If you’ve ever hesitated before checking your credit score because you were afraid it might lower it, you’re definitely not alone.

It’s one of the most common credit myths in the U.S. Many people avoid checking their score for months—or even years—because they believe simply looking at it could hurt their credit.

The good news? Checking your own credit score does not hurt your credit score.

In fact, regularly keeping an eye on your credit is one of the smartest financial habits you can develop. It helps you catch mistakes, monitor your progress, and spot signs of identity theft before they become expensive problems.

In this guide, you’ll learn exactly why checking your own credit doesn’t affect your score, when credit checks can lower it, the difference between soft and hard inquiries, and how to monitor your credit the right way.

The Short Answer

No.

When you check your own credit score or credit report, it creates what’s known as a soft inquiry (sometimes called a soft pull). Soft inquiries do not affect your credit score.

You can check your score as often as you’d like without worrying about damaging your credit.

Whether you’re using your bank’s credit monitoring feature, a credit card app, or requesting your own credit report, your score stays the same.

Think of it like checking your bank account balance. Looking at the number doesn’t change how much money is in the account—it simply tells you where you stand.

Why This Myth Exists

The confusion usually comes from hearing that “credit inquiries lower your score.”

That’s only partly true.

There are two different types of credit inquiries, and they don’t have the same impact.

Understanding this difference clears up almost all of the confusion.

What Is a Soft Inquiry?

A soft inquiry happens when your credit information is viewed without a lending decision being made.

Common examples include:

• Checking your own credit score
• Using a free credit monitoring service
• Viewing your score through your bank
• Pre-qualified credit card offers
• Insurance quote screenings
• Some employment-related background checks where allowed by law

Because you’re not asking a lender to extend new credit, these inquiries aren’t considered risky.

That’s why they don’t affect your credit score.

What Is a Hard Inquiry?

A hard inquiry happens when you apply for new credit and a lender reviews your credit report to decide whether to approve your application.

Examples include:

• Credit card applications
• Auto loans
• Mortgage applications
• Personal loans
• Student loans
• Some apartment rental applications

Hard inquiries can temporarily lower your score by a few points because lenders see frequent applications as a possible sign of financial stress.

However, the impact is usually small.

For many people, it’s only around 5 points or less, although the exact effect depends on the rest of your credit profile.

How Long Do Hard Inquiries Stay on Your Credit Report?

A hard inquiry generally remains on your credit report for up to two years.

However, its effect on your credit score usually fades much sooner.

For most scoring models:

• Greatest impact occurs during the first few months.
• Little impact after about one year.
• Automatically falls off your report after two years.

If you have a long history of responsible credit use, one hard inquiry is unlikely to make a significant difference.

Can Checking My Credit Every Day Hurt It?

No.

Whether you check your score once a year, once a month, or every morning with your coffee, it won’t lower your credit score.

Many people enjoy using free monitoring services because they can:

• Track score changes
• Receive fraud alerts
• Monitor new accounts
• Catch reporting errors early

Regular monitoring can actually help you protect your financial health.

Why You Should Check Your Credit Regularly

Many people only think about their credit when they’re applying for a loan.

That’s often too late.

A common situation is someone applying for a mortgage only to discover an old collection account or an incorrect late payment they didn’t know existed. Fixing those issues can take weeks or even months, potentially delaying important financial plans.

Checking your credit throughout the year gives you time to identify and resolve problems before they matter most.

Regular monitoring can help you:

• Catch identity theft quickly
• Find reporting errors
• Track your progress after paying down debt
• See how financial decisions affect your score
• Prepare for future loan applications

What Actually Affects Your Credit Score?

If checking your score doesn’t lower it, what does?

Your credit score is mainly influenced by several factors.

Payment History

Paying your bills on time is one of the biggest contributors to a healthy credit score.

Even one late payment can remain on your credit report for years.

Credit Utilization

This is the percentage of your available credit you’re currently using.

For example:

• Credit limit: $5,000
• Balance: $1,000

Your utilization is 20%.

Many financial experts suggest keeping utilization below about 30%, and lower may be even better if it’s practical for your situation.

Length of Credit History

Older accounts generally help your score because they show a longer track record of responsible borrowing.

Closing your oldest credit card isn’t always the best decision, especially if it has no annual fee.

Credit Mix

Having experience with different types of credit—such as credit cards, auto loans, or mortgages—can help your score over time.

That doesn’t mean you should open accounts you don’t need.

New Credit Applications

Applying for multiple credit accounts within a short period can result in several hard inquiries and temporarily reduce your score.

That’s why it’s usually better to apply only when necessary.

Rate Shopping Doesn’t Always Hurt as Much as You Think

Here’s something many people don’t realize.

If you’re shopping for:

• A mortgage
• An auto loan
• Certain student loans

Most modern credit scoring models recognize that you’re comparing lenders rather than trying to take on multiple new debts.

As a result, multiple hard inquiries made within a limited shopping window are often treated as a single inquiry for scoring purposes.

This allows consumers to compare rates without being heavily penalized.

Where Can You Check Your Credit Score for Free?

Today, checking your credit has become much easier than it used to be.

You can often view your score through:

• Your bank
• Your credit card issuer
• Free credit monitoring services
• Some personal finance apps

You can also review your credit reports from the three nationwide credit bureaus through the official federally authorized website for free. Reviewing your credit report helps you verify that the information being reported is accurate, even though your credit report and your credit score are not exactly the same thing.

Common Mistakes People Make

Avoiding Their Credit Score

Some people avoid checking because they’re afraid of seeing a low number.

Unfortunately, ignoring your credit won’t improve it.

Knowing where you stand gives you the opportunity to make informed decisions.

Applying for Too Many Credit Cards

While checking your own score is harmless, submitting multiple credit card applications in a short period can result in several hard inquiries.

Only apply when you genuinely need new credit.

Ignoring Credit Report Errors

Mistakes happen.

Incorrect balances, accounts that don’t belong to you, or payments reported inaccurately can affect your credit.

Reviewing your reports periodically gives you the chance to dispute errors if you find them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does checking my own credit score lower it?

No. Checking your own credit score creates a soft inquiry and does not affect your credit score.

How often should I check my credit score?

Checking monthly is a good habit for many people, especially if you’re actively improving your credit or planning to apply for a loan in the future.

What’s the difference between a credit score and a credit report?

A credit score is a number that summarizes your credit risk. A credit report is a detailed record of your borrowing history, payment activity, and credit accounts.

Can employers checking my credit hurt my score?

No. Employment-related credit checks, where permitted, generally use a soft inquiry.

How many points does a hard inquiry lower your score?

It varies, but many people see only a small temporary decrease, often around five points or fewer.

How long do hard inquiries affect my score?

Their influence generally lessens over time, with the biggest effect occurring during the first several months, although the inquiry may remain on your credit report for up to two years.

Can checking my credit every day hurt it?

No. You can check it as often as you’d like without lowering your score.

Should I monitor my credit if I’m not borrowing money?

Yes. Regular monitoring can help you spot fraud, identify errors, and track your financial progress.

Is checking my credit report the same as checking my credit score?

Not exactly. Your credit report contains the information used to calculate your score. Reviewing both gives you a more complete picture of your financial health.

Key Takeaways

• Checking your own credit score does not hurt your credit.
• Personal credit checks create soft inquiries, which have no impact on your score.
• Applying for new credit usually creates hard inquiries, which may temporarily lower your score.
• Monitoring your credit regularly can help you catch errors and identify potential identity theft early.
• Your payment history, credit utilization, account age, and responsible borrowing habits have a much greater impact on your credit score than simply checking it.