Does Checking Your Credit Score Hurt It? (Soft vs Hard Inquiry Explained)
Does Checking Your Credit Score Hurt It? (Soft vs Hard Inquiry Explained) Last updated: April 7, 2026 No. Checking your own credit score or credit report does not hurt your credit score. What usually confuses people is that not every credit check is the same. Some checks are soft inquiries , which do not affect your score. Others are hard inquiries , which can affect your score because they usually happen when you apply for new credit. Short Answer - Checking your own credit score or report does not hurt your score. - A soft inquiry does not affect your credit score. - A hard inquiry can affect your credit score, usually when you apply for a new credit card, loan, or line of credit. - Prescreened offers and account reviews are usually soft inquiries, so they generally do not hurt your score. - You can get your free credit reports from the official site, and free weekly online reports remain available. What Is a Soft Inquiry? A soft inquiry...