Soft Pull vs Hard Pull: What’s the Difference & Why Should You Care?

If you’re working on building credit, applying for loans, or checking your credit score, you’ve probably seen the terms soft pull and hard pull. But what do they actually mean? And more importantly; how do they affect your credit score?

The truth is, both types of inquiries serve different purposes. Understanding the difference can help you protect your credit while still applying for what you need. Let’s break it down in plain English.

What Is a Soft Pull?

A soft pull (also called a soft inquiry) happens when someone checks your credit without you actively applying for new credit. A soft pull happens for several reasons, including pre-approval unsecured credit card and auto loan offers, credit monitoring services, employment background checks, insurance quotes and more.

Soft pulls are only visible to you and are not supposed to be visible to lenders and do NOT affect your credit score.

What Is a Hard Pull?

A hard pull (or hard inquiry) is when a lender checks your credit because you’re applying for credit or financing. This type of credit pull type can affect your credit score, especially if you apply too often. Examples of hard credit pulls include credit card applications, mortgage applications, auto loans, personal loans, and even apartment or rental applications.

Hard inquiries are visible to lenders, and too many inquiries in a short period may look risky to creditors.

How a Hard Inquiry Affects Your Credit Score

Hard inquiries typically lower your credit score by a few points temporarily. Most people only see a drop of 3–8 points per inquiry and the effect is usually small and fades over time. Hard pulls generally stay on your credit report for about 2 years, but they usually only impact your score for the first 12 months.

Can You Avoid Hard Pulls?

Yes! Sometimes you can ask if a lender to prequalify you before pulling a hard pull. The pre-approval or pre-qualification process will give them an idea if you will be approved, but may not guarantee the approval until the hard credit pull is completed. These options let you check your chances of approval without damaging your credit.

Why a Soft Credit Pull is Helpful

Soft inquiries are a great tool because you can monitor your score, shop around for loans, check credit card pre-approvals and compare offers; all without impacting your credit.

When a Hard Credit Pull Makes Sense

A hard inquiry isn’t a bad thing; it simply means you’re applying for credit and there are many times this is necessary, such as: buying a home or car and opening a credit card or even renting a home or apartment. Just avoid applying for too many credit products at once.

Soft Pull vs Hard Pull: Side-by-Side Comparison

Soft Pull	Hard Pull
Does not affect credit score	Can lower credit score slightly
Does not require permission	Requires authorization
Not visible to lenders	Visible to lenders
Used for pre-checks	Used for actual applications

How Many Hard Inquiries Are Too Many?

Multiple hard inquiries in a short time may signal financial risk to lenders. A good rule of thumb is to limit new credit applications and avoid applying for several accounts at once.

Does Checking Your Credit Hurt Your Score?

No! Checking your own credit is always considered a soft inquiry. It never hurts your score.

Bottom Line

At the end of the day, the difference between a soft pull vs hard pull comes down to impact and timing. Knowing which one a lender uses before you apply can help you avoid unnecessary credit score drops and make smarter decisions as you rebuild or protect your credit. A few minutes of research, or asking the right question upfront, can save you months of frustration later. If you’re working to improve your financial situation, understanding how your credit is checked is one of those small details that can make a real difference