How long should you wait between hard inquiries?

Asked by: Amy Reinger  |  Last update: February 23, 2026
Score: 4.2/5 (55 votes)

Lenders typically perform a hard inquiry on your credit if you're applying for a mortgage, auto loan, credit card or student loan. Space out your credit applications — about every six months — to avoid major damage to your score.

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.

How long should I wait for another hard inquiry?

Credit Score Impact: Each time you apply for a credit card, a hard inquiry is made on your credit report, which can temporarily lower your credit score. It's generally recommended to wait at least 6 months after your first card before applying for another to minimize the impact on your score.

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.

How often can I do a hard inquiry?

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.

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

45 related questions found

Is 3 hard inquiries in a year bad?

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.

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 bad is 7 hard inquiries?

However, multiple hard inquiries can deplete your score by as much as 10 points each time they happen. People with six or more recent hard inquiries are eight times as likely to file for bankruptcy than those with none. That's way more inquiries than most of us need to find a good deal on a car loan or credit card.

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.

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.

How accurate is credit karma?

But, just how accurate are Credit Karma scores? They may differ by 20 to 25 points, and in some cases even more. When Credit Karma users see their credit score details, they are viewing a VantageScore, not the FICO score that the majority of lenders use.

Will my credit score go up after a hard inquiry?

Hard inquiries can affect your credit score negatively, though the impact is usually negligible and temporary.

What is a good credit score range?

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.

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.”

How long do you have to wait between inquiries?

Rossman generally recommends that people wait six months to apply for a new line of credit as a hard inquiry usually results in a five to 10 point reduction for an individual's FICO credit score.

Does checking the FICO score lower it?

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

Does removing hard inquiries increase credit score?

Removing unauthorized hard inquiries may improve your score, though the number of points you gain will vary depending on your credit history.

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 many inquiries are too many?

Too many credit inquiries on your credit report can make you appear riskier to lenders. Try to keep the number of hard credit inquiries under six. New credit inquiries only account for 10% of your credit score.

How many credit cards are too many?

Owning more than two or three credit cards can become unmanageable for many people. However, your credit needs and financial situation are unique, so there's no hard and fast rule about how many credit cards are too many. The important thing is to make sure that you use your credit cards responsibly.

Does credit karma hurt your credit?

Credit Karma allows you to check your credit report and score for free, without affecting your score. The service doesn't hurt your credit score because it counts as a self-initiated inquiry, which is a soft credit inquiry.

Can I do multiple hard inquiries count as one?

That means the hard inquiries from different types of loans can count as one inquiry for scoring purposes, as long as they're made in the same 14-day window.

Is a 900 credit score possible?

What is the highest credit score possible? To start off: No, it's not possible to have a 900 credit score in the United States. In some countries that use other models, like Canada, people could have a score of 900. The current scoring models in the U.S. have a maximum of 850.

Can I buy a house with a 704 credit score?

The minimum credit score needed to buy a house can range from 500 to 700, but will ultimately depend on the type of mortgage loan you're applying for and your lender. While it's possible to get a mortgage with bad credit, you typically need good or exceptional credit to qualify for the best terms.

Can I get 50000 with 700 credit score?

A 700 credit score can help you in securing a Rs 50,000 Personal Loan with many benefits, such as: Lower interest rates. Higher loan amounts. Faster approval process.