What each type of inquiry means for your score, and when each one actually happens.
Not all credit inquiries are created equal. Soft pulls happen all the time without affecting your score — a lender can run one in the background without even asking you. Hard pulls are different: they can shave 5–10 points off your score, and they stick around on your credit report for up to two years (though their scoring impact fades after 12 months).
A soft inquiry doesn't affect your credit score. It's visible on your personal copy of your credit report, but not on the versions lenders see. Soft pulls happen when:
A hard inquiry occurs when you formally apply for new credit and the lender needs the full picture to decide. Each hard inquiry typically costs 5–10 FICO® points, and the effect fades over roughly 12 months. Hard pulls happen when:
Both FICO® and VantageScore® have a rate-shopping window — if you apply to multiple lenders for the same loan type within a short window (14–45 days depending on the scoring model), the inquiries are grouped and count as one. This covers:
Credit cards don't get this protection — each card application is its own hard inquiry.
Kovo Credit uses a soft inquiry at pre-qualification — no score impact. A hard inquiry only occurs if you accept a specific partner lender's loan offer and the lender finalizes underwriting. Enrolling in the Credit Builder itself does not trigger a hard inquiry.
If you have a thick, long credit file, a hard inquiry is noise — you'll barely notice it. If you have a thin file, a hard inquiry can be a meaningful percentage of your score. The practical rule: don't stack hard inquiries during a credit-building phase. One at a time, spaced out, applied for products you actually need.
Soft inquiries are free information. Hard inquiries cost you a few points. Treat each hard pull like a small purchase — only make it if what you're buying is worth it.
Kovo Credit guides are reviewed for accuracy by our credit education team. Spot an error? Let us know through our contact page.