A soft inquiry is the kind of credit inquiry that has no effect on your credit score. It never lowers your credit score, no matter how many you have.
Checking your own credit, getting a pre-approved offer in the mail, and an employer background check are all common soft inquiries. You can have dozens of them without losing a single point.
A hard inquiry is different. It happens when you apply for new credit, and it can lower your score by a few points for a short time.
In this guide, you will learn what kind of credit inquiry has no effect on credit score and what inquiries affect your credit score.
What is a Credit Inquiry?
A credit inquiry is a record that shows someone looked at your credit report. The three credit bureaus, Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, log each one.
Your credit report is a file of your borrowing history. It lists your loans, credit cards, payment history, and the people who have checked your file.
Companies check your credit for many reasons. A lender may want to approve a loan, or a card company may want to send you an offer.
The reason behind the check decides how it gets recorded. That reason splits every inquiry into one of two groups: soft or hard.
Soft Inquiry vs Hard Inquiry
The main difference is simple. A soft inquiry happens when you are not applying for credit, while a hard inquiry happens when you are.
A soft inquiry is sometimes called a “soft pull” or “soft credit check.” A hard inquiry is often called a “hard pull.”
Here is how the two compare:
| Feature | Soft Inquiry | Hard Inquiry |
|---|---|---|
| Affects your credit score? | No, never | Yes, usually a few points |
| When it happens | You check your credit, get an offer, or a current lender reviews your account | You apply for a loan, credit card, or other new credit |
| Needs your permission? | Not always | Yes, in most cases |
| Who can see it | Only you | You and any lender who checks your report |
| How long it counts against your score | Never counts | Up to 12 months (FICO) |
| How long it stays on your report | Varies; shows only on your copy | About 2 years |
The biggest takeaway is in the “who can see it” row. Lenders never see your soft inquiries, so those checks cannot change their decision about you.
9 Types of Credit Inquiries That Have No Effect on Your Credit Score
1. Checking Your Own Credit Report or Score
You can check your own credit as often as you like. Checking your own report is a soft inquiry and never harms your FICO score.
This includes free reports from AnnualCreditReport.com, credit apps, and the free score your bank or card company shows you.
2. Pre-Approved and Pre-Screened Offers
Those “You’re pre-approved!” letters come from soft checks. Card companies screen your file to see if you fit their offer.
You did not ask for the check, so it cannot hurt you. Just remember that accepting the offer and applying will trigger a hard inquiry.
3. Prequalification Checks
Many lenders let you see your likely rate before you apply. This step, called prequalification, usually uses a soft pull.
Look for words like “check your rate with no impact to your credit score.” If you are unsure, ask the lender before you click submit.
4. Account Reviews by Your Current Lenders
Your current card company or lender may check your credit from time to time. They do this to adjust your credit limit or review your account.
These reviews are soft inquiries. They happen in the background and do not touch your score.
5. Employer Background Checks
Some employers check your credit before they hire you. They must get your written permission first.
This check is a soft inquiry. Your future boss sees a modified version of your report, and your score stays the same.
6. Insurance Quotes
Car and home insurance companies often check your credit to set your rate. These quote checks are soft inquiries.
That means you can compare insurance quotes freely without hurting your credit.
7. Credit Monitoring Services
Apps and services that watch your credit for changes use soft pulls. You can keep them running all year with no effect on your score.
8. Debt Collector Checks
Debt collectors are allowed to check your credit under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. In most cases, these show up as soft inquiries.
9. Some Utility, Phone, and Rental Checks
Phone carriers, utility companies, and landlords sometimes run soft checks to decide on a deposit. However, some of them run hard checks instead.
This one varies by company. Always ask, “Will this be a hard or soft inquiry?” before you give permission.
Soft inquiries are clearly safe. But what about times when you really do need to apply for credit? That’s where rate shopping comes in.
Also Read: Is FICO Score Same as Credit Score
Rate Shopping: When Several Hard Inquiries Count as One
Here’s some good news. When you shop around for certain loans, scoring models treat many hard inquiries like just one.
This rule is called the “rate shopping window.” It exists so you can compare offers without being punished for it.
Which Loans Qualify?
FICO applies this rule to three loan types: mortgages, auto loans, and student loans.
Credit cards do not qualify. Each credit card application counts as its own hard inquiry, even if you apply for several in one day.
How Long Is the Window?
The length depends on which version of the score a lender uses:
- Newer FICO Scores: any 45-day span
- Older FICO Scores: any 14-day span
- VantageScore: usually a 14-day span
FICO also ignores rate-shopping inquiries for the first 30 days. So if you pick a loan within a month, those checks won’t affect your FICO score while you shop.
The Safe Rule of Thumb
You won’t always know which score a lender uses. Many mortgage lenders still use older FICO versions.
To stay safe, Experian suggests sending all your loan applications within 14 days. That timing protects you under every scoring model.
Of course, not every hard inquiry falls into this window. Let’s look at the ones that do count against you.
Hard Inquiries That Do Affect Your Credit Score
A hard inquiry happens when you ask for new credit and give a lender permission to check your file. These are the most common examples:
- Applying for a credit card, including store cards
- Applying for a mortgage, auto loan, or personal loan
- Applying for a student loan
- Asking for a credit limit increase (with some card companies)
- Applying for some apartments, phone plans, or utility accounts
How Much Does a Hard Inquiry Lower Your Credit Score?
The drop is usually small. For most people, one hard inquiry takes fewer than five points off a FICO score.
Inquiries fall under “new credit,” which makes up about 10% of your FICO score. Payment history and how much you owe matter much more.
When the Impact Is Bigger?
Hard inquiries can hurt more if you have only a few accounts or a short credit history. With less information in your file, each new item carries more weight.
Many inquiries close together also raise a red flag. FICO research links six or more inquiries to a much higher risk of missed payments and bankruptcy, so lenders take notice.
The good news is that this damage fades with time. Here’s how long inquiries stick around.
How Long Do Credit Inquiries Stay on Your Credit Report?
Hard inquiries stay on your credit report for about two years. After that, they drop off on their own.
However, FICO only counts a hard inquiry against your score for the first 12 months. In the second year, it just sits there with no effect.
Soft inquiries show up only on the copy of your report that you see. Lenders never see them, and they never count toward your score, no matter how long they stay.
So a hard inquiry from last year matters far less than one from last week. Next, let’s find out which inquiries are on your report right now.
How to See Which Inquiries Are on Your Credit Report
You can check your inquiries for free, and doing so will not hurt your score. Follow these simple steps:
- Go to AnnualCreditReport.com. This is the only official site for free reports. The three bureaus now offer free reports every week.
- Request all three reports. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion may each show different inquiries.
- Find the “Inquiries” section. Most reports split it into hard inquiries and soft inquiries (sometimes called “account review” or “promotional” inquiries).
- Match each hard inquiry to an application. Note the company name and date, and make sure you remember applying.
- Flag anything you don’t recognize. Sometimes the name is a parent company or a loan servicer, so look it up before you worry.
If you find a hard inquiry you never approved, don’t panic. The next section shows you exactly what to do.
What to Do About an Unauthorized Hard Inquiry?
You cannot remove a hard inquiry that you approved. But you can dispute one that you never authorized.
An unknown hard inquiry may be a simple mistake. It can also be an early sign of identity theft, so act quickly.
Step 1: Contact the Company
Call the company listed on the inquiry and ask for proof that you applied. If they made a mistake, ask them to tell the credit bureaus to remove it.
Step 2: File a Dispute With Each Bureau
File a dispute online or by mail with every bureau that shows the inquiry. Under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the bureau must investigate.
If the bureau can’t confirm the inquiry was allowed, it must remove it. Keep copies of everything you send and receive.
Step 3: Protect Yourself From Fraud
If you suspect identity theft, place a free fraud alert or credit freeze. Neither one affects your credit score.
You can also report identity theft at IdentityTheft.gov and file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) if a bureau won’t help.
A Word of Caution
Be careful with any service that promises to remove all your hard inquiries. Only inaccurate or unauthorized inquiries can be removed.
Once your report is clean, the next goal is to keep it that way.
8 Tips to Keep Credit Inquiries From Hurting Your Credit Score
A few smart habits can keep hard inquiries from dragging your score down. Here’s what works best:
- Check your own credit often. It’s free, it’s a soft inquiry, and it helps you catch problems early.
- Use prequalification tools first. See your likely approval odds with a soft pull before you formally apply.
- Ask before you agree to a check. A simple “Is this a hard or soft pull?” can save you points.
- Bundle your loan shopping. Send all mortgage, auto, or student loan applications within 14 days.
- Space out credit card applications. Try to wait at least six months between new cards.
- Apply only when you need credit. Skip store card offers just to save 10% at checkout.
- Plan ahead for big loans. Avoid new applications for 6 to 12 months before you apply for a mortgage.
- Focus on what matters most. Paying on time and keeping card balances low do far more for your score than avoiding inquiries.
Still have questions? The FAQs below cover what readers ask most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does checking my own credit score lower it?
No. Checking your own credit is always a soft inquiry, so it never lowers your score. You can check it daily if you want.
Does prequalifying for a loan hurt my credit?
Usually not. Most prequalification checks are soft pulls. However, once you formally apply, the lender will run a hard inquiry.
Do pre-approved credit card offers affect my credit?
No. The company ran a soft check to send you the offer. Only applying for the card creates a hard inquiry.
Can lenders see my soft inquiries?
No. Soft inquiries appear only on the version of your report that you see. Lenders cannot see them.
How many points does a hard inquiry take off?
For most people, fewer than five points. The drop can be larger if you have a thin or new credit file.
Does a credit limit increase request count as a hard inquiry?
It depends on the card company. Some use a soft pull and some use a hard pull, so ask before you request one.
Does renting an apartment hurt my credit?
It can. Some landlords run soft checks, and others run hard checks. Ask the landlord or screening company which one they use.
Does a credit freeze affect my score?
No. Placing or lifting a credit freeze or fraud alert is free and has no effect on your score.
Can I remove a hard inquiry from my credit report?
Only if it is inaccurate or unauthorized. A hard inquiry you approved will stay for about two years, but it stops affecting your FICO score after 12 months.
