Does Checking Your Credit Hurt Your Score? Soft vs. Hard Inquiries
Checking your own credit never hurts your score. Learn the difference between soft and hard inquiries, how much a hard pull costs, and when to worry.
It’s one of the most common credit myths: that checking your score lowers it. The truth is more reassuring — it comes down to the difference between two kinds of inquiries.
✓ Checking your own credit is always safe
When you check your own score or report — on this site, your bank’s app, or AnnualCreditReport.com — it’s a soft inquiry. Soft inquiries are never visible to lenders and never affect your score. Check it as often as you like.
Soft inquiries vs. hard inquiries
Soft inquiries happen when you check your own credit, when a lender pre-approves you for an offer, or during a background check. They don’t affect your score.
Hard inquiries happen when you actually apply for credit — a card, loan, or mortgage — and the lender pulls your report to make a decision. These can affect your score.
How much does a hard inquiry cost you?
Usually only a few points, and often less. A single hard inquiry is a minor factor. It can stay on your report for two years but typically only influences your score for about one year.
Rate shopping is protected
Worried about multiple inquiries while shopping for a car loan or mortgage? Scoring models treat a burst of similar inquiries within a short window (often about 14–45 days) as a single inquiry, so comparing offers won’t pile up the damage.
The real risk: too many applications at once
One hard inquiry is small. Applying for several new accounts in a short period is what raises flags — it can signal risk and add up. Space out applications, especially while you’re rebuilding.
The takeaway
Check your own credit early and often — it’s how you catch errors and track progress, with zero downside. Just be deliberate about applying for new credit.
Frequently asked questions
Does checking my own credit score lower it?
No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry, which is never shown to lenders and never affects your score. You can check it as often as you want.
How much does a hard inquiry lower your credit score?
Usually only a few points, sometimes less. A hard inquiry can remain on your report for two years but typically affects your score for only about a year, and a single one is a minor factor.
Do multiple inquiries from rate shopping hurt my score?
Generally no. Scoring models group multiple similar inquiries (such as for an auto loan or mortgage) within a short window — often about 14 to 45 days — as a single inquiry, so comparison shopping is protected.