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How Many Hard Credit Inquiries Are Too Many?

4 min read

Last Updated: December 2, 2025

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Key Takeaways

A single hard credit inquiry may have a small negative impact on your credit score.
Multiple credit card inquiries may signal to lenders that you’re overextended and may be a risky borrower.
Hard inquiries for multiple student, home, or auto loans within a few weeks of each other may be treated as a single hard inquiry by credit bureaus.

Applying for a credit card, home loan, or auto loan typically results in a hard credit inquiry. A hard credit inquiry, also known as a hard credit pull or hard credit check, occurs when a lender requests access to your credit report after you’ve applied for new credit.

Finding the right credit card or loan for your circumstances may take some time and research. As you shop around for the best terms, you may feel tempted to apply for many credit cards or loans at once to understand your options better. But beware: Multiple applications often lead to multiple credit inquiries. Multiple hard pulls may have a meaningful impact on your credit score, depending on the timeframe and type of credit.

What is a hard inquiry vs. a soft inquiry?

There are two types of credit inquiries. While both types of credit inquiry involve a third party accessing your credit report, key differences set them apart.

Hard inquiry. A hard inquiry is a review of your credit report associated with an application for new credit. When you apply for a new credit card, personal loan, mortgage, auto loan, or any other form of credit, the lender typically requests access to your credit report from a major credit bureau. Their decision about whether to extend credit to you depends, at least in part, on the information in your report.
Soft inquiry. A soft credit inquiry (sometimes called a “soft credit pull” or “soft credit check”) is any review of your credit report that isn’t associated with a credit application. Banks, lenders, property management companies, prospective employers, and others may check your credit report for reasons beyond extending credit. When you check your own credit report, you also trigger a soft credit inquiry.

How do credit inquiries impact credit scores?

Soft credit inquiries don’t impact your credit scores at all, no matter how many you have. But hard inquiries may bring down your credit score.

The impact of hard credit checks on your credit score depends on the situation and credit scoring model. A single hard credit inquiry may cause your score to drop by a couple of points. You might be able to repair it quickly by practicing responsible credit habits.

While each individual hard credit inquiry may have a minimal negative effect on your credit score, multiple inquiries over a short period may do more damage. Comparing your options may help you make sure a card is a good fit before you apply.

Compare

Applications for multiple credit cards within a short timeframe may suggest to lenders that you’re a credit risk. For example, applying for a dozen credit cards within two years might make a credit card issuer think you’re struggling financially and may not be in the best position to take on more credit card debt.

How does rate shopping impact how many inquiries you have?

Hard credit inquiries may work a little differently for certain types of loans. Credit bureaus may treat multiple inquiries like a single hard credit inquiry for student loans, mortgages, and auto loans, as long as you submit the applications within a short timeframe (often 14 to 45 days), according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

This practice, called “rate shopping”, might help you find the best home, auto, or student loan terms. But rate shopping doesn’t apply to credit cards. Each new credit card application usually results in a new hard inquiry in your credit file.

How long do hard inquiries last on your credit report?

Each hard credit check remains on your credit report for two years. But hard credit inquiries may only impact your credit score for one year, depending on the credit scoring model.

Did you know?

Some credit card issuers offer a pre-qualification tool that may give you an idea of the offers you may qualify for without a hard credit inquiry. See what Discover offers you could be pre-approved for with no harm to your credit score.¹

See if You’re Pre-Approved

The bottom line

While there’s no set number of hard credit inquiries your credit report may withstand before your score begins to suffer, it’s best to keep them to a minimum. To avoid hurting your credit score, you may want to apply for credit only when you need it. If a credit card offer looks enticing, consider your eligibility before you apply. Checking your credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com may give you an idea of where your credit stands—and, remember, it doesn’t hurt your credit score.

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