# Hard Inquiry

*Borrowing & Credit — Finicade finance glossary*

A hard inquiry is a lender checking your credit file because you applied for credit, and it typically costs a handful of points for up to a year. Several in a short window signal distress, with one important exception: rate shopping for a single mortgage, auto or student loan inside a 14–45 day window is scored as one inquiry, so comparing lenders doesn't punish you. Hard inquiries stay visible on the report for two years but stop affecting the score after one.

**Also known as:** hard pull, hard credit check

**Related terms:** [Soft Inquiry](https://finicade.com/glossary/soft-inquiry), [Credit Report](https://finicade.com/glossary/credit-report), [Credit Score](https://finicade.com/glossary/credit-score), [Credit Bureau](https://finicade.com/glossary/credit-bureau)

Source: https://finicade.com/glossary/hard-inquiry