The Truth About Hard vs Soft Inquiries

Not all credit checks are created equal. Some impact your score, while others don’t. Let’s clear up the confusion.

What Is a Hard Inquiry?

A hard inquiry happens when a lender checks your credit because you applied for something new, like:

• A credit card
• A car loan
• A mortgage

Effect:

• May lower your score by 5–10 points.
• Stays on your report for up to 3 years.

What Is a Soft Inquiry?

A soft inquiry happens when your credit is checked for non-lending purposes, such as:

• Checking your own score
• Background checks by employers
• Pre-approval offers

Effect:

• No impact on your score.
• Visible only to you (not to lenders).

Key Takeaways

• Too many hard inquiries in a short time = risky to lenders.
• Soft checks are safe and useful for monitoring your credit.
• Always review your own credit report regularly.

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