Hard Inquiry (Hard Pull)
A hard inquiry (also called a hard pull or hard credit check) occurs when a lender or financial institution accesses your full credit report to evaluate you for a new credit application — such as a credit card, personal loan, mortgage, or car financing. Unlike a soft inquiry, a hard pull is recorded on your credit report and is visible to other lenders who check your file. Hard inquiries also temporarily reduce your credit score.
The score impact is generally modest — most people see a drop of 5–10 points per inquiry — and the effect fades significantly after 12 months. However, multiple hard inquiries in a short window can have a compounding negative effect and may signal to lenders that you are seeking a lot of credit simultaneously.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Score impact | Typically 5 – 10 points per inquiry |
| Duration on Equifax file | 3 years |
| Duration on TransUnion file | Up to 6 years |
| Visible to other lenders | Yes |
| Impact on score | Diminishes significantly after 12 months |
| Multiple applications | Cumulative negative effect — avoid applying for several cards at once |
| When triggered | When you submit a new credit application |
Canadian Context
In Canada, hard inquiries from mortgage lenders made within a short window (typically 14–45 days) for the same type of loan are often treated as a single inquiry by the credit bureaus — this is the “rate shopping” exception. However, this does not apply to credit card applications. Each credit card application is a separate hard inquiry. Equifax retains hard inquiry records for 3 years, while TransUnion may retain them for up to 6 years. Strategically spacing out credit card applications — allowing 3–6 months between applications — is a common tactic among credit card enthusiasts in Canada to minimize cumulative score impact. Check your report periodically for unauthorized inquiries, which can be a sign of identity theft.
Related Glossary Terms
Information on this page is provided for general educational purposes. Inquiry handling policies vary between bureaus and scoring models — check your credit report directly for accurate information.