A hard inquiry, also called a hard pull, is when a lender checks your full credit report because you applied for new credit, such as a loan, credit card, or mortgage. Because it signals you may be taking on new debt, a hard inquiry can lower your credit score slightly, though the dip is usually small and temporary. It contrasts with a soft inquiry, which does not affect your score at all. Understanding the difference helps you avoid unnecessary score drops. This is general education, not personalized advice, so confirm specifics for your situation.
Hard inquiry vs soft inquiry
| Type |
When it happens |
Affects score? |
| Hard inquiry |
You apply for new credit |
Yes, usually a small dip |
| Soft inquiry |
You check your own credit, pre-approvals, some background checks |
No |
The defining line is consent and purpose. A hard pull happens because you sought new credit; a soft pull happens for review or marketing and leaves your score untouched. Checking your own report as often as you like is a soft pull and is harmless.
How much it affects your score
A single hard inquiry typically causes a small, short-lived dip, often a few points, and matters less than your payment history or balances. The bigger concern is many hard inquiries in a short span, which can suggest you are seeking a lot of new credit and may read as higher risk. For most people with healthy credit, one inquiry is minor, and it weighs far less than choosing the right card when you do apply, which is its own topic in how to choose a credit card.
How long it lasts
A hard inquiry generally stays on your credit report for about two years, but its effect on your score usually fades much faster, often within several months to a year. So while it remains visible for a while, it stops weighing on your score long before it disappears.
Rate shopping and grouping
When you shop for a single loan, such as a mortgage or auto loan, scoring models often group multiple similar inquiries made within a short window and count them as one. This lets you compare offers without stacking up separate penalties. The exact window depends on the scoring model, so do your rate shopping in a focused period rather than spread over months.
What to skip
- Skip applying for several unrelated new accounts in a short time; each adds an inquiry and the cluster can signal risk.
- Skip worrying about checking your own credit; that is a soft pull and never hurts your score.
- Skip random pre-qualification offers if you have no intention of applying; while many are soft, a formal application becomes a hard pull.
FAQ
How much does a hard inquiry lower my score?
Usually only a few points, and the effect is temporary. Payment history and balances matter far more to your overall score.
How long does a hard inquiry stay on my report?
About two years on the report, but its impact on your score typically fades within several months to a year, well before it falls off.
Does checking my own credit count as a hard inquiry?
No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score, so you can review it as often as you want.
Will rate shopping for a loan hurt my score multiple times?
Often not. Scoring models commonly group similar inquiries within a short window and count them as one, so focused rate shopping limits the impact.
Where to go next
Learn what a good credit score is, see how a credit freeze works, and build good credit over time.