Does Checking Your Own Credit Hurt Your Score?
This guide explains the difference between the inquiry that matters and the one that does not, why the myth stuck around, and where to check your credit safely and for free.
Soft inquiries versus hard inquiries
There are two kinds of credit checks. A soft inquiry happens when you check your own credit, or when a lender pre-screens you for an offer, and it has no effect on your score whatsoever. A hard inquiry happens when you formally apply for credit and a lender pulls your report to decide, and only this type can nudge your score down.
Why the myth persists
People conflate the two because both are called credit checks. But checking your own report, using a score app, or getting pre-qualified are all soft pulls. Applying for a card or loan is the hard pull. Knowing the difference means you can monitor your credit freely without any worry.
Where to check safely
You are entitled to free reports from the major bureaus, and many banks and card issuers show your score for free inside their apps as a soft pull. Checking regularly is actually smart, since it helps you catch errors and fraud early. See credit report versus credit score and how to read your credit report to get the most from it.
- Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry, which never affects your score.
- You can check as often as you want with no penalty.
- Only hard inquiries from applying for credit can lower your score.
- A hard inquiry costs only a few points and fades within a year.
- Free, safe places exist to monitor your credit regularly.
Frequently asked questions
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