Hard pulls vs soft pulls, explained simply.

Not every credit check is the same, and knowing the difference saves a lot of unnecessary worry.

• Soft pulls. Checking your own credit, seeing a pre-approval offer, or a background-style check. Soft pulls do not affect your score at all.
• Hard pulls. When you apply for new credit and a lender reviews your report. A hard pull can lower your score slightly and usually stays on your report for about two years.
• Rate shopping. Several hard pulls for the same kind of loan, like an auto loan or a mortgage, within a short window are generally treated as a single inquiry.

So you can check your own credit as often as you like with no penalty. Just be a little more intentional about formal applications, and avoid opening several new accounts at once.

Check your own credit freely. Be deliberate about applications.

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