How long should I wait for another hard inquiry?

Asked by: Dr. Camron Willms  |  Last update: May 9, 2026
Score: 4.6/5 (51 votes)

Generally, it's a good idea to wait about six months between credit card applications. Since applying for a new credit card will result in a slight reduction to your credit score, multiple inquiries could lead to a significantly decrease.

How long should you wait between hard inquiries?

You should wait around 90 days before hard inquiries. To play it extra safe, you can wait 6-12 months.

How far apart should hard inquiries be?

The good news is that these inquiries may be treated as a single hard inquiry as long as they're all made within a short time span, usually 14 to 45 days depending on the credit scoring model. Both FICO and VantageScore models allow for this type of comparison shopping.

Is it bad to have 2 hard inquiries within 30 days?

Yes, and it's not something to be worried about. Two credit checks is not unusual, and hard inquiries make up the smallest of the factors that contribute to your credit scoring. It will probably decrease your score a little bit, but as the inquiries start to age the impact will lessen and score will creep back up.

Will 3 inquiries hurt my credit score?

3 hard inquiries is fine, your credit score may take a small hit temporarily, but it will recover and the inquiries will clear off in ~6 months.

How long Hard Inquiry Stays on YOUR Credit Report (& how long a Hard Pull affects YOUR credit score)

41 related questions found

Is 7 hard inquiries bad?

Since hard inquiries affect your credit score and what is found may even affect approval, you might be wondering: How many inquiries is too many? The answer differs from lender to lender, but most consider six total inquiries on a report at one time to be too many to gain approval for an additional credit card or loan.

What is the secret way to remove hard inquiries?

You cannot remove legitimate hard inquiries from your credit report. Fortunately, hard inquiries have a minimal impact on your credit, and they fall off your credit report after two years. If your credit report contains a hard inquiry that you don't recognize, you have the right to dispute it.

How much does credit score go up after hard inquiry drops off?

In most cases, hard inquiries have very little if any impact on your credit scores—and they have no effect after one year from the date the inquiry was made. So when a hard inquiry is removed from your credit reports, your scores may not improve much—or see any movement at all.

How many points is a hard inquiry?

A hard credit inquiry could lower your credit score by as much as 10 points, though in many cases, the damage probably won't be that significant. As FICO explains, “For most people, one additional credit inquiry will take less than five points off their FICO Scores.”

Is credit karma accurate?

Overall, Credit Karma may produce a different result than one or more of the three major credit bureaus directly. The slight differences in calculations between FICO and VantageScore can lead to significant variances in credit scores, making Credit Karma less accurate than most may appreciate.

What is an excellent 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.

What habit lowers your credit score?

Late or missed payments can cause your credit score to decline. The impact can vary depending on your credit score — the higher your score, the more likely you are to see a steep drop.

What is the hard inquiry rule?

Hard inquiries serve as a timeline of when you have applied for new credit and may stay on your credit report for two years, although they typically only affect your credit scores for one year.

What is the 5 24 rule?

What is the 5/24 rule? Many card issuers have criteria for who can qualify for new accounts, but Chase is perhaps the most strict. Chase's 5/24 rule means that you can't be approved for most Chase cards if you've opened five or more personal credit cards (from any card issuer) within the past 24 months.

What is the Capital One 6 month rule?

Capital One also has a hard-and-fast rule when timing your applications. You're only able to get approved for one card every six months. This lumps personal and small-business cards together.

What is the range for bad credit?

What is a bad credit score? Well, there are several credit score ranges. For instance, 780–850 may be considered "excellent" while 720–780 may be seen as "good." But when it comes to a range that may be seen as bad, a score between 300 (the lowest) and 600 fits into the “poor” category.

How many hard inquiries is OK?

There's no strict amount of hard inquiries that's too few or too many, especially considering the credit scoring models' rules for rate shopping. For example, if you're buying a new car, you might apply for auto loans from your bank and with online lenders.

How can I raise my credit score 50 points fast?

4 tips to boost your credit score fast
  1. Pay down your revolving credit balances. If you have the funds to pay more than your minimum payment each month, you should do so. ...
  2. Increase your credit limit. ...
  3. Check your credit report for errors. ...
  4. Ask to have negative entries that are paid off removed from your credit report.

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.

How to remove hard inquiries fast?

How Do You Dispute (and Remove) Unauthorized Inquiries?
  1. Obtain free copies of your credit report. ...
  2. Flag any inaccurate hard inquiries. ...
  3. Contact the original lender. ...
  4. Start an official dispute. ...
  5. Include all essential information. ...
  6. Submit your dispute. ...
  7. Wait for a verdict.

Why did my credit score drop 20 points after a hard inquiry?

If you apply for too much credit in a short period of time, it can negatively impact your scores and affect the likelihood that lenders will approve you for new credit. Depending on how many inquiries you already have, a new hard inquiry could cause your score to drop, but potentially only for a short period of time.

How bad is a hard credit pull?

A single hard inquiry will usually take fewer than five points off your FICO® Score , with this score impact remaining for up to a year.

Is it illegal to remove hard inquiries?

A hard inquiry happens when a company checks your credit report because you have applied for credit. You can dispute hard inquiries you didn't authorize, but you cannot remove legitimate credit checks. Unauthorized hard inquiries can be a warning sign of identity theft.

What is a goodwill deletion?

A goodwill letter is a formal request to a creditor asking them to remove a negative mark, like a late payment, from your credit report. Goodwill letters are most effective when the late payment was an isolated incident caused by unforeseen circumstances, such as a financial hardship or medical emergency.

How do I increase my credit score in 30 days?

Improving your credit in 30 days is possible. Ways to do so include paying off credit card debt, becoming an authorized user, paying your bills on time and disputing inaccurate credit report information.