Learn · Credit glossary
What Is Hard inquiry in Credit? Definition and Why It Matters
Hard inquiry: the short version
In credit, hard inquiry is a credit pull tied to an application.
Why it matters
It can trim a few points for up to a year and falls off after two.
An example
Say you review your reports and run into hard inquiry for the first time. Check how it appears on each bureau, note the dates, and use the resources below before deciding what to do; small misunderstandings about hard inquiry cause many avoidable mistakes.
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Educational information only. Not financial, legal or credit-repair advice, and no outcome is promised. Verify current rules with the official sources linked below before acting.
Official sources: annualcreditreport.com (free weekly reports), consumerfinance.gov, ftc.gov.