Hard Inquiry
A credit check triggered by a new credit application — it can temporarily lower your score, but less than most people think.
Quick Definition
A hard inquiry happens when a lender checks your full credit report because you applied for new credit. It only happens with your permission as part of an application — checking your own score never counts.
Impact on Your Score
Most hard inquiries lower your score by about 5 to 10 points. One inquiry rarely moves the needle much — what raises red flags is several inquiries for unrelated credit in a short window.
Tip
If you're rate-shopping for a mortgage or auto loan, multiple inquiries within a 14–45 day window usually count as just one.
How Long It Lasts
It stays on your report for two years, but stops affecting your score much sooner — usually after about 12 months.
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BlogWhat Is a Hard Inquiry? How It Affects Your Credit Score
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