Quick answer: A hard inquiry generally occurs when a lender checks credit in connection with an application. A soft inquiry can occur for monitoring, pre-screening, or checking your own credit.
What is a hard inquiry?
A hard inquiry is commonly associated with applying for new credit, such as a credit card, auto loan, or mortgage. It can be visible to other lenders and may affect some credit scores.
What is a soft inquiry?
Soft inquiries can happen when you check your own credit, when an existing creditor reviews an account, or during certain pre-screening processes. They generally are not treated like applications for new credit by scoring models.
Does rate shopping count as many inquiries?
Some scoring models group certain loan-shopping inquiries made within a defined shopping window, but the details vary by model and loan type. Do not assume every application will be grouped.
Next steps
See the credit score guide and credit report guide.
Sources and verification
For current consumer-credit information, use primary resources from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, and federally authorized credit-report sources. Card-specific rates, fees, grace periods, and reporting practices should be verified with the issuer.
Reviewed September 25, 2026. General education only; not individualized financial, legal, or credit-repair advice.