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791 Credit score: What You Need to Know in 2025
July 1, 2025

TL;DR
A 791 credit score is an excellent financial accomplishment that positions you for some of the most favorable lending terms available. This score falls squarely within the “Very Good” category of the FICO scoring model, signaling to lenders that you are a highly dependable borrower.
What Does a 791 Credit Score Mean?
A credit score of 791 places you in the "Very Good" range of the FICO scoring model. Lenders view this as the mark of a highly responsible borrower, indicating a very low risk of default. This strong score generally qualifies you for competitive interest rates and favorable terms on mortgages, auto loans, and credit cards, which can significantly reduce your borrowing costs over time.
While 791 is an excellent score, it's just shy of the top-tier "Exceptional" category (800+). This puts you in a fantastic position with a strong credit history already established. Continuing your positive credit habits will help you preserve this standing and potentially climb into that highest bracket, further solidifying your financial future and opening up even more advantageous opportunities.
Who Has a 791 Credit Score?
While a 791 credit score is well above average for any age group, data shows that credit scores generally improve over time. According to a 2023 study of credit scores, the average FICO score increases with each generation. Here is the breakdown by age group:
- Generation Z (ages 18-26): 680
- Millennials (ages 27-42): 690
- Generation X (ages 43-58): 709
- Baby Boomers (ages 59-77): 745
- Silent Generation (ages 78+): 760
Credit Cards With a 791 Credit Score
A credit score of 791 places you firmly in the excellent range, which is a fantastic position to be in when applying for a new credit card. Lenders view applicants with scores like yours as highly responsible and low-risk, significantly increasing your approval odds. Consequently, you'll likely have your pick of premium rewards cards, offering the best interest rates, lucrative sign-up bonuses, and exclusive perks.
To find the ideal credit card for your financial situation, Kudos provides personalized tools that match you with the best options for your needs. Through its Explore Tool quiz or the Dream Wallet’s spending analysis, you can compare cards from a database of nearly 3,000 to find your perfect match.
Auto Loans and a 791 Credit Score
With a 791 credit score, you fall into the super-prime borrower category, qualifying you for the most competitive interest rates on the market. This excellent score signals to lenders that you are a low-risk borrower, which greatly increases your approval odds and gives you access to the best possible loan terms.
According to a 2025 analysis, here are the average auto loan interest rates broken down by credit score:
- Super-prime (781-850): 5.25% for new cars, 7.13% for used cars
- Prime (661-780): 6.87% for new cars, 9.36% for used cars
- Non-prime (601-660): 9.83% for new cars, 13.92% for used cars
- Subprime (501-600): 13.18% for new cars, 18.86% for used cars
- Deep subprime (300-500): 15.77% for new cars, 21.55% for used cars
Mortgages at a 791 Credit Score
With a 791 credit score, you are in an excellent position to buy a home. This score is well above the minimum requirements for all major mortgage types, including conventional, jumbo, FHA, VA, and USDA loans. Lenders view you as a low-risk, top-tier applicant, which opens the door to nearly every home financing option available on the market.
Your high score directly translates into significant financial benefits. You will qualify for the lowest available interest rates, potentially saving you tens of thousands over the life of the loan. You can also expect an easier approval process, more negotiating power, and lower private mortgage insurance (PMI) premiums if you make a down payment of less than 20%.
What's in a Credit Score?
Figuring out what goes into your credit score can feel like trying to solve a complex puzzle, but it generally boils down to a handful of key elements. The most common factors include:
- Your payment history, which tracks whether you pay your bills on time, is the most significant factor.
- Credit utilization, or the amount of credit you're using compared to your total available credit, also plays a major role.
- The length of your credit history demonstrates your experience with managing credit over time.
- Having a healthy mix of different types of credit, such as credit cards and installment loans, can positively impact your score.
- Finally, recent credit inquiries, which occur when you apply for new credit, are also taken into account.
How to Improve Your 791 Credit Score
While a 791 credit score is excellent, there is always room for improvement, and there are several proven methods to boost your score even further. Here are four actions you can take to enhance your already strong credit profile:
- Reduce your credit utilization ratio. Even with a high score, fine-tuning your utilization by keeping balances well below the standard 30% recommendation can provide a meaningful boost. This demonstrates exceptional financial discipline and makes you an even more attractive borrower.
- Diversify your credit mix. Lenders like to see that you can responsibly handle different types of credit, such as revolving accounts and installment loans. Adding a different credit type to your profile can strengthen it, even if your history is already solid.
- Limit hard inquiries. To protect your excellent score, be strategic about applying for new credit, as each hard inquiry can cause a small, temporary dip. Using prequalification tools allows you to shop for rates without impacting your score.
- Monitor your credit reports. Regularly reviewing your credit reports is crucial for maintaining a high score by catching potential errors or fraud early. Correcting inaccuracies ensures your score accurately reflects your financial health.
Kudos offers tools like its AI-powered browser extension to help you manage your credit cards and maximize rewards as you continue to build your score.
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