What happens if you check your own credit score?
Isabella Harris
Published Jan 06, 2026
Anytime your credit is checked, an inquiry is noted on your credit report. Soft inquiries don’t affect your credit scores, but hard inquiries can. Checking your own credit score is considered a soft inquiry and won’t affect your credit.
How many points do you lose when your credit is checked?
five points
According to FICO, a hard inquiry from a lender will decrease your credit score five points or less. If you have a strong credit history and no other credit issues, you may find that your scores drop even less than that. The drop is temporary.
What credit score is usually checked?
For a score with a range between 300 and 850, a credit score of 700 or above is generally considered good. A score of 800 or above on the same range is considered to be excellent. Most consumers have credit scores that fall between 600 and 750.
How can I find out what my credit score is?
Many bank card issuers offer timely credit score rating stories on their websites. They’re not calculated by the same credit reporting agencies that keep your credit score reports. It’s essential to make sure your credit report is accurate, so your credit score could be too.
Is it bad to check your own credit score?
Checking your own credit score is considered a soft inquiry, and won’t affect your credit. Learn more about inquiries, what can lower your score and more. Sign In
Is it free to check your credit score?
Some sites provide a free credit score to users. Others may provide credit scores to credit monitoring customers paying a monthly subscription fee. In addition to checking your credit scores, it’s a good idea to regularly check your credit reports to ensure that the information is accurate and complete.
Can you check your credit score from three credit bureaus?
Many people think if you check your credit reports from the three nationwide credit bureaus, you’ll see credit scores as well. But that’s not the case: credit reports from the three nationwide credit bureaus do not usually contain credit scores.
