Does checking the FICO score lower it?

Asked by: Naomi Kreiger  |  Last update: May 13, 2025
Score: 4.9/5 (23 votes)

Good news: Credit scores aren't impacted by checking your own credit reports or credit scores. In fact, regularly checking your credit reports and credit scores is an important way to ensure your personal and account information is correct, and may help detect signs of potential identity theft.

Does viewing my FICO score lower it?

No, checking your own credit score does not lower it.

Does your FICO score go down when you check it?

Checking your own credit score is considered a soft inquiry and won't affect your credit scores. There are other types of soft inquiries that also don't affect your credit scores, and several types of hard inquiries that might.

Is it okay to check your FICO score?

All ways of checking your own score are safe. It's a credit myth that some sources of checking your own score hurt your score and others don't. What you want to make sure however is that the scores you are checking are meaningful, as we all have some 40+ different scores all with different levels of relevance.

How do I check my FICO score without lowering it?

You can check your credit score for free in several different ways without hurting it. The most common methods are through an annual free report, online credit monitoring services, and your credit card provider.

How to Get A PERFECT Credit Score For $0

27 related questions found

Will checking your own FICO score temporarily reduce your score?

Checking your credit score will not have an effect on it. Requesting a copy of your credit report or checking your credit score is often called a “soft inquiry”. Potential lenders cannot see soft inquiries when they view your credit report. But, you may still see them on your report for 12 to 24 months.

Is 650 a good credit score?

A FICO® Score of 650 places you within a population of consumers whose credit may be seen as Fair. Your 650 FICO® Score is lower than the average U.S. credit score. Statistically speaking, 28% of consumers with credit scores in the Fair range are likely to become seriously delinquent in the future.

What is more important, FICO or credit score?

"For years, there has been a lot of confusion among consumers over which credit scores matter. While there are many types of credit scores, FICO Scores matter the most because the majority of lenders use these scores to decide whether to approve loan applicants and at what interest rates."

Does my credit score go down if I check it on Experian?

No, your credit score won't go down if you check it. Checking your own credit is considered a soft inquiry, which doesn't impact your credit scores.

Is 700 a good credit score?

A 700 credit score is considered a good score on the most common credit score range, which runs from 300 to 850. How does your score compare with others? You're within the good credit score range, which runs from 690 to 719.

Does checking your FICO score negatively impact it?

Checking your credit reports or credit scores will not impact credit scores. Regularly checking your credit reports and credit scores is a good way to ensure information is accurate. Hard inquiries in response to a credit application do impact credit scores.

Why did my credit score drop 40 points after paying off debt?

It's possible that you could see your credit scores drop after fulfilling your payment obligations on a loan or credit card debt. Paying off debt might lower your credit scores if removing the debt affects certain factors like your credit mix, the length of your credit history or your credit utilization ratio.

What lowers your FICO score?

Several factors can hurt your credit score, including if you make several late payments or open to many credit card accounts at once. You can ruin your credit score if you file for bankruptcy or have a debt settlement. Most negative information will remain on your credit report for 7 to 10 years.

Is 750 a good credit score?

Is 750 a good credit score? A 750 credit score is considered excellent and above the average score in America. Your credit score helps lenders decide if you qualify for products like credit cards and loans, and your interest rate. A score of 750 puts you in a strong position.

What can hurt my FICO score?

5 Things That May Hurt Your Credit Scores
  • Making a late payment.
  • Having a high debt to credit utilization ratio.
  • Applying for a lot of credit at once.
  • Closing a credit card account.
  • Stopping your credit-related activities for an extended period.

Is your FICO Score your actual score?

FICO scores are based on the information in your credit reports. The accuracy of your score will depend on factors such as which FICO Score model is being used; the credit bureau your report is pulled from; and whether your credit reports have up-to-date information.

Why did my FICO score go down when nothing changed?

Using more of your credit card balance than usual — even if you pay on time — can reduce your score until a new, lower balance is reported the following month. Closed accounts and lower credit limits can also result in lower scores even if your payment behavior has not changed.

Is 730 a good credit score?

For a score with a range of 300 to 850, a credit score of 670 to 739 is considered good. Credit scores of 740 and above are very good while 800 and higher are excellent. For credit scores that range from 300 to 850, a credit score in the mid to high 600s or above is generally considered good.

Is it true if you check your credit score it goes down?

Hard inquiries, which occur when you apply for new credit, can affect your credit score. Checking your own credit score or credit report doesn't affect your credit score, because it's not a hard inquiry. It's important to check your credit score regularly to make sure the information is accurate.

Why is my FICO score 100 points lower than credit karma?

This is because Credit Karma makes use of another credit scoring model compared to many lenders and possibly does not have access to all the data required to calculate your credit score.

Should I check my FICO score?

Because lenders choose which bureau they pull from, it's important for you to periodically check your credit report and FICO® Scores based on data from all three credit bureaus to ensure the information reported on you is accurate, up to date and that the FICO® Scores based on each credit bureau's data are reflective ...

Which FICO score is usually the highest?

And when it comes to credit, 850 is the highest the FICO® Score scale goes. For more and more U.S. consumers, practice is making perfect. According to recent Experian data, 1.54% of consumers have a "perfect" FICO® Score of 850. That's up from 1.31% two years earlier.

How rare is an 800 credit score?

Even better, just over 1 in 5 people (21.2%) have an exceptional FICO credit score of 800 or above, all but guaranteeing access to the best products and interest rates.

How to get 900 credit score?

While older models of credit scores used to go as high as 900, you can no longer achieve a 900 credit score. The highest score you can receive today is 850. Anything above 800 is considered an excellent credit score.

What is the easiest credit card to get instant approval?

Best Instant Approval Credit Cards:
  • Blue Cash Everyday® Card from American Express: Best for welcome offer with no annual fee.
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  • Discover it® Secured Credit Card: Best for building credit with no annual fee.