By Harpreet Singh | Last updated: September 20, 2026
Every time someone looks at your credit report, an inquiry is recorded. Some inquiries can nudge your score down a little, and others have no effect at all. Knowing which is which helps you apply for credit at the right time and avoid unnecessary worry. This guide explains the difference, how long inquiries last, and how to shop for loans without hurting your score.
Key takeaways
- A hard inquiry happens when you apply for credit and a lender checks your report. It can lower your score slightly.
- A soft inquiry happens when you check your own credit or a company checks it for a preapproved offer or similar purpose. It does not affect your score.
- For most people, one extra hard inquiry costs fewer than five FICO points, according to FICO.
- Shopping for a mortgage, auto loan or student loan within a short window is usually counted as a single inquiry by scoring models.
What is a hard inquiry?
A hard inquiry (also called a hard pull) occurs when you apply for credit and give a lender permission to review your credit report to decide whether to approve you. Common triggers include applying for a credit card, a personal loan, an auto loan, a mortgage or a student loan. Some landlords and utility companies also run hard inquiries.
What is a soft inquiry?
A soft inquiry (soft pull) is a review of your credit that is not connected to a new credit application. Examples include checking your own credit report or score, prequalification checks from a lender, preapproved offers you did not request, and checks by your existing lenders. Soft inquiries do not affect your credit scores.
| Hard inquiry | Soft inquiry | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical trigger | You apply for a loan or credit card | You check your own credit, or a company screens you for an offer |
| Needs your permission | Yes | Not always |
| Can lower your score | Yes, usually by a small amount | No |
| Visible to other lenders | Yes, on your credit report | Generally visible only to you |
How much does a hard inquiry hurt your score?
The effect is usually small. FICO states that for most people, one additional hard inquiry takes fewer than five points off their FICO Score. The impact can be larger if you have a short credit history or few accounts, or if you apply for many kinds of credit in a short period.
How long they matter:
- A hard inquiry stays on your credit report for up to two years.
- FICO Scores only consider inquiries from the last 12 months.
Keep in mind that opening a new account can affect your score in other ways too, such as lowering the average age of your accounts, so the inquiry is only one part of the picture.
Rate shopping: how to compare loans safely
Scoring models understand that people compare offers when they borrow a large amount. For mortgages, auto loans and student loans, multiple inquiries within a short window are usually treated as one. The window depends on the scoring model. It is commonly 14 days for older versions and up to 45 days for newer FICO versions. Credit card applications are generally not grouped this way, so each one can count separately.
Practical tip: do your loan comparison shopping within a couple of weeks so all the inquiries fall inside the same window. If you are also planning a home purchase, see our guide to how mortgage rates affect your monthly payment.
How to limit hard inquiries
- Use prequalification tools when a lender offers them, since they often use a soft pull. Ask the lender first, because policies differ.
- Space out credit card applications instead of applying for several at once.
- Apply only for credit you actually need.
- Group loan comparison shopping into a short period.
- Check your own credit regularly. It is always a soft inquiry.
How to check your inquiries for free
You can get free credit reports from Equifax, Experian and TransUnion at AnnualCreditReport.com, the official site authorized by federal law. The inquiries section lists which companies pulled your report. Review it for anything you do not recognize.
What if you find an inquiry you did not authorize?
An unfamiliar hard inquiry can be a sign of identity theft. Contact the lender named on the report and the credit bureau to dispute it. You can also place a fraud alert or a credit freeze, which are free. The Federal Trade Commission’s IdentityTheft.gov explains the steps to take.
Frequently asked questions
Does checking my own credit score hurt it?
No. Checking your own report or score is a soft inquiry and has no effect on your credit scores.
Does prequalification hurt my credit?
Usually not, because prequalification often uses a soft pull. Preapproval more often involves a hard inquiry, but practices vary, so ask the lender before you proceed.
How long do hard inquiries stay on my report?
Up to two years. FICO Scores count only the last 12 months.
Will several hard inquiries stop me from getting approved?
Not necessarily. Lenders look at your full profile, including payment history and how much of your credit you use. But many recent applications can signal risk, so it is best to apply selectively.
Sources and further reading
- myFICO: Credit education
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Ask CFPB
- AnnualCreditReport.com: Free credit reports
- FTC: IdentityTheft.gov
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About the author: Harpreet Singh is a content publisher and SEO specialist who researches and explains U.S. personal finance topics for Finance Glide. He is not a licensed financial advisor. This article is educational and is not personal financial advice. See our Disclaimer and About page, or contact us to report an error.
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