Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower It?

Credit scores often seem to change without rhyme or reason, so it’s natural to ask, “Does checking my credit score lower it?”

In most cases, the answer is no. Here’s what you should know about what checking your credit score does and what other factors might affect your score.

Does checking your credit score lower it?

There are many different ways to check your credit, with various credit monitoring tools, dashboards, and card issuer details available. In general, these checks are soft inquiries. A soft inquiry is purely for informational purposes, and it doesn’t count against you in most credit scoring models.

People often ask, “Does checking my credit score lower it?” because they notice a drop shortly after checking it. However, this usually happens because they check their score around the time they apply for a loan or make changes to an account. These factors can lower your credit score, and it isn’t always clear what’s to blame. 

Changes in your score may be delayed, so it can look like just checking it led to the drop. Scores also vary based on a complex range of factors, including utilization and account age. These can lead to drops without an apparent cause, and your score can decline a little even if it doesn’t look like your credit report has changed much.

What’s the difference between hard vs. soft inquiries?

Soft inquiries involve just looking for information instead of applying for credit. They include looking up your own credit score, prequalifying for credit, or using tools and apps to monitor your finances.

Hard inquiries are different. These happen when you are trying to get credit. The lender will pull your file to help determine whether to approve your new account or loan. Hard inquiries do affect your score. That’s because frequent credit applications could make you a borrowing risk.

A lot of confusion happens because the term “credit check” is used for both soft inquiries and hard inquiries, even though they’re quite different. If you’re ever unsure about whether something is going to be a hard or soft inquiry, don’t hesitate to ask. Reputable lenders and services will make this information readily available.

For example, signing up for Kikoff does not require a hard inquiry. This app helps you start building credit without the potential negative impact that comes with a hard credit check. If you’re monitoring your score because you’re trying to improve it, you can take a step toward stronger credit habits with Kikoff.

How lenders’ credit checks affect your score

If you’re shopping for credit, you should understand how lenders’ credit checks will affect your score. When you apply for a credit card, car loan, or mortgage, for example, the lender will probably initiate a hard inquiry. 

When possible, you should use prequalification tools to avoid unnecessary hard credit checks. However, the impact of a single hard inquiry is typically minor and short-lived. If you have a long credit history, it is unlikely to lead to a significant drop. 

In contrast, anyone with a limited credit history, existing issues, or multiple inquiries close together could see their score drop quickly.

How often you should check your credit score

If you’re asking, “Does checking my credit score lower it?” you should know that monitoring your credit through most tools doesn’t have an impact. Instead, it’s a prudent way to keep track of your credit.

For most people, just checking their credit monthly is enough. Most creditors report about once a month, so this lets you spot any meaningful changes like unexpected inquiries or new accounts. You can also check your score before submitting a credit application to fix any issues that could prevent you from being approved.

Don’t hesitate to monitor your credit

Checking your own score through most methods is a soft inquiry, so it won’t impact your score. Any changes you do notice are likely from newly reported balances or accounts, or from hard inquiries. Monitoring your credit won’t lower your score, and it can help you spot any potential issues so that you can resolve them quickly.