Quick answer
Hard inquiries stay on your credit report for two years, but FICO scores only count inquiries from the last 12 months, according to myFICO. A single inquiry usually has a small effect. Soft inquiries, like checking your own credit or prequalifying, do not affect your score at all.
When you apply for credit, the lender usually pulls your report, and that pull is recorded as a hard inquiry. It sounds alarming, but the effect is usually modest and temporary.
The short answer
- On your report: two years.
- In your FICO score: only inquiries from the last 12 months are considered.
- Impact: usually small, according to myFICO.
Hard vs soft inquiries
The CFPB explains the difference:
| Hard inquiry | Soft inquiry | |
|---|---|---|
| Common causes | Applying for a loan or card | Checking your own report, prequalification, existing-account reviews, prescreened offers |
| Affects your score? | Yes, usually a little | No |
| Who sees it? | Anyone who pulls your report | Only you |
More detail in soft vs hard credit checks.
Rate shopping
myFICO says FICO scores allow for rate shopping on certain types of loans: several inquiries for the same type of loan within a short period can be counted as one. To be safe, do your comparison shopping in a short window and prequalify with soft inquiries first.
When inquiries matter more
New credit is about 10% of a FICO score. Inquiries tend to matter more if you have a thin file or open several new accounts at once. Many applications in a short time can look like financial stress to lenders.
How to limit inquiries
- Prequalify before you apply.
- Apply only to lenders likely to approve you.
- Space out applications for different types of credit.
- Dispute any inquiry you do not recognize.
If you need to borrow while you work on your credit, use the form on this page to see whether partner lenders may have an offer, or call (800) 236-7761. Compare offers by APR and total cost.
Examples are illustrations, not offers. Approval, APR and terms depend on the lender, your state and your credit profile.
Frequently asked questions about how long do hard inquiries stay on your credit report?
How many points does a hard inquiry take off?
It varies by person and scoring model. myFICO says inquiries usually have a small impact. The effect is often larger when you have few accounts or a short history.
Can I remove a hard inquiry?
Accurate inquiries generally stay for two years. If an inquiry is from an application you never made, dispute it with the credit reporting company, since it may be a sign of identity theft.
Does prequalifying for a loan cause a hard inquiry?
Prequalification usually uses a soft inquiry, which does not affect your score. A full application usually means a hard inquiry.
Does rate shopping hurt my credit?
myFICO says FICO scores allow for rate shopping for certain loan types, treating multiple inquiries in a short period as one. Keep loan shopping within a short window.
Sources
- myFICO: How new credit impacts your FICO Score (accessed 2026-10-09)
- CFPB: What is a credit inquiry? (accessed 2026-10-09)
- CFPB: How do I dispute an error on my credit report? (accessed 2026-10-09)
Last updated 2026-10-09. How we research and update pages.