Will one hard search affect my credit score?

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A single hard credit inquiry typically lowers your credit score by a small amount, usually less than five points for FICO® and potentially up to 10 points for VantageScore®. This impact is often temporary, lasting only a few months.
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That One Time You Checked Your Credit: Will It Really Hurt Your Score?

We all do it. We’re applying for a loan, a credit card, maybe even renting an apartment. And before we know it, we’re submitting our information, knowing that a hard inquiry – a deep dive into our credit history – is underway. But the question lingers: will this single search significantly damage my credit score?

The short answer is: probably not dramatically. While a hard inquiry does affect your credit score, the impact is usually minimal and temporary. Think of it less like a hammer blow and more like a gentle nudge.

Most credit scoring models, such as the widely used FICO® score, typically see a drop of less than five points following a single hard inquiry. VantageScore®, another popular scoring system, might show a slightly larger decrease, potentially up to ten points. These numbers can vary based on your overall credit profile and the specific scoring model used by a lender or credit bureau.

The crucial point is the temporariness of this impact. The dip in your score is generally short-lived, often lasting only a few months. After that period, its influence fades, and your score tends to return to its pre-inquiry level, especially if your overall credit behavior remains healthy (on-time payments, low credit utilization, etc.).

Why the relatively minor impact? Credit scoring models recognize that people shop around for the best financial products. A single hard inquiry in a short period is usually seen as part of this normal process, rather than a sign of increased risk. However, numerous hard inquiries within a short timeframe (e.g., applying for several credit cards simultaneously) can raise red flags and have a more significant negative impact.

Therefore, while it’s best to avoid unnecessary hard inquiries, don’t panic over a single one. Focus on maintaining good credit habits – paying your bills on time, keeping your credit utilization low, and diversifying your credit mix – to outweigh the minor, temporary effect of a single hard inquiry. Your responsible financial behavior will ultimately have a far more substantial and long-lasting positive effect on your credit score than that one-time search.