Does Checking Your Own Credit Score Lower It? Here Is the Truth

One of the most persistent myths in personal finance is that checking your own credit score will hurt it. If you have ever hesitated to look at your score because you were afraid it would drop, you are not alone. The good news is simple: does checking your own credit score lower it? No — and understanding why can help you take control of your financial health with confidence.

In this guide, we will break down the difference between soft and hard inquiries, explain exactly what affects your score, and show you why regular self-checks are one of the smartest habits you can build.

Soft Inquiries vs Hard Inquiries: What Is the Difference?

The key to understanding why checking your own credit score does not hurt it lies in the type of inquiry being made. Credit inquiries fall into two categories:

Soft Inquiries (Safe — No Impact)

A soft inquiry occurs when you — or a company — checks your credit for informational purposes. Soft inquiries do not affect your credit score at all. Common examples include:

Checking your own credit score through a free monitoring service or your bank’s app
Pulling your own credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com
Employer background checks (with your permission)
Pre-qualification or pre-approval offers from lenders
Existing creditors reviewing your account

When you check your own credit score through services like Credit Karma, your bank’s mobile app, or directly from the bureaus, it is always a soft inquiry. This means you can check as often as you like without any consequences.

Hard Inquiries (Can Lower Your Score)

A hard inquiry happens when a lender checks your credit because you have applied for new credit — a mortgage, auto loan, credit card, or personal loan. Hard inquiries can lower your score by a few points (typically 5 to 10 points) and remain on your report for up to two years, though their impact usually fades within a few months.

Examples of actions that trigger a hard inquiry include:

Applying for a new credit card
Submitting a mortgage or auto loan application
Requesting a personal loan or line of credit
Some apartment rental applications

Why the Myth Persists

The confusion around whether checking your own credit score lowers it likely comes from people mixing up soft and hard inquiries. In the past, credit monitoring tools were less common, and the only time most people had their credit checked was when they applied for something. That application triggered a hard inquiry, which could ding their score. Over time, people started associating any credit check with a score drop.

Today, free credit monitoring is widely available, and the distinction between soft and hard inquiries is clearly explained by most financial institutions. Still, the myth lingers — and it stops people from staying informed about their own credit health.

How Often Should You Check Your Credit Score?

Since checking your own credit score does not lower it, how often should you do it? The answer is: more often than you probably think. Here are some guidelines:

Monthly: A quick monthly check helps you spot trends, catch errors early, and stay motivated on your credit-building journey.
Before major financial moves: Check your score before applying for a mortgage, auto loan, or new credit card so you know where you stand.
After identity theft or fraud: If you suspect your information has been compromised, frequent checks help you catch unauthorized accounts quickly.
After paying off debt: Monitor your score to see the positive impact of reducing your balances.

Best Free Ways to Check Your Credit Score

You have several reliable, free options for checking your credit score without triggering a hard inquiry:

Your bank or credit card issuer: Many major banks and card issuers now provide free FICO scores or VantageScores through their mobile apps and online portals.
AnnualCreditReport.com: This is the only federally authorized source for free credit reports from all three bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion).
Free credit monitoring services: Tools like Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, and others offer free score tracking with no impact on your credit.
Nonprofit credit counselors: If you are working with a HUD-approved housing counselor or nonprofit credit agency, they can pull your report and score as part of their services.

What Actually Lowers Your Credit Score?

Now that you know checking your own score is safe, it helps to understand what actually affects it. The major factors that influence your FICO score are:

Payment history (35%): Late or missed payments are the single biggest factor. Even one 30-day late payment can cause a significant drop.
Credit utilization (30%): How much of your available credit you are using. Keeping balances below 30% — ideally under 10% — is best.
Length of credit history (15%): Longer histories generally help your score. Avoid closing your oldest accounts.
Credit mix (10%): Having a variety of account types (credit cards, installment loans, mortgage) can help.
New credit (10%): Multiple hard inquiries from new applications in a short period can lower your score.

Notice that soft inquiries — like checking your own score — are not part of this formula at all. For a deeper breakdown of how scores are calculated, see our guide on how credit scores are calculated.

Does Checking Your Credit Report Lower Your Score?

No. Pulling your own credit report — whether through AnnualCreditReport.com, a bureau website, or a monitoring service — is always a soft inquiry. Your credit report and your credit score are related but different things. Your report is the detailed record of your accounts and payment history; your score is the number derived from that data. Checking either one on your own is completely safe.

In fact, reviewing your credit report regularly is one of the best ways to catch errors that could be dragging your score down. If you find a mistake, you can file a dispute directly with the bureau. Learn more in our article on how to dispute credit report errors.

Does a Pre-Approval Affect Your Credit Score?

Pre-qualification and pre-approval offers typically involve a soft inquiry, so they do not affect your score. However, if you move forward and submit a full application, that will trigger a hard inquiry. One important exception: when you are rate shopping for a mortgage, auto loan, or student loan, multiple inquiries within a 14 to 45 day window are usually counted as a single inquiry for scoring purposes. This means you can compare offers from several lenders without worrying about multiple hits to your score.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does checking your own credit score lower it?
No. Checking your own credit score is always a soft inquiry and has zero impact on your score. You can check as often as you like.

How many points does a hard inquiry drop your score?
A single hard inquiry typically lowers your score by 5 to 10 points. The impact fades within a few months and the inquiry falls off your report entirely after two years.

Is it bad to check your credit score every day?
No. Daily checks are unnecessary for most people, but they will not hurt your score at all. Monthly monitoring is a practical habit for most consumers.

Can employers see your credit score?
Employers can pull a modified version of your credit report (with your written permission), but they do not see your actual credit score. This is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score.

Does Credit Karma lower your score?
No. Credit Karma uses soft inquiries to show you your score, so using the service has absolutely no impact on your credit.