Credit glossary
Hard inquiry
A credit check that happens when you apply for credit, which can lower FICO Scores slightly for up to a year.
FICO says that for most people, one additional inquiry takes less than five points off their FICO Scores. Inquiries stay on your report for up to two years, but FICO Scores count only those from the last 12 months. The cost can be larger on a thin or young file, and several close together add up. Only applications create them; checking your own credit never does.
Shopping for a mortgage, auto or student loan gets special treatment. Newer FICO versions group those inquiries within 45 days, older ones within 14 days, and FICO ignores them entirely for 30 days before scoring. Card applications don't get that grouping. An inquiry you didn't authorize can be raised with the company that pulled it and disputed with the bureau.
Guides that go deeper
- Hard vs. soft inquiries: which credit checks count against youA hard inquiry comes from a credit application and can trim your score. A soft one never does. A table of the common checks, gray zones included.
- How much does a hard inquiry lower your credit score?FICO says one more inquiry takes fewer than five points off for most people. What that figure leaves out, and the cases where a few points decide a loan.
- Removing hard inquiries you didn't authorize, the legitimate wayAn inquiry you never authorized can be disputed, and one from fraud can be blocked. One you did authorize can't. How to sort them and fix each kind.
Sources
- Credit Checks: What are credit inquiries and how do they affect your FICO Score?, myFICO
- How to Rate Shop and Minimize the Impact to Your FICO Scores, myFICO
- Understanding Hard Inquiries on Your Credit Report, Equifax
- How Many Points Does an Inquiry Drop Your Credit Score?, Experian
This is education, not legal or financial advice. Spot an error? Tell us and we'll fix it.