A soft credit check, also called a soft pull or soft inquiry, is a review of your credit report that does not impact your credit score. Soft pulls are often conducted for everyday purposes like pre-employment screening, obtaining insurance quotes, issuance by lenders of preapproved loan offers, etc. The soft pulls are often tied to information-gathering rather than a borrowing decision. Below is information on how soft pulls compare to hard pulls, any impact of a soft pull on a credit report, and how soft pulls could work in your favor.
Soft Pulls vs. Hard Pulls
Soft pulls and hard pulls are both credit inquiries, but they differ in how they happen and how they may affect your credit score. Hard pulls typically occur, for example, when you formally apply for credit for a mortgage, an auto loan, or a credit card, and they may temporarily lower your credit score by a few points. Soft pulls, by contrast, can generally be conducted without you formally applying for credit. Soft pulls typically leave your credit score untouched.
The table below describes some of the primary differences.
Feature | Soft Pull | Hard Pull |
Affects credit score1 | No | Yes (typically a few points) |
Common uses2 | Self-checks, prequalification, employment screening | Loan applications, credit card applications, mortgage approval |
Visible to other lenders | Generally, no | Yes |
Score impact window3 | None | Typically up to 12 months |
Requires your permission4 | Sometimes (varies) | Yes, required |
1 myFICO - How Soft vs Hard Pull Credit
2 CFPB – What is a credit inquiry?
3myFICO - The Timing of Hard Credit Inquiries
4 Experian - Can Someone Check My Credit Without Permission?
Prequalification for a loan or credit using a soft pull may not lower your credit score, but a final credit approval almost always requires a hard pull that may impact your score. For every engagement, it is helpful to confirm the type of credit pull the entity seeks to conduct. For example, you may think a lender will only perform a soft pull and that may not be the case.
How Soft Pulls Affect Your Credit Score
Soft pulls typically do not affect your credit score because they are not tied to a new credit application. According to Experian, major scoring models like FICO and VantageScore generally ignore soft inquiries when calculating your score, even when many appear on your report.
Benefits of Soft Pulls
Soft pulls let you or authorized parties review your credit information without affecting your credit score. For example, you might see soft pulls when you check your own credit report, review prequalification offers, or compare loan terms before formally applying. This gives you a way to gather information and shop around, while limiting the impact on your score.
A Note About Credit Reports
Credit reporting practices and scoring models can vary between the three major credit bureaus — i.e. Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — and individual circumstances. The information above is meant to give you a general idea of how soft credit checks typically work. You can learn more about credit reports, including how to avoid credit report scams, by visiting FTC (Consumer Advice). For questions about your credit report or a particular inquiry, consider reaching out to the credit bureau directly or a credit counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get a free soft pull credit report?
One option for checking your own credit might be AnnualCreditReport.com, the only site authorized by federal law for free credit reports from the three major credit bureaus. If you are considering a loan refinance, for example, you could pull your report ahead of time to spot any errors and get a clearer sense of where you stand before talking to lenders.
What information is included in a soft pull credit report?
A soft pull typically shows the same kinds of information that appear on your credit report, such as open and closed credit accounts, payment history, public records (bankruptcies), and a list of credit inquiries already on file. Soft credit inquiry logs are usually only visible to the person named on the credit report and are not shared with others.
What are the uses of a soft pull credit inquiry?
Common examples include checking your own credit report, prequalifying for a loan or credit card, employer background screening, insurance quotes, and account reviews by your current lenders.
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