{"id":781,"date":"2022-04-22T18:53:16","date_gmt":"2022-04-22T18:53:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/?p=781"},"modified":"2025-03-29T02:20:23","modified_gmt":"2025-03-29T02:20:23","slug":"how-to-check-credit-score-without-hurting-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sprucemoney.com\/resource-center\/building-credit\/how-to-check-credit-score-without-hurting-it\/","title":{"rendered":"How to check your credit score without hurting it"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Reviewing your credit is an important habit. Whether you\u2019re planning on borrowing money for major purchases like a car or a house; or want to apply for a credit card or any other credit products; or just simply want to keep track of your identity, credit report and credit score, it\u2019s good to check in periodically. But if you\u2019re already concerned about your credit score \u2014 and let\u2019s be real, many of us are \u2014 you may be wondering how to check your credit score without hurting it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This post will walk through the basics of checking your credit score, the types of credit inquiries, and how to check your credit score without hurting it. Ready to take a breath and jump in? We promise not to make this topic painful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, what\u2019s a credit score?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Most consumers who have ever been lent money from a creditor, credit card company, or bank have a credit score. It\u2019s determined by your past and current financial behavior \u2014 and helps lenders evaluate whether to lend you money or not. Employers, landlords, and insurance companies could inquire about your credit score, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Your credit score could range anywhere from 300 to 850 \u2013 the latter number being the best. The higher your credit score, the more likely you will be approved by creditors to borrow money at a good rate. A lower credit score means you could have a more challenging time borrowing money, or you could incur higher interest rates with less favorable terms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With credit, having on-time payments, keeping your credit use low, and having older credit accounts are some of the key factors that will impact your credit score.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read our \u201cWhat is a good credit score?\u201d<\/a> post or \u201cHow to start building credit<\/a>\u201d post to learn more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Credit inquiries 101<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Every time a lender or creditor requests your credit information from a credit reporting agency, this is called a credit inquiry. Inquiries are classified as soft and hard inquiries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A soft credit inquiry<\/strong> (or check) doesn’t affect your credit score because it doesn\u2019t represent an action that could affect your ability to pay off debt. Common examples of soft inquiries are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n