Soft vs. Hard Credit Checks: What's the Difference?
A soft credit check doesn't affect your credit score. A hard check can lower it slightly for a while. Here's when each one happens and what it means when you look for a personal loan.
Guide · 2 min read · Reviewed: October 27, 2026
In short
- Soft checks don't affect your credit score.
- Hard checks can cause a small, temporary dip.
- Hard checks generally happen only when you apply.
- Checking your own credit is always a soft check.
What is a soft credit check?
A soft credit check, or soft inquiry, is a look at your credit that isn't tied to an application for new credit. Soft checks don't affect your credit score, and other lenders can't see them.
Common examples include checking your own credit, prequalification offers, and reviews by companies you already have an account with.
What is a hard credit check?
A hard credit check, or hard inquiry, happens when you apply for credit and a lender reviews your report to make a decision. It generally happens only after you apply or give permission.
A hard inquiry can lower your score by a small amount for a while. It can stay on your credit report for up to two years, though its effect on your score usually fades well before then.
Soft vs. hard checks at a glance
| Soft check | Hard check | |
|---|---|---|
| When it happens | Checking your own credit, prequalification, some account reviews | When you apply for new credit and a lender reviews your report to decide |
| Affects your score? | No | It can, usually by a small amount for a limited time |
| Who can see it | Only you, on your own report | You and lenders who check your report |
| Your permission | Not always required | Generally happens after you apply or authorize it |
Credit checks when you look for a personal loan
Many lenders let you see whether you prequalify, and sometimes your possible rate, with a soft check. A hard check usually happens if you choose an offer and continue with a full application.
How credit checks work when you submit a request through Tilt App: Checking your rate through TiltApp does not affect your credit score. If you accept an offer, the lender will typically run a hard credit inquiry before funding, which may affect your score
Before you continue with any lender, ask whether the next step involves a hard credit check.
How to limit the impact of hard checks
- Apply only for credit you actually need.
- Compare prequalified offers first, then apply for the one you want.
- Avoid several applications spread over months. Scoring models treat rate shopping differently, and not every model groups personal loan inquiries together.
- Make on-time payments on your existing accounts, which matters far more to your score than a single inquiry.
Check your own credit
Checking your own credit is always a soft check. You can get free credit reports from the three nationwide credit bureaus at AnnualCreditReport.com. If you find an error, you can dispute it with the bureau that reported it.
Common questions
More answers in the help center.
Does checking my own credit hurt my score?
No. Checking your own credit is a soft inquiry and doesn't affect your score.
How long does a hard inquiry stay on my credit report?
Up to two years, although its effect on your score usually fades sooner.
Will requesting options through Tilt App affect my credit?
Checking your rate through TiltApp does not affect your credit score. If you accept an offer, the lender will typically run a hard credit inquiry before funding, which may affect your score If you continue with a lender, that lender may run its own hard check.