Soft Pull vs Hard Pull: Which One Affects Your Credit Score?

A soft pull reviews information in your credit file without affecting your credit scores. A hard pull generally occurs after you apply for a loan or credit card and can temporarily lower some credit scores.

Checking your own credit, receiving a prequalification offer, and an existing lender reviewing your account commonly involve soft pulls. Applying for a mortgage, auto loan, personal loan, or credit card commonly causes a hard pull.

The effect of one hard inquiry is usually limited, but the exact impact varies by person, credit-scoring model, and overall credit profile. Multiple applications for credit cards or other unrelated accounts within a short period may have a greater effect.

However, multiple mortgage, auto-loan, and certain student-loan inquiries may be grouped for scoring when they occur within an applicable rate-shopping window.

Soft Pull vs Hard Pull at a Glance

The terms “credit pull,” “credit inquiry,” and “credit check” are often used interchangeably. The important distinction is whether the inquiry is classified as soft or hard.

What Is a Soft Pull?

A soft pull is a review of your credit file that does not affect your credit scores.

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, soft inquiries can include:

• Reviews by existing creditors
• Insurance-related reviews
• Prescreening by prospective lenders
• Certain employment-related credit checks
• Your own requests for credit reports

A soft inquiry may be recorded in the version of the credit report you receive. It is generally not displayed when a lender obtains your report to make a lending decision.

Soft pulls may be used to evaluate whether you are potentially eligible for a product, monitor an existing account, verify information, or provide access to your own credit.

A soft pull does not mean an application will be approved. It simply means that the credit review itself does not affect your score.

Common Examples of Soft Pulls

A soft credit check may occur when:

• You check your own credit report.
• You view a credit score provided by your bank or credit-card issuer.
• A lender checks your credit for prequalification.
• A credit-card company sends a prescreened offer.
• An existing creditor reviews your account.
• An insurer reviews credit information where permitted.
• An employer conducts an employment-related credit check where permitted.
• A landlord or service provider conducts a check classified as soft.
• A company verifies your identity or eligibility.

Not every company uses the same inquiry type for the same service.

For example, one apartment company may use a soft inquiry, while another may request permission for a hard inquiry. A credit-limit increase might involve a soft or hard pull depending on the card issuer’s policy and the circumstances.

Ask before providing authorization if the inquiry type is important to you.

Does Checking Your Own Credit Hurt Your Score?

No. Requesting your own credit report or checking your own credit score is treated as a soft inquiry.

It does not reduce your credit scores, regardless of how frequently you check.

You can obtain free credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com, the federally authorized source for reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.

The three reports may not be identical because:

• A creditor might not report to every bureau.
• Information may be updated at different times.
• An inquiry might appear on only the report that was accessed.
• An error could affect one file but not the others.

Reviewing all three reports can help you detect unfamiliar accounts, inaccurate balances, incorrect late payments, and unauthorized inquiries.

What Is a Hard Pull?

A hard pull generally occurs when a lender checks your credit after you apply for new credit.

The inquiry tells other lenders that you are seeking a new borrowing account. Credit-scoring models may treat recent applications as an indicator of additional financial risk because the new debt might not yet appear on your reports.

A hard inquiry may occur when you apply for:

• A credit card
• A personal loan
• A mortgage
• An automobile loan
• A private student loan
• A home-equity loan
• A home-equity line of credit
• A retail financing account
• A charge card
• A credit-limit increase, depending on the issuer
• A rental property, depending on the screening process

A hard inquiry is only one part of an application. The lender might also consider income, employment, debt-to-income ratio, collateral, account history, and its internal eligibility requirements.

Approval is not guaranteed merely because a hard pull occurs. An inquiry can remain even if the lender denies the application or you decide not to accept the offer.

How Much Does a Hard Pull Affect Your Credit Score?

There is no universal number of points that applies to everyone.

The effect may depend on:

• The scoring model
• The version of that model
• Your overall credit history
• The number and timing of recent inquiries
• The type of credit requested
• The number of recently opened accounts
• Other information in your credit reports

For many consumers, one hard inquiry causes a small, temporary change. It could have a more noticeable effect when the credit history is short, the report contains few accounts, or several recent applications already exist.

Payment history, amounts owed, credit utilization, and serious negative information generally have more influence than one inquiry. However, even a small change may matter when a borrower is near a lender’s qualification or pricing threshold.

Do not assume that every score change after an application was caused exclusively by the inquiry. Opening a new account, increasing a balance, changing utilization, or adding a new installment loan can also affect scores.

How Long Does a Hard Inquiry Stay on Your Credit Report?

Hard inquiries commonly remain on credit reports for up to two years.

Their scoring effect generally does not last for the full reporting period. FICO states that its scores generally consider inquiries from the previous 12 months.

The impact may also decline as the inquiry ages and you demonstrate responsible account management.

An inquiry reaching a particular age does not guarantee that your score will increase by a specific number of points. Scores consider the complete credit file at the time they are calculated.

Does Prequalification Cause a Hard Pull?

Prequalification commonly uses a soft inquiry, but not every process works the same way.

A lender may use limited information or a soft pull to estimate whether you meet preliminary criteria. If you decide to submit a formal application, the lender may then conduct a hard inquiry.

Prequalification is not final approval. The lender might change or withdraw the preliminary offer after reviewing:

• A complete credit report
• Verified income
• Employment
• Existing debts
• Property or collateral
• Identity information
• Other underwriting criteria

Read the disclosure before continuing. Look for language such as:

• “This will not affect your credit score”
• “Soft credit inquiry”
• “Checking your rate”
• “Submitting this application authorizes a hard inquiry”
• “Your credit report may be obtained”

If the language is unclear, ask whether continuing will result in a hard inquiry.

Prequalification can be particularly useful when comparing a personal loan with a personal line of credit because it may let you review estimated terms before formally applying.

Prequalification vs Preapproval

Prequalification and preapproval are marketing and underwriting terms whose meanings vary by company and product.

One lender’s preapproval may be based on a soft pull. Another preapproval process, particularly in mortgage lending, may involve a more extensive review and a hard inquiry.

Do not determine the inquiry type from the word “preapproved” alone.

Before submitting information, ask:

1. Will this produce a soft or hard inquiry?
2. Which credit bureau or bureaus will be accessed?
3. Is this a preliminary review or full application?
4. Are the displayed rate and terms guaranteed?
5. What additional verification will be required?

Hard Pull vs Soft Pull for Credit Cards

Checking whether you are prequalified for a credit card may involve a soft pull.

Submitting the full card application commonly results in a hard inquiry. The issuer may then approve, deny, or request additional information.

Applying for several cards within a short period can create multiple separate hard inquiries. Credit-card applications generally do not receive the same rate-shopping treatment commonly provided for eligible mortgage, auto-loan, and student-loan inquiries.

Apply selectively after comparing:

• Annual fee
• Purchase APR
• Balance-transfer terms
• Penalty APR
• Rewards
• Welcome-offer requirements
• Foreign-transaction fee
• Credit needed
• Issuer application rules

If you are comparing account types, our guide to charge cards versus credit cards explains their payment requirements, spending flexibility, fees, and potential credit effects.

Hard Pull vs Soft Pull for Personal Loans

Many personal-loan lenders allow prospective borrowers to check estimated offers through a soft inquiry.

A hard inquiry may occur when you:

• Select an offer
• Submit a full application
• Ask for final approval
• Provide authorization for underwriting

Do not assume that a prequalified APR will be the final rate. The lender may adjust the offer after verifying credit, income, debt, identity, and other information.

Avoid submitting full applications to numerous personal-loan lenders before determining which ones offer soft-pull prequalification.

Hard Pull vs Soft Pull for Mortgages

Mortgage prequalification may use limited information or a soft inquiry. A more formal preapproval or application may involve a hard pull.

Mortgage inquiries can receive special rate-shopping treatment under commonly used credit-scoring models.

The CFPB explains that inquiries for the same type of eligible loan made within a limited period may be treated as no more than a single inquiry for scoring purposes. The precise window can vary by scoring model.

FICO states that older versions may use a 14-day rate-shopping window while newer versions may use a period of up to 45 days.

Because borrowers generally do not know which scoring-model version a future lender will use, completing mortgage comparisons within a relatively short period may be prudent.

Rate shopping does not remove the inquiries from your reports. It affects how qualifying inquiries may be counted for scoring.

When comparing home-loan structures, also review our guide to fixed-rate versus adjustable-rate mortgages.

Hard Pull vs Soft Pull for Auto Loans

Auto-loan prequalification may use a soft pull. A complete financing application commonly causes a hard inquiry.

Consumers sometimes see multiple auto-loan inquiries after a dealership sends an application to several lenders. Those inquiries may be grouped for scoring if they are correctly coded as auto-loan inquiries and occur within the applicable rate-shopping period.

However:

• Each inquiry may still appear separately on the report.
• Different scoring models may use different windows.
• Credit-card or unrelated applications are not automatically grouped with auto inquiries.
• Grouping does not guarantee that the score will remain unchanged.

Compare financing from banks, credit unions, online lenders, and dealerships within a focused period.

Rate Shopping and Multiple Hard Inquiries

Rate shopping allows consumers to compare financing without necessarily being penalized as though every inquiry represented an unrelated new debt.

Eligible inquiry types commonly include:

• Mortgages
• Auto loans
• Certain student loans

Credit-scoring models try to recognize that multiple applications for the same installment loan may represent comparison shopping rather than attempts to open numerous accounts.

The applicable window can range from approximately 14 to 45 days, depending on the model. Some FICO models may also disregard qualifying rate-shopping inquiries made within the 30 days immediately before the score is calculated.

To reduce uncertainty:

• Complete comparisons within a short period.
• Apply for the same type of loan.
• Avoid unrelated credit applications during the shopping period.
• Retain application and offer records.
• Compare complete loan costs, not just interest rates.

Do not spread applications across several months based on an assumption that every inquiry will be grouped.

Can a Landlord Perform a Hard Pull?

A rental credit check may be soft or hard.

Landlords and tenant-screening companies use different procedures. The inquiry may also involve more than a conventional credit report, such as:

• Rental history
• Eviction records
• Income verification
• Criminal-history information where permitted
• Identity verification
• References

Ask the landlord or screening company whether the credit check will affect your score before authorizing it.

Can an Employer Check Your Credit?

An employer may review a version of your credit report when legally permitted and after satisfying applicable disclosure and authorization requirements.

Employment-related credit checks are generally soft inquiries and do not affect credit scores. Employers do not receive a credit score through a standard employment credit report.

Federal, state, and local restrictions can limit when an employer may use credit information. The rules vary by location and employment type.

Can an Existing Creditor Check Your Credit?

An existing creditor may periodically review your credit as part of account management.

For example, a card issuer might review your file to:

• Monitor risk
• Determine eligibility for an offer
• Review an account
• Consider a credit-limit change
• Detect unusual activity

An existing-account review is generally a soft inquiry and does not affect your score.

However, a consumer-requested credit-limit increase might produce either a soft or hard inquiry depending on the issuer. Ask before submitting the request.

Can Soft Pulls Be Seen by Lenders?

Soft inquiries may appear in the version of the credit report provided to you, but they generally are not shown to lenders reviewing your file.

Hard inquiries are visible to other lenders because they indicate applications for new credit.

This distinction is one reason hard inquiries may influence scores while soft inquiries do not.

Can Too Many Soft Pulls Hurt Your Credit?

No. Soft inquiries do not affect credit scores, even when several occur.

A large number of soft pulls might appear because:

• You check your reports regularly.
• Existing creditors review accounts.
• Companies conduct prescreening.
• You use prequalification tools.
• A credit-monitoring service updates your information.

The quantity of soft inquiries does not convert them into hard inquiries.

Does a Hard Pull Guarantee Approval?

No. A hard pull means that a credit report was accessed in connection with an application or another qualifying transaction. It does not mean the applicant will be approved.

A lender may deny an application because of:

• Credit history
• Income
• High debt obligations
• Insufficient collateral
• Unstable employment
• Identity-verification problems
• Recent delinquencies
• Internal underwriting policies
• Incomplete documentation

The inquiry may remain even after a denial because it accurately reflects that the credit application occurred.

Can You Remove a Hard Inquiry?

A legitimate hard inquiry generally cannot be removed merely because it lowered your score, the lender denied the application, or you changed your mind.

You may dispute an inquiry if it is:

• Unfamiliar
• Inaccurately reported
• Duplicated due to an error
• Not authorized when authorization was required
• Connected to possible identity theft

Before disputing it, investigate the company name. The name listed on a report may differ from the consumer-facing brand because a lender uses a parent company, financing partner, or third-party service.

You can contact the listed company and ask:

• Why was the report accessed?
• When did the inquiry occur?
• What application or permissible purpose supported it?
• Which company requested it?
• Can it provide relevant records?

If the inquiry is inaccurate, dispute it with the credit bureau reporting it and with the business that supplied the information.

The Federal Trade Commission’s dispute guidance explains how to identify the disputed item, provide supporting documents, and request correction.

Do not dispute a legitimate inquiry by falsely claiming identity theft. Accurate, current information generally cannot legally be removed simply because it is unfavorable.

What to Do About an Unauthorized Hard Inquiry

An unauthorized inquiry can indicate an administrative error or attempted identity theft.

Take these steps:

1. Obtain your reports from all three nationwide credit bureaus.
2. Identify which report contains the inquiry.
3. Research the company’s listed name.
4. Contact the company using independently verified contact information.
5. Ask what application or transaction produced the inquiry.
6. Dispute inaccurate information with the relevant bureau.
7. Keep copies of correspondence and supporting records.
8. Review your reports for unfamiliar accounts.
9. Consider a fraud alert or credit freeze if identity theft is suspected.
10. Report identity theft through IdentityTheft.gov when appropriate.

A credit freeze can make it harder for an identity thief to open a new account. Freezing or lifting a freeze is free and does not affect your credit score.

Our comparison of a fraud alert and credit freeze explains their different protections and when each may be useful.

How to Minimize the Effect of Hard Pulls

You cannot always avoid hard inquiries when applying for credit, but you can manage them.

Use Soft-Pull Prequalification

Check estimated eligibility before submitting a complete application where a legitimate soft-pull option is available.

Apply Selectively

Compare the product’s basic requirements before authorizing a hard inquiry.

Group Eligible Rate Shopping

Complete mortgage, auto-loan, or eligible student-loan comparisons within a focused period.

Avoid Several Unrelated Applications

Do not apply for multiple credit cards, personal loans, and retail accounts simply to see which ones approve you.

Review Credit Before Applying

Correct errors and identify potential problems before a lender checks your reports.

Ask About the Inquiry Type

Ask directly whether an action will produce a soft or hard inquiry.

Do Not Apply Only for a Promotional Discount

A small retail discount may not justify opening an unnecessary account and producing another inquiry.

Space Out Nonessential Applications

Allow your credit profile to stabilize when a new account is not immediately necessary.

How to Check Your Credit Inquiries

Obtain reports from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion through AnnualCreditReport.com.

Locate the inquiries section, which may be divided into categories such as:

• Inquiries shared with others
• Regular inquiries
• Hard inquiries
• Promotional inquiries
• Account-review inquiries
• Soft inquiries

For every unfamiliar hard inquiry, record:

• Company name
• Date
• Credit bureau
• Contact details
• Possible related application
• Steps taken to investigate it

An inquiry may appear on one report but not the others if the company accessed only one credit bureau.

Soft Pull vs Hard Pull and Your Credit Score

Understanding inquiries is important, but they are only one part of a credit profile.

Credit scores may also consider:

• Payment history
• Credit utilization
• Amounts owed
• Age of accounts
• Account types
• Recent credit activity
• Serious negative information

Avoid focusing so heavily on one inquiry that you overlook late payments or high revolving balances.

Credit scores can also differ because lenders use different scoring models and report data from different bureaus. Our guide explaining credit scores versus FICO Scores provides more detail about why consumers can have multiple scores.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a soft pull affect your credit score?

No. Soft inquiries do not affect credit scores.

Does a hard pull lower your credit score?

It may temporarily lower some scores. The precise impact depends on the scoring model and the consumer’s overall credit profile.

How many points does a hard inquiry cost?

There is no universal number. The effect may be small for many consumers but can vary depending on the credit file and scoring model.

How long does a hard pull stay on your credit report?

A hard inquiry generally remains for up to two years. FICO Scores generally consider inquiries from the previous 12 months.

How long does a soft pull stay on your report?

Soft inquiries may appear in the consumer-facing version of a credit report for a period determined by the credit bureau. Their presence does not affect credit scores.

Can I check my credit without hurting it?

Yes. Checking your own reports and scores produces a soft inquiry.

Does prequalification hurt your credit?

Prequalification commonly uses a soft pull, but policies vary. Read the disclosure before continuing.

Is preapproval a hard or soft pull?

It can be either, depending on the lender, product, and process. Ask whether the review affects your score.

Do multiple mortgage inquiries count as one?

Credit-scoring models may group eligible mortgage inquiries occurring within an applicable rate-shopping window. The inquiries can still appear separately on your reports.

Do multiple credit-card inquiries count as one?

Generally, credit-card applications do not receive the rate-shopping treatment used for certain mortgage, auto, and student-loan inquiries.

Can an apartment credit check hurt your score?

It might. Rental screening can use a hard or soft inquiry depending on the company. Ask before authorizing the check.

Is a credit-limit increase a hard pull?

It depends on the issuer and process. Some use a soft inquiry, while others may conduct a hard pull after a consumer-requested increase.

Can a hard inquiry be removed after denial?

A legitimate inquiry does not become inaccurate because the application was denied. Only inaccurate, duplicated, unauthorized, or fraud-related entries should be disputed.

Is a soft pull less accurate?

Not necessarily. The information provided can depend on the service, permissible purpose, bureau, and product. “Soft” describes the inquiry’s treatment and score effect rather than guaranteeing a limited dataset.

Can employers see your credit score?

A standard employment credit report generally does not include a credit score. Employment checks are subject to federal and applicable state or local laws.

Final Thoughts

The central difference between a soft pull and hard pull is their connection to new credit and their effect on credit scores.

A soft pull may occur when you check your own credit, seek prequalification, receive a prescreened offer, or have an existing account reviewed. It does not affect your credit scores and generally is not visible to other lenders.

A hard pull commonly occurs when you formally apply for a mortgage, credit card, auto loan, personal loan, or another credit product. It may temporarily lower some scores and can remain visible on credit reports for up to two years.

Do not avoid necessary rate shopping solely because it may generate inquiries. Instead, use soft-pull tools when available, submit full applications selectively, and complete eligible loan comparisons within a focused period.

Regularly review all three credit reports. Investigate unfamiliar inquiries, dispute genuine errors, and use a fraud alert or credit freeze if you suspect identity theft.

A hard inquiry is not automatically harmful, and a soft inquiry is not an approval. Understanding what each credit check means helps you compare financial products while protecting your credit profile.

This article provides general educational information and does not constitute legal, lending, or individualized financial advice. Credit-reporting practices, scoring models, lender policies, and applicable laws may differ. Review relevant disclosures and consult qualified professionals when necessary.