Tom Markham
Chief Commercial Officer at ClearScore
Does a credit inquiry affect your credit score?
27 October 2026
10 min read
Contents
Key takeawaysThe short answerDoes checking your credit score lower it?What is a hard inquiry?What is a soft credit check?Hard inquiry vs soft inquiryHow long do hard inquiries stay on your credit report?Which actions create a hard inquiry?Which actions do not lower your credit score?How to minimize the impact of hard inquiriesWhat to do if you find an unauthorized hard inquiryFrequently asked questions about credit inquiriesKey takeaways at a glanceA plain-language look at hard and soft credit checks in Canada, and how tools like ClearScore let you monitor your credit for free.
Key takeaways
Checking your own credit report and score is a soft inquiry, and it does not lower your credit score.[^2]
Applying for a credit card, personal loan, car loan or mortgage usually creates a hard inquiry, which may have a small, temporary effect on your score.[^1]
There's no fixed number of points attached to a hard inquiry. The effect depends on your credit history and the scoring model used.
Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada may keep inquiry records for different lengths of time, so the record's visibility and its effect on your score are separate things.
Payment history, balances owed and the length of your credit history generally matter more than inquiries.[^3]
ClearScore offers free access to your credit score and report, so you can monitor changes and spot unfamiliar inquiries - signing up, checking your score and report, and comparing offers don't affect your score. ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.
The short answer
A credit inquiry may affect your credit score, but it depends on the type of inquiry. Checking your own credit report and score is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score.[^2] Applying for credit usually creates a hard inquiry, which may have a small impact. One inquiry is only a small part of a much bigger picture.
Does checking your credit score lower it?
No. When you look at your own credit report or score, that's recorded as a soft credit check. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada states that checking your own credit report or credit score will not affect your credit rating.[^2]
So you can check as often as you like. Many people review their report a few times a year.
Does checking your credit score affect it?
There's an important difference between two things that can feel similar.
You viewing your own information. This is a soft inquiry. No score impact.
A lender checking your file after you apply. This is usually a hard inquiry, and it may affect your score.[^1]
The action that matters isn't looking. It's applying.
Does a credit check affect your credit score?
It depends which type of check it is. In Canada there are two kinds:
Hard inquiries (sometimes called hard hits), which usually happen when you apply for credit, though some rental and employment checks are recorded this way too.
Soft inquiries, which usually happen without a formal application for new credit, such as when you check your own report.
What is a hard inquiry?
A hard inquiry happens when a lender checks your credit report after you apply for credit. It may affect your credit score.
Common examples include a credit card, a personal loan, a line of credit, a car loan or a mortgage. Some rental applications and some employment applications are also recorded this way, according to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.[^1]
What is a hard credit check?
A hard credit check is the lender's request to see your credit file so it can assess your application. The request is logged on your credit report with the organization's name and the date, and other lenders can generally see it when they review your file.
When do hard inquiries affect your credit score?
The effect is usually small and temporary. It can vary depending on the scoring model used and on everything else in your credit history. Credit bureaus such as Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada collect and hold information about how you've managed credit, and lenders may use different scores, scoring models and criteria, so the score a lender sees can differ from the one you see on ClearScore.
A single application when you have a long, steady record may barely register. Several applications in a short period may have a greater effect, especially if your file is thin or new.[^4]
How much does a credit check affect your credit score?
There's no universal points-based answer, and no lender or bureau publishes a fixed deduction. Inquiries are one factor among several.
Inquiries reflect how recently and how often you've applied for new credit.[^5] Generally, these other factors tend to carry more weight:
Your payment history, including whether bills are paid on time.
How much of your available credit you're using.
How long your accounts have been open.
The mix of credit products you hold.
Do multiple hard inquiries count as one?
Sometimes. Most scoring models take steps to avoid penalizing you for shopping around for one car loan or one mortgage, where several lenders may check your file within a short window. Those related checks may be treated as a single shopping period.
Credit card applications are usually treated differently, because each one could become a separate new account. It's worth comparing options carefully rather than assuming every inquiry will be grouped together.
What is a soft credit check?
A soft credit check is a review of your credit information that the credit bureaus don't treat as a credit application, so it isn't factored into your score. The label depends on how the check is reported, not simply on whether you applied for new credit - some rental and employment applications are recorded as hard inquiries. It does not affect your credit score.[^3]
Does a soft credit check affect credit score?
No. A soft inquiry does not lower your score, no matter how often it happens.
Does soft credit check affect credit score when checking eligibility?
Many eligibility and pre-approval tools use a soft search, so you can see what you're likely to qualify for before you apply, though lenders also weigh income, existing borrowing and affordability. That means you can explore offers without creating a hard inquiry, though this depends on the provider's terms. It's reasonable to ask before you proceed.
Common examples of soft credit checks
Checking your own credit report and score.
A lender reviewing an account you already hold.
Identity verification by a company you deal with.
Eligibility checks for selected financial products.
Hard inquiry vs soft inquiry
Feature | Hard inquiry | Soft inquiry |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Typical reason for the check | Hard inquiry Applying for new credit | Soft inquiry Checking eligibility, monitoring, or viewing your own report |
| Feature Usually affects your score | Hard inquiry Yes, potentially | Soft inquiry No |
| Feature Visible to lenders | Hard inquiry Generally listed in the inquiries section of your credit report and visible to lenders who review your file | Soft inquiry Some soft inquiries appear only on the copy you see yourself |
| Feature Common examples | Hard inquiry Credit card, loan, mortgage or car loan application | Soft inquiry Personal credit score check or a lender's account review |
How long do hard inquiries stay on your credit report?
Retention periods can differ between Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada, so there's no single Canadian timeframe.
How long do inquiries stay on credit report records?
Two separate things are going on. One is how long the inquiry stays listed on your report. The other is how long it may actually influence your score. The listing usually lasts longer than the influence.
How long does a hard inquiry affect your credit score?
Scoring models generally give more weight to recent inquiries. As time passes and the inquiry ages, its effect typically fades, while your payment habits continue to matter.
Equifax vs TransUnion inquiry timeframes
Credit bureau | Inquiry retention period |
|---|---|
| Credit bureau Equifax Canada | Inquiry retention period Around 3 years |
| Credit bureau TransUnion Canada | Inquiry retention period Up to 6 years |
These periods are general guides. Check the inquiries section of your own report from each bureau to see what's currently recorded.
How long do soft inquiries stay on your credit report?
Visibility and retention for soft inquiries can differ by bureau, inquiry type, province and report format. Because soft inquiries don't affect your score, they're mainly useful as a record of who has looked at your file.
Which actions create a hard inquiry?
Applying for a credit card. Submitting a full application normally triggers a hard check.
Applying for a personal loan. The lender may check your report to assess affordability.
Applying for a mortgage. Hard inquiries are usual, and rate-shopping treatment may apply.
Applying for car finance. A full application may involve a hard check, while browsing personalized offers may use a soft search.
Requesting a credit limit increase. Some issuers run a hard check for this, and some don't. Ask first.
Which actions do not lower your credit score?
Checking your own credit report. Regular monitoring is safe and helps you spot errors or signs of fraud early.[^2]
Using a soft credit check to compare offers. Eligibility checks can show your likely options before you commit to a full application.
Receiving a pre-approved offer. A marketing or eligibility review isn't the same as a completed application, and acceptance still rests on the lender's own checks.
Monitoring your credit with ClearScore. ClearScore Canada gives you free access to your credit score and report, personalized guidance on areas you could improve, and alerts when your report changes. Routine monitoring is a soft check. ClearScore doesn't decide whether a lender approves you, and the information shown comes from the bureau it works with.
How to minimize the impact of hard inquiries
Eligibility checks. Soft-search tools, where available, show likely eligibility without a hard inquiry.
Several unrelated applications at once. Multiple applications in a short period can suggest rising demand for credit.[^4]
Compare lenders first. Look at rates, fees, total cost and your likely acceptance before authorizing a hard check.
Ask which type of check will be used. Confirm whether it's hard or soft, when it happens, and whether it's reported.
Review your report for unfamiliar inquiries. An inquiry you don't recognize could point to an error, identity theft or fraud.
Review the details. Note the organization's name, the date, the product type and any contact details shown.
Contact the lender. Ask them to check whether an application was submitted in your name.
Dispute inaccurate information. You can dispute information you believe is wrong, and Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada must investigate and correct errors free of charge. Keep copies of what you send.
Consider added protection. Credit report monitoring, fraud alerts and identity protection services may help if you're concerned about misuse of your information.
Frequently asked questions about credit inquiries
Does checking your credit score lower it?
No. It's a soft credit check and it does not lower your score.[^2]
Does checking your credit score affect it?
Your own checks don't affect it. Applications you make may create hard inquiries that do.
Does a credit check affect your credit score in Canada?
It depends on the type. Hard checks may have an effect, soft checks don't.[^1]
How much does a credit check affect credit score?
The impact is generally limited and varies by scoring model and by your individual credit profile.
How long do hard inquiries stay on credit reports?
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada lists lender credit inquiries as remaining on file for three years with Equifax Canada and six years with TransUnion Canada.
How long does a hard inquiry affect your credit score?
Usually for a shorter period than it stays listed, because scoring models favour recent activity.
Is ClearScore free to use?
Yes. ClearScore provides free access to your credit score and report.
Does using ClearScore create a hard inquiry?
Routine monitoring of your own information is treated as a soft check. Applying for a product you find through any comparison service may involve a hard check by that lender.
Key takeaways at a glance
Question | General answer |
|---|---|
| Question Does checking your own score hurt it? | General answer No |
| Question Does applying for credit create a hard inquiry? | General answer Usually yes |
| Question Fixed points lost per inquiry? | General answer No fixed amount |
| Question Equifax Canada retention | General answer Around 3 years |
| Question TransUnion Canada retention | General answer Up to 6 years |
| Question Factors that usually matter more | General answer Payment history, balances owed, credit history length |
Checking your credit report and score regularly is one of the simplest habits you can build, and it costs you nothing in score terms. You can see where you stand today and question anything unfamiliar. Sign up for a free ClearScore account to view your credit score and report, track changes over time, and get alerts if something looks different.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Individual financial circumstances vary, and you may wish to seek independent advice before making financial decisions. Information is accurate at the time of writing and may change.
[^1]: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, "Improve your credit score" - https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/credit-reports-score/improve-credit-score.html
[^2]: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, "Order your credit report" - https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/credit-reports-score/order-credit-report.html
[^3]: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, "Credit report and score basics" - https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/credit-reports-score/credit-report-score-basics.html
[^4]: The Globe and Mail, "How to check your credit score for free" - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/household-finances/article-check-credit-score-free/
[^5]: CBC News, "How to check your credit report" - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/how-to-check-your-credit-report-1.1185975
Tom Markham
Chief Commercial Officer at ClearScore
27 October 2026
10 min read
Contents
Key takeawaysThe short answerDoes checking your credit score lower it?What is a hard inquiry?What is a soft credit check?Hard inquiry vs soft inquiryHow long do hard inquiries stay on your credit report?Which actions create a hard inquiry?Which actions do not lower your credit score?How to minimize the impact of hard inquiriesWhat to do if you find an unauthorized hard inquiryFrequently asked questions about credit inquiriesKey takeaways at a glanceMeet the author
Chief Commercial Officer at ClearScore
Tom Markham
Tom is Chief Commercial Officer at ClearScore, with over 18 years in financial services. He leads partnerships that help millions get access to the right credit, and writes to help you understand your score and find the products that fit.
Does a credit inquiry affect your credit score?
Tom Markham
Chief Commercial Officer at ClearScore
27 October 2026
10 min read
Contents
Key takeawaysThe short answerDoes checking your credit score lower it?What is a hard inquiry?What is a soft credit check?Hard inquiry vs soft inquiryHow long do hard inquiries stay on your credit report?Which actions create a hard inquiry?Which actions do not lower your credit score?How to minimize the impact of hard inquiriesWhat to do if you find an unauthorized hard inquiryFrequently asked questions about credit inquiriesKey takeaways at a glanceA plain-language look at hard and soft credit checks in Canada, and how tools like ClearScore let you monitor your credit for free.
Key takeaways
Checking your own credit report and score is a soft inquiry, and it does not lower your credit score.[^2]
Applying for a credit card, personal loan, car loan or mortgage usually creates a hard inquiry, which may have a small, temporary effect on your score.[^1]
There's no fixed number of points attached to a hard inquiry. The effect depends on your credit history and the scoring model used.
Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada may keep inquiry records for different lengths of time, so the record's visibility and its effect on your score are separate things.
Payment history, balances owed and the length of your credit history generally matter more than inquiries.[^3]
ClearScore offers free access to your credit score and report, so you can monitor changes and spot unfamiliar inquiries - signing up, checking your score and report, and comparing offers don't affect your score. ClearScore is a credit broker, not a lender.
The short answer
A credit inquiry may affect your credit score, but it depends on the type of inquiry. Checking your own credit report and score is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score.[^2] Applying for credit usually creates a hard inquiry, which may have a small impact. One inquiry is only a small part of a much bigger picture.
Does checking your credit score lower it?
No. When you look at your own credit report or score, that's recorded as a soft credit check. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada states that checking your own credit report or credit score will not affect your credit rating.[^2]
So you can check as often as you like. Many people review their report a few times a year.
Does checking your credit score affect it?
There's an important difference between two things that can feel similar.
You viewing your own information. This is a soft inquiry. No score impact.
A lender checking your file after you apply. This is usually a hard inquiry, and it may affect your score.[^1]
The action that matters isn't looking. It's applying.
Does a credit check affect your credit score?
It depends which type of check it is. In Canada there are two kinds:
Hard inquiries (sometimes called hard hits), which usually happen when you apply for credit, though some rental and employment checks are recorded this way too.
Soft inquiries, which usually happen without a formal application for new credit, such as when you check your own report.
What is a hard inquiry?
A hard inquiry happens when a lender checks your credit report after you apply for credit. It may affect your credit score.
Common examples include a credit card, a personal loan, a line of credit, a car loan or a mortgage. Some rental applications and some employment applications are also recorded this way, according to the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.[^1]
What is a hard credit check?
A hard credit check is the lender's request to see your credit file so it can assess your application. The request is logged on your credit report with the organization's name and the date, and other lenders can generally see it when they review your file.
When do hard inquiries affect your credit score?
The effect is usually small and temporary. It can vary depending on the scoring model used and on everything else in your credit history. Credit bureaus such as Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada collect and hold information about how you've managed credit, and lenders may use different scores, scoring models and criteria, so the score a lender sees can differ from the one you see on ClearScore.
A single application when you have a long, steady record may barely register. Several applications in a short period may have a greater effect, especially if your file is thin or new.[^4]
How much does a credit check affect your credit score?
There's no universal points-based answer, and no lender or bureau publishes a fixed deduction. Inquiries are one factor among several.
Inquiries reflect how recently and how often you've applied for new credit.[^5] Generally, these other factors tend to carry more weight:
Your payment history, including whether bills are paid on time.
How much of your available credit you're using.
How long your accounts have been open.
The mix of credit products you hold.
Do multiple hard inquiries count as one?
Sometimes. Most scoring models take steps to avoid penalizing you for shopping around for one car loan or one mortgage, where several lenders may check your file within a short window. Those related checks may be treated as a single shopping period.
Credit card applications are usually treated differently, because each one could become a separate new account. It's worth comparing options carefully rather than assuming every inquiry will be grouped together.
What is a soft credit check?
A soft credit check is a review of your credit information that the credit bureaus don't treat as a credit application, so it isn't factored into your score. The label depends on how the check is reported, not simply on whether you applied for new credit - some rental and employment applications are recorded as hard inquiries. It does not affect your credit score.[^3]
Does a soft credit check affect credit score?
No. A soft inquiry does not lower your score, no matter how often it happens.
Does soft credit check affect credit score when checking eligibility?
Many eligibility and pre-approval tools use a soft search, so you can see what you're likely to qualify for before you apply, though lenders also weigh income, existing borrowing and affordability. That means you can explore offers without creating a hard inquiry, though this depends on the provider's terms. It's reasonable to ask before you proceed.
Common examples of soft credit checks
Checking your own credit report and score.
A lender reviewing an account you already hold.
Identity verification by a company you deal with.
Eligibility checks for selected financial products.
Hard inquiry vs soft inquiry
Feature | Hard inquiry | Soft inquiry |
|---|---|---|
| Feature Typical reason for the check | Hard inquiry Applying for new credit | Soft inquiry Checking eligibility, monitoring, or viewing your own report |
| Feature Usually affects your score | Hard inquiry Yes, potentially | Soft inquiry No |
| Feature Visible to lenders | Hard inquiry Generally listed in the inquiries section of your credit report and visible to lenders who review your file | Soft inquiry Some soft inquiries appear only on the copy you see yourself |
| Feature Common examples | Hard inquiry Credit card, loan, mortgage or car loan application | Soft inquiry Personal credit score check or a lender's account review |
How long do hard inquiries stay on your credit report?
Retention periods can differ between Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada, so there's no single Canadian timeframe.
How long do inquiries stay on credit report records?
Two separate things are going on. One is how long the inquiry stays listed on your report. The other is how long it may actually influence your score. The listing usually lasts longer than the influence.
How long does a hard inquiry affect your credit score?
Scoring models generally give more weight to recent inquiries. As time passes and the inquiry ages, its effect typically fades, while your payment habits continue to matter.
Equifax vs TransUnion inquiry timeframes
Credit bureau | Inquiry retention period |
|---|---|
| Credit bureau Equifax Canada | Inquiry retention period Around 3 years |
| Credit bureau TransUnion Canada | Inquiry retention period Up to 6 years |
These periods are general guides. Check the inquiries section of your own report from each bureau to see what's currently recorded.
How long do soft inquiries stay on your credit report?
Visibility and retention for soft inquiries can differ by bureau, inquiry type, province and report format. Because soft inquiries don't affect your score, they're mainly useful as a record of who has looked at your file.
Which actions create a hard inquiry?
Applying for a credit card. Submitting a full application normally triggers a hard check.
Applying for a personal loan. The lender may check your report to assess affordability.
Applying for a mortgage. Hard inquiries are usual, and rate-shopping treatment may apply.
Applying for car finance. A full application may involve a hard check, while browsing personalized offers may use a soft search.
Requesting a credit limit increase. Some issuers run a hard check for this, and some don't. Ask first.
Which actions do not lower your credit score?
Checking your own credit report. Regular monitoring is safe and helps you spot errors or signs of fraud early.[^2]
Using a soft credit check to compare offers. Eligibility checks can show your likely options before you commit to a full application.
Receiving a pre-approved offer. A marketing or eligibility review isn't the same as a completed application, and acceptance still rests on the lender's own checks.
Monitoring your credit with ClearScore. ClearScore Canada gives you free access to your credit score and report, personalized guidance on areas you could improve, and alerts when your report changes. Routine monitoring is a soft check. ClearScore doesn't decide whether a lender approves you, and the information shown comes from the bureau it works with.
How to minimize the impact of hard inquiries
Eligibility checks. Soft-search tools, where available, show likely eligibility without a hard inquiry.
Several unrelated applications at once. Multiple applications in a short period can suggest rising demand for credit.[^4]
Compare lenders first. Look at rates, fees, total cost and your likely acceptance before authorizing a hard check.
Ask which type of check will be used. Confirm whether it's hard or soft, when it happens, and whether it's reported.
Review your report for unfamiliar inquiries. An inquiry you don't recognize could point to an error, identity theft or fraud.
Review the details. Note the organization's name, the date, the product type and any contact details shown.
Contact the lender. Ask them to check whether an application was submitted in your name.
Dispute inaccurate information. You can dispute information you believe is wrong, and Equifax Canada and TransUnion Canada must investigate and correct errors free of charge. Keep copies of what you send.
Consider added protection. Credit report monitoring, fraud alerts and identity protection services may help if you're concerned about misuse of your information.
Frequently asked questions about credit inquiries
Does checking your credit score lower it?
No. It's a soft credit check and it does not lower your score.[^2]
Does checking your credit score affect it?
Your own checks don't affect it. Applications you make may create hard inquiries that do.
Does a credit check affect your credit score in Canada?
It depends on the type. Hard checks may have an effect, soft checks don't.[^1]
How much does a credit check affect credit score?
The impact is generally limited and varies by scoring model and by your individual credit profile.
How long do hard inquiries stay on credit reports?
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada lists lender credit inquiries as remaining on file for three years with Equifax Canada and six years with TransUnion Canada.
How long does a hard inquiry affect your credit score?
Usually for a shorter period than it stays listed, because scoring models favour recent activity.
Is ClearScore free to use?
Yes. ClearScore provides free access to your credit score and report.
Does using ClearScore create a hard inquiry?
Routine monitoring of your own information is treated as a soft check. Applying for a product you find through any comparison service may involve a hard check by that lender.
Key takeaways at a glance
Question | General answer |
|---|---|
| Question Does checking your own score hurt it? | General answer No |
| Question Does applying for credit create a hard inquiry? | General answer Usually yes |
| Question Fixed points lost per inquiry? | General answer No fixed amount |
| Question Equifax Canada retention | General answer Around 3 years |
| Question TransUnion Canada retention | General answer Up to 6 years |
| Question Factors that usually matter more | General answer Payment history, balances owed, credit history length |
Checking your credit report and score regularly is one of the simplest habits you can build, and it costs you nothing in score terms. You can see where you stand today and question anything unfamiliar. Sign up for a free ClearScore account to view your credit score and report, track changes over time, and get alerts if something looks different.
This article provides general information only and does not constitute financial advice. Individual financial circumstances vary, and you may wish to seek independent advice before making financial decisions. Information is accurate at the time of writing and may change.
[^1]: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, "Improve your credit score" - https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/credit-reports-score/improve-credit-score.html
[^2]: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, "Order your credit report" - https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/credit-reports-score/order-credit-report.html
[^3]: Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, "Credit report and score basics" - https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/credit-reports-score/credit-report-score-basics.html
[^4]: The Globe and Mail, "How to check your credit score for free" - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/investing/personal-finance/household-finances/article-check-credit-score-free/
[^5]: CBC News, "How to check your credit report" - https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/how-to-check-your-credit-report-1.1185975
Tom Markham
Chief Commercial Officer at ClearScore
27 October 2026
10 min read
Contents
Key takeawaysThe short answerDoes checking your credit score lower it?What is a hard inquiry?What is a soft credit check?Hard inquiry vs soft inquiryHow long do hard inquiries stay on your credit report?Which actions create a hard inquiry?Which actions do not lower your credit score?How to minimize the impact of hard inquiriesWhat to do if you find an unauthorized hard inquiryFrequently asked questions about credit inquiriesKey takeaways at a glanceMeet the author
Chief Commercial Officer at ClearScore
Tom Markham
Tom is Chief Commercial Officer at ClearScore, with over 18 years in financial services. He leads partnerships that help millions get access to the right credit, and writes to help you understand your score and find the products that fit.