What is the ideal number of credit cards for a good credit score? (2024)

FAQs

What is the ideal number of credit cards for a good credit score? ›

From a credit reporting and scoring standpoint, you only need one or two credit cards. Make sure to use them responsibly. If you make a purchase, pay it in full each month and keep your balances low. You don't need to have a lot, just a couple are sufficient for building a strong credit history and good credit scores.

It's generally recommended that you have two to three credit card accounts at a time, in addition to other types of credit. Remember that your total available credit and your debt to credit ratio can impact your credit scores. If you have more than three credit cards, it may be hard to keep track of monthly payments.

Too many credit cards for most people could be six or more, given that the average American has a total of five credit cards. Everyone should have at least one credit card for credit-building purposes, even if they don't use it to make purchases, but the exact number of cards you should have differs by person.

Consumers with 800+ credit scores have an average of 8.3 open accounts. High credit score consumers have an average of 8.3 open accounts — similar to the 7.9 we found in 2021. By generation, Gen Xers now have the most active accounts, with an average of 8.6 open accounts.

You should aim for 9+ years to score "Excellent." Total accounts: You need 21+ accounts to score "Excellent." If you have 20 cards and low utilization, you're seen as more responsible to the credit agencies.

There is no right number of credit cards to own, and owning multiple cards gives you access to different rewards programs that various cards offer. Owning five cards, for example, would give you a bigger total line of credit and lower your credit utilization ratio.

Having a lot of credit cards can hurt your credit score under any of the following conditions: You are unable to keep up with your current debt. Your outstanding debt is more than 30% of your total available credit. You added too many cards in too short a time.

What is the 5/24 rule? Many card issuers have criteria for who can qualify for new accounts, but Chase is perhaps the most strict. Chase's 5/24 rule means that you can't be approved for most Chase cards if you've opened five or more personal credit cards (from any card issuer) within the past 24 months.

Closing a credit card could change your debt to credit utilization ratio, which may impact credit scores. Closing a credit card account you've had for a long time may impact the length of your credit history. Paid-off credit cards that aren't used for a certain period of time may be closed by the lender.

So, while there is no absolute number that is considered too many, it's best to only apply for and carry the cards that you need and can justify using based on your credit score, ability to pay balances, and rewards aspirations.

How rare is an 800 credit score? ›

According to a report by FICO, only 23% of the scorable population has a credit score of 800 or above.

But Capital One's cards are more than hype — they include generous rewards cards as well as excellent products for business owners, students and those with average or poor credit. What won't you find on any Capital One card? Foreign transaction fees.

This is because only 1% of these individuals will become delinquent on their loans in the future. While credit scores of 800 or above are labeled “exceptional,” a score of 750 will likely get you some of the best rates available for auto loans and mortgages.

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.

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. The higher your score, the better.

A score of 850 can only be achieved with 10+ years of credit, excellent on-time payment history, low credit utilization, and no recent hard inquiries, which is a tall ask.

Advantages of Having Multiple Credit Cards

Helps Build Credit Score: Those who have several credit cards and still make all payments on time, will build a very good credit score. This will increase the credit worthiness of the individual and give him or her access to more credit opportunities.

Making on-time payments to creditors, keeping your credit utilization low, having a long credit history, maintaining a good mix of credit types, and occasionally applying for new credit lines are the factors that can get you into the 800 credit score club.