.3. They have a long credit historyCredit age makes up 15% of your FICO® Score, and people with an 850 score typically have decades of responsible credit use. While you can’t speed up time, you can make smart choices to improve this factor:Keep old accounts open. Closing a long-standing credit card lowers your average credit age, which can drop your score.Avoid opening too many new accounts. Each new card lowers your average credit age and adds a hard inquiry to your report.Start young. Many top scorers got their first credit card in their late teens or early 20s and used it responsibly.If you no longer want to use a credit card, it’s generally better to keep the account open and use the card for an occasional small purchase to keep the account active. Just make sure there isn’t an annual fee you’re losing money on.4. They check their credit report regularlyEven the most responsible credit users can get hit with fraudulent charges, errors, or identity theft. That’s why people with perfect scores monitor their credit reports closely.Get in the habit of checking your credit report at least once a year. You can get a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com to look for mistakes. And if you see any errors, dispute them immediately. If you suspect any fraud, freeze your accounts to prevent anything new from being opened in your name.A perfect credit score is cool, but unnecessaryWhile reaching a perfect 850 FICO® Score isn’t necessary, practicing these habits can help you build and maintain an excellent score to qualify for the best credit cards and mortgage rates.By paying on time, keeping balances low, maintaining old accounts, and monitoring your credit report, you’ll be well on your way to elite credit status.Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026
This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!
Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes. We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.”}]] [[{“value”:”

A perfect 850 credit score might seem impossible to achieve, but plenty of Americans have hit this milestone. While you don’t need a perfect score to get the best credit cards and mortgage terms, those who reach 850 tend to share a few key habits that set them apart.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

If you’re aiming to improve your credit — or just curious about what it takes — here are four common traits of people who have a perfect credit score.

1. They always pay on time

The biggest factor in your credit score is payment history, making up 35% of your FICO® Score. People with an 850 credit score never miss a payment — whether it’s a credit card, mortgage, or utility bill.

Even one late payment can knock your score down, but it’s important to note that most creditors won’t report your late payment until it’s 30 days or more past due. That means if you’re only a few days or a couple of weeks late, your creditor may not report it to the credit bureaus.

To avoid late payments:

• Set up autopay to ensure bills are never missed.
• Use payment reminders or calendar alerts.
• Pay early when possible to stay ahead of due dates.

Never pay full price for a flight again. Check out our list of best travel credit cards now.

2. They keep credit card balances low

Another major credit score factor is credit utilization. That’s the percentage of all your available credit divided by your total outstanding debts. Those with an 850 credit score keep their utilization below 10%, even though the general rule of thumb is staying under 30%.

For example, if they have a $10,000 credit limit, they make sure their balance stays below $1,000 — normally paying it off in full each month.

If you’re trying to have a perfect credit score, don’t be afraid to open a high-limit credit card or ask your existing card issuers to extend your credit limits. That will increase your available credit and lower your credit utilization ratio.

3. They have a long credit history

Credit age makes up 15% of your FICO® Score, and people with an 850 score typically have decades of responsible credit use. While you can’t speed up time, you can make smart choices to improve this factor:

• Keep old accounts open. Closing a long-standing credit card lowers your average credit age, which can drop your score.
• Avoid opening too many new accounts. Each new card lowers your average credit age and adds a hard inquiry to your report.
• Start young. Many top scorers got their first credit card in their late teens or early 20s and used it responsibly.

If you no longer want to use a credit card, it’s generally better to keep the account open and use the card for an occasional small purchase to keep the account active. Just make sure there isn’t an annual fee you’re losing money on.

4. They check their credit report regularly

Even the most responsible credit users can get hit with fraudulent charges, errors, or identity theft. That’s why people with perfect scores monitor their credit reports closely.

Get in the habit of checking your credit report at least once a year. You can get a free credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com to look for mistakes. And if you see any errors, dispute them immediately. If you suspect any fraud, freeze your accounts to prevent anything new from being opened in your name.

A perfect credit score is cool, but unnecessary

While reaching a perfect 850 FICO® Score isn’t necessary, practicing these habits can help you build and maintain an excellent score to qualify for the best credit cards and mortgage rates.

By paying on time, keeping balances low, maintaining old accounts, and monitoring your credit report, you’ll be well on your way to elite credit status.

Alert: highest cash back card we’ve seen now has 0% intro APR into 2026

This credit card is not just good – it’s so exceptional that our experts use it personally. It features a 0% intro APR for 15 months, a cash back rate of up to 5%, and all somehow for no annual fee!

Click here to read our full review for free and apply in just 2 minutes.

We’re firm believers in the Golden Rule, which is why editorial opinions are ours alone and have not been previously reviewed, approved, or endorsed by included advertisers.
Motley Fool Money does not cover all offers on the market. Editorial content from Motley Fool Money is separate from The Motley Fool editorial content and is created by a different analyst team.The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

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