Every time your credit report is accessed, an “inquiry” gets logged. Understanding the difference between a hard inquiry and a soft inquiry is important if you want to protect your credit score and avoid unnecessary dips.
Protect your credit score by knowing which actions trigger a permanent mark on your report.
| Feature | Hard Inquiry (Hard Pull) | Soft Inquiry (Soft Pull) |
|---|---|---|
| Triggered By | Applying for new credit (credit cards, auto loans, mortgages) | Checking your own credit, pre-approvals, or background checks |
| Score Impact | Small temporary drop (often up to ~5 points) | No impact |
| Visibility | Visible to lenders for up to 2 years | Only visible to you |
| Permission | Requires your approval | May happen without you noticing |
A hard inquiry stays on your credit report for 24 months, but most scoring impact fades after about 12 months.
One inquiry is minor. Five applications in a month? That starts to look risky to lenders.
For things like auto loans or mortgages, multiple applications within a short window (usually 14–45 days depending on the scoring model) are grouped as a single inquiry.
Many lenders let you check approval odds using a soft pull before you officially apply.
Checking your score through apps like Credit Karma or your bank won’t affect your credit at all.
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