Hard vs Soft Credit Inquiry, Explained
The difference
A hard inquiry (hard pull) occurs when a lender checks your credit because you applied for a card or loan, and it appears on your report and can affect your score. A soft inquiry happens when you check your own credit, a card pre-qualifies you, or an employer runs a background check, and it is invisible to scoring. Only hard pulls can cost you points.
How much a hard pull hurts
A single hard inquiry typically lowers your score by a few points and recovers within a few months. Inquiries stay on your report for two years but stop affecting your score after about one. The real risk is many applications in a short window, which can signal risk, which is part of why issuers use rules like 5/24.
When to care
Space out applications, and use pre-qualification (a soft pull) to gauge approval odds before a hard pull. Do not let inquiry fear stop a worthwhile application: payment history and utilization drive your score far more than a few inquiries ever will.
Frequently asked questions
Related reading
