March 14, 2026
Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower It?
Nearly 40% of Americans avoid checking their credit score because they believe it will hurt their number. If that sounds like you, here's some good news: checking your own credit score does not lower it.
This is one of the most common credit myths out there. Understanding the difference between soft and hard inquiries can help you take control of your financial health without fear.
What Happens When You Check Your Credit Score
When you check your own credit score through a banking app, a free monitoring tool, or a service like Firstcard, it triggers what's called a soft inquiry, also known as a soft pull. Soft inquiries are recorded on your credit report, but they have minimal impact on your score.
You can check your score as often as you want, daily, weekly, monthly, and it won't cost you a single point.
Soft Inquiry vs. Hard Inquiry: What's the Difference
This is where the confusion comes from. There are two types of credit checks, and only one affects your score.
Soft inquiries happen when:
- You check your own credit score
- A lender pre-approves you for an offer
- An employer runs a background check
- A credit monitoring service updates your score
Hard inquiries happen when:
- You apply for a credit card
- You apply for a mortgage, auto loan, or personal loan
- You request a credit limit increase (with some issuers)
A single hard inquiry typically drops your score by 2 to 5 points. The effect usually fades within a few months, and the inquiry falls off your report after two years.
Why You Should Check Your Credit Score Regularly
Monitoring your credit score is one of the smartest financial habits you can build. Here's why:
Catch errors early. About 1 in 5 credit reports contain mistakes, according to the FTC. Checking regularly helps you spot inaccurate late payments, wrong account balances, or accounts you don't recognize.
Track your progress. If you're building credit, seeing your score rise over time keeps you motivated. Small wins add up.
Detect fraud fast. Identity theft can tank your score before you even realize what happened. Regular monitoring gives you a head start on disputing fraudulent accounts.
Dovly
Boost Your Credit Score by 34+ Points - Free. Fix errors, build credit, and protect your score using Dovly AI's smart credit engine.
Monthly Price
$0 (Free plan available)
Setup Fee
$0
Money Back Guarantee
No
Year of Founded
2018
Creditship
Get free credit monitoring and concrete advice how to improve your credit from Creditship AI.
Monthly Price
Free
Setup Fee
$0
How Often Should You Check Your Credit Score
There's no such thing as checking too often. Most financial experts recommend reviewing your score at least once a month. If you're actively working to improve your credit or you've recently applied for new accounts, weekly checks can be helpful.
You're entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three major bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, through AnnualCreditReport.com. Many banks, credit unions, and apps like Firstcard also offer free ongoing score access.
What Actually Hurts Your Credit Score
Since checking your own score is safe, here's what causes your score to drop:
- Late payments. Payment history makes up 35% of your FICO score. Even one late payment can cause a significant dip.
- High credit utilization. Using more than 30% of your available credit signals risk to lenders. Keeping your credit utilization below 30% is a good rule of thumb.
- Too many hard inquiries. Applying for several credit accounts in a short period looks risky to lenders.
- Closing old accounts. This can shorten your credit history and reduce your total available credit.
- Collections and charge-offs. Unpaid debts that go to collections can stay on your report for up to seven years.
How to Check Your Credit Score for Free
You don't need to pay for credit monitoring. Here are free options:
- Firstcard — Get your credit score and personalized tips to improve it.
- AnnualCreditReport.com — Free reports from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion.
- Your bank or credit card issuer — Many provide free FICO or VantageScore access.
- Credit Karma or Credit Sesame — Free VantageScore monitoring with alerts.
For ongoing credit monitoring and personalized advice on improving your score, consider Creditship.ai, which offers free credit monitoring and concrete guidance.
FAQ
Does checking my credit score on Credit Karma lower it?
No. Credit Karma uses a soft inquiry to display your score. It will never affect your credit.
How many points does a hard inquiry cost?
A single hard inquiry usually lowers your score by 2 to 5 points. The impact fades over a few months.
Can my employer check my credit score without permission?
Employers can request a credit report (not your score) for hiring purposes, but only with your written consent. This is a soft inquiry and won't affect your score.
Is it bad to check your credit score every day?
Not at all. Checking your own score is always a soft inquiry, no matter how often you do it. Daily monitoring can actually help you catch errors or fraud faster.
Take Control of Your Credit Today
Checking your credit score is completely safe and one of the best things you can do for your financial future. Don't let myths hold you back from understanding where you stand. Start monitoring your score today with Firstcard and take the first step toward building stronger credit.
Firstcard Educational Content Team - March 14, 2026
