Understanding Credit Inquiries: What Hurts and What Doesn’t

If you’ve ever checked your credit report and noticed a list of “inquiries,” you might have wondered what they mean — and whether they’re hurting your score.

The truth is, not all credit inquiries are created equal. Some can slightly impact your credit, while others have no effect at all. Understanding the difference helps you protect your score and make smarter financial moves.

Let’s break it down so you can confidently manage your credit — without fear of checking it.

What Is a Credit Inquiry?

A credit inquiry happens anytime someone checks your credit report. This could be you, a lender, a landlord, or even a potential employer (with your permission).

There are two main types of inquiries: soft inquiries and hard inquiries — and knowing the difference makes all the difference.

Soft Inquiries (Don’t Hurt Your Score)

A soft inquiry is a credit check that does not affect your credit score. These are typically used for background or informational purposes — not for lending decisions.

Soft inquiries include:

• Checking your own credit score or report

• Pre-approval offers from credit card companies

• Employment or rental background checks

• Ongoing account reviews by existing creditors

Good news: You can check your own credit as often as you want — it will never hurt your score. In fact, reviewing it regularly helps you spot errors and track your progress.

Stay informed with Credit Hero Score — our trusted credit monitoring partner that gives you access to all three of your credit reports and scores in one place.

Hard Inquiries (May Lower Your Score Slightly)

A hard inquiry occurs when a lender pulls your credit report as part of a decision to approve you for credit — such as a loan, mortgage, or credit card.

Hard inquiries can temporarily lower your score by a few points (usually 3–5), but the impact is short-term and minor compared to other factors like payment history or utilization.

Examples of hard inquiries include:

• Applying for a new credit card

• Financing a car

• Applying for a mortgage or personal loan

Tip: Multiple hard inquiries for the same type of loan (like mortgage or auto) made within a 14–45 day window usually count as one inquiry for scoring purposes — so it’s safe to shop around for the best rates.

How Long Do Inquiries Stay on Your Report?

Both soft and hard inquiries can appear on your report, but only hard inquiries affect your score. They typically stay visible for two years, but the scoring impact fades after a few months.

So don’t stress over one or two inquiries — lenders expect to see them. What matters most is your overall credit behavior: consistent payments, low balances, and time.

Credit inquiries are just a small piece of your financial picture. Checking your own credit is safe (and smart), while applying for new accounts should simply be done with intention and timing.

The more you understand how inquiries work, the more control you have over your credit health.

Knowledge = power — and when it comes to credit, awareness is your greatest advantage.

Start tracking your credit inquiries today with Credit Hero Score and take the guesswork out of managing your credit.