Hard Inquiry
Definition
A lender's full credit-report check triggered when you apply for credit; recorded on your report and can cause a small, temporary score dip.A hard inquiry (or hard enquiry) is when a bank, NBFC or card issuer pulls your full credit report because you have applied for credit, such as a loan or credit card. It is recorded on your credit report, is visible to other lenders, and can cause a small, temporary dip in your score. It differs from a soft inquiry — such as checking your own score — which does not affect your score. A hard inquiry does not by itself determine whether an application is approved.
Related guides
Related terms
- CIBIL Score — A 3-digit credit score from 300 to 900 issued by TransUnion CIBIL that summarises an individual's credit history.
- Credit Report — A detailed record of a person's borrowing and repayment history maintained by a credit bureau.
- Credit Utilization Ratio — The percentage of your total credit limit you are currently using; keeping it below 30% is widely advised.
- Soft Inquiry — A credit check not tied to a credit application — e.g. a self-check, pre-approved-offer screen or background check — that does not affect your score.
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