What a hard inquiry is
When you apply for credit, the lender checks your credit report. That check is called a hard inquiry, and it shows up on your report for a while.
Key takeaways
- A hard inquiry can lower your score slightly, usually just a few points.
- Hard inquiries stay on your report two years but only affect your score for one.
- Soft pulls let you check pre-qualification odds without hurting your score.
- Rate shopping for one loan type in 14–45 days often counts as just one inquiry.
When you apply for a credit card, loan, or apartment, the company usually looks at your credit report. That look is called a hard inquiry. It is also sometimes called a hard pull.
A hard inquiry happens because the lender wants to see how you have handled money in the past. They use that information to decide whether to approve you and what terms to offer.
Hard inquiries show up on your credit report. They stay there for two years. However, they only affect your credit score for about one year.
One hard inquiry usually lowers your score by a small amount — often just a few points. For most people, that is not a big deal. But if you have a thin credit file or a low score already, even a small dip can feel important.
The good news is that the effect fades over time. As long as you keep paying bills on time and keep your balances low, your score can recover and grow.
Hard inquiries are different from soft inquiries. A soft inquiry happens when you check your own credit, or when a company checks it to send you a pre-approval offer. Soft inquiries do not affect your score at all.
If you apply for several loans of the same type in a short window — like shopping around for a car loan or mortgage — the credit bureaus often count those as just one inquiry. This is called rate shopping, and the bureaus allow for it. The window is usually 14 to 45 days, depending on the scoring model.
Too many hard inquiries in a short time can be a yellow flag to lenders. It can look like you are in financial trouble or taking on a lot of new debt at once. Try to space out your applications when you can.
Before you apply for anything, it is okay to ask the lender whether they will do a hard or soft pull. Some lenders let you check if you pre-qualify using only a soft pull. That way you can see your odds without hurting your score.
Hard inquiries are a normal part of building credit. One or two a year is nothing to stress about. Just be thoughtful about how often you apply, and your score will thank you over time.
Related FAQs
Common questions about this topic, answered simply.
How many points will a hard inquiry take off my credit score?
For most people, one hard inquiry lowers a credit score by fewer than five points. The exact number depends on your overall credit history. If you have a thin file or a very low score, the impact might feel bigger, but it is usually still small and temporary.
How long does a hard inquiry stay on my credit report?
A hard inquiry stays on your credit report for two years. However, it typically only affects your credit score for about twelve months. After that, it is still visible to lenders but no longer counts against you in most scoring models.
Can I remove a hard inquiry from my credit report?
You can dispute a hard inquiry if you did not authorize it or if it was placed there by mistake. Contact the credit bureau in writing and explain the error. If the inquiry is legitimate — meaning you did apply — it cannot be removed early and will age off on its own after two years.
What is the difference between a hard inquiry and a soft inquiry?
A hard inquiry happens when you apply for credit and a lender officially reviews your report. A soft inquiry happens when you check your own credit or when a company checks it for a pre-approval offer. Only hard inquiries can affect your credit score. Soft inquiries have no impact at all.
Should I avoid applying for credit just to protect my score?
Not necessarily. If you need a credit card or loan to build your credit or cover an important expense, applying is a reasonable step. The small score dip from one hard inquiry is usually worth it if the account helps you in the long run. Just try not to apply for several things at once.
Does getting pre-approved hurt my credit score?
Usually not. Most pre-approval checks use a soft inquiry, which does not affect your score at all. However, once you formally accept an offer and officially apply, the lender will likely do a hard pull at that point. It is always okay to ask the lender ahead of time which type of check they will run.
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