How many points does opening a credit card drop your score?

Asked by: Jed Hoeger  |  Last update: February 10, 2026
Score: 4.3/5 (44 votes)

While the exact impact may vary from case to case, generally speaking, you can expect your score to drop by about five points each time you apply for a new credit card.

How many points will my credit score drop if I apply for a credit card?

FICO explains that a single hard credit inquiry often lowers your credit score by less than 5 points. However, several hard inquiries in a short period may do more damage. Applying for multiple credit cards at once can show financial instability, making you seem like a risky borrower.

Why did my credit score drop 50 points after getting a new credit card?

If your credit was pulled for the new card, that hurts your credit in the short term - it's called a hard credit inquiry. The new balance on the credit card is increasing your utilization which hurts you credit (but only until you pay it off).

How much will my score drop if I close a credit card?

A credit card can be canceled without harming your credit score⁠. To avoid damage to your credit score, paying down credit card balances first (not just the one you're canceling) is key. Closing a charge card won't affect your credit history (history is a factor in your overall credit score).

Why did my credit score drop 100 points when I opened a credit card?

Card issuers pull your credit report when you apply for a new credit card because they want to see how much of a risk you pose before lending you a line of credit. This credit check is called a hard inquiry, or "hard pull," and temporarily lowers your credit score a few points.

Does Opening a New Credit Card Hurt Your Credit Score?

36 related questions found

How to increase credit score by 100 points in 30 days?

For most people, increasing a credit score by 100 points in a month isn't going to happen. But if you pay your bills on time, eliminate your consumer debt, don't run large balances on your cards and maintain a mix of both consumer and secured borrowing, an increase in your credit could happen within months.

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 much does your credit score drop if you open a new card?

Opening a new credit card will generally only decrease your credit scores by a few points, according to FICO. How long does it take for your credit score to go back up after opening a new credit card? Applying for a credit card triggers a hard inquiry, which stays on your credit report for two years.

Is it better to cancel unused credit cards or keep them?

In general, keep unused credit cards open so you benefit from longer average credit history and lower credit utilization. Consider putting one small regular purchase on the card and paying it off automatically to keep the card active. At Experian, one of our priorities is consumer credit and finance education.

What is a good credit score?

There are some differences around how the various data elements on a credit report factor into the score calculations. Although credit scoring models vary, generally, credit scores from 660 to 724 are considered good; 725 to 759 are considered very good; and 760 and up are considered excellent.

How many points does opening a credit card hurt your credit?

Rossman notes that when people open a new credit card, doing so essentially lowers the average age of their credit accounts. "I would say for most people, the total impact is probably not going to be more than 10 to 20 points and probably shouldn't linger more than like three to six months," says Rossman.

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.

Why is my credit score going down if I pay everything on time?

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.

Does opening a new credit card hurt your credit?

Applying for a new credit card may lead to a small, temporary dip in your credit score because it typically generates a hard inquiry on your credit report. For that reason, it may be best to avoid a new card if you're planning to apply for an important loan soon, such as a mortgage or car loan.

Is Discover It a hard card to get?

To qualify for the Discover it Miles, you'll need a good or excellent credit score. Like the Discover it Cash Back, this means you'll want a credit score of 670 or above.

How many points do you lose for a hard pull?

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 it good to have a zero balance on credit cards?

Generally, a zero balance can help your credit score if you're consistently using your credit card and paying off the statement balance, at least, in full every month. Lenders see somebody who is using their credit cards responsibly, which means actually charging things to it and then paying for those purchases.

Is it OK to keep a credit card and not use it?

The other risk of leaving a card inactive is the issuer might decide to close the account. If you haven't used a card for a long period, it generally will not hurt your credit score. However, if a lender notices your inactivity and decides to close the account, it can cause your score to slip.

Is 3 credit cards too many?

It's generally recommended that you have two to three credit card accounts at a time, in addition to other types of credit. Remember that your total available credit and your debt to credit ratio can impact your credit scores. If you have more than three credit cards, it may be hard to keep track of monthly payments.

Why did my credit score drop so much after opening a credit card?

That's because a new credit application generally creates a hard credit inquiry, which can cause your credit scores to drop by a few points. Multiple credit applications in a short period of time could also indicate that your financial situation has changed negatively—and they might cause your credit scores to drop.

Does cancelling a card hurt credit?

Closing a credit card can hurt your credit, especially if it's a card you've had for years. An account closure can cause a temporary hit to your credit by increasing your credit utilization, lowering your average age of accounts and possibly limiting your credit mix.

Does having 5 credit cards hurt your credit score?

Having many open credit cards doesn't hurt your credit score, but opening many new cards may ding your credit slightly by reducing the average age of your accounts.

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.