Does Checking Your Credit Score Lower It? The 2025 Truth for Rebuilders

When I was deep in the trenches of rebuilding my credit, staring down a daunting 480 score, every piece of financial advice felt like a minefield. One of the most persistent worries I heard, and certainly felt myself, was: "Does checking your credit score lower it?" This fear is so common, especially for those of us on the path to financial recovery, that it often prevents people from taking the very first step in understanding their credit health.

Let me cut straight to it: No, checking your own credit score, responsibly, does not lower it. This is a fundamental truth that needs to be understood, especially as we navigate 2025. In fact, regularly checking your score and report is a crucial best practice for anyone serious about improving their financial standing. It’s how you stay informed, catch errors, and track your progress. Let's dive into why this myth persists and what you really need to know.

Person looking at a credit score chart on a tablet

The Credit Score Check Myth: What You Need to Know

The confusion around checking your credit score often stems from a misunderstanding of how credit inquiries work. There are two primary types of credit inquiries, and only one of them has the potential to impact your score.

Soft Inquiries vs. Hard Inquiries: The Key Difference

Understanding the distinction between soft and hard inquiries is the cornerstone of dispelling the "checking your score lowers it" myth.

What is a Soft Inquiry?

A soft inquiry (also known as a "soft pull" or "soft credit check") occurs when:

  • You check your own credit score or report through a free service, your bank, or a credit monitoring app.
  • A potential lender or insurer pre-approves you for an offer (e.g., a credit card offer in the mail).
  • An employer conducts a background check (with your permission).
  • You are checking your own score for educational purposes.

Impact: Soft inquiries do not affect your credit score. They are only visible to you and the entity that performed the check, but they are not visible to other lenders. This is why you can check your score daily if you want, without any negative repercussions. This was a huge relief for me when I was tracking my progress from 480 to 780; it meant I could obsessively monitor my efforts without undoing them.

What is a Hard Inquiry?

A hard inquiry (also known as a "hard pull" or "hard credit check") occurs when:

  • You apply for new credit, such as a credit card, mortgage, auto loan, or student loan.
  • You open a new utility account.
  • You apply for an apartment or rental property.

Impact: Hard inquiries can temporarily lower your credit score by a few points (typically 1-5 points). This is because they signal to lenders that you are actively seeking new credit, which can sometimes indicate a higher risk, especially if you have many hard inquiries in a short period. These inquiries remain on your credit report for up to two years, though their impact on your score typically diminishes after a few months.

It's important to note that a single hard inquiry usually has a minimal effect. The concern arises when you have multiple hard inquiries in a short timeframe, as this can suggest financial distress or an inability to manage credit responsibly. This is why it’s always wise to only apply for credit you genuinely need and are likely to be approved for.

Why Credit Monitoring is Safe and Smart

Given the distinction, it becomes clear that monitoring your credit is not only safe but also incredibly smart. Services like Credit Karma, Experian, MyFICO, and even many banks offer free access to your credit scores and reports. Utilizing these tools is a critical part of your credit repair journey. They use soft inquiries, so you can check as often as you like without fear of lowering your score.

Understanding How Your Credit Score is Calculated

To truly understand why soft inquiries don't hurt your score, it helps to know what does influence it. Your credit score isn't some arbitrary number; it's a dynamic reflection of your financial behavior, calculated based on several key factors.

The Pillars of Your Score

While the exact weighting can vary slightly between scoring models, the fundamental categories remain consistent. Generally, how your credit score is calculated relies on these main components:

  • Payment History (35%): Are you paying your bills on time? This is the single most important factor.
  • Amounts Owed (30%): How much debt do you have relative to your available credit? This includes your credit utilization ratio.
  • Length of Credit History (15%): How long have your credit accounts been open?
  • New Credit (10%): How many new accounts have you opened recently, and how many hard inquiries do you have? This is where hard inquiries play a minor role.
  • Credit Mix (10%): Do you have a healthy mix of different types of credit (e.g., credit cards, installment loans)?

As you can see, new credit and inquiries make up only a small fraction (10%) of your score, and within that, it's specifically hard inquiries that matter. Your routine checks fall outside this category entirely. For a deeper dive into these factors, check out our guide on what affects your credit score the most.

FICO vs. VantageScore: What Are the Differences?

When you check your credit score, you might notice that you have different scores from different sources. This isn't a mistake; it's usually because there are different scoring models at play. The two most common are FICO and VantageScore.

  • FICO Score: Developed by Fair Isaac Corporation, FICO scores are the most widely used by lenders (over 90% in 2025). There are many versions of FICO scores (e.g., FICO 8, FICO 9, industry-specific scores), each with slight variations in their calculations.
  • VantageScore: Created by the three major credit bureaus (Experian, Equifax, TransUnion) as an alternative to FICO. VantageScore 3.0 and 4.0 are commonly used today, particularly by free credit monitoring services. While the categories are similar to FICO, their weighting can differ, and VantageScore models can score consumers with shorter credit histories more easily.

Both models use a similar range (typically 300-850) and evaluate the same core data from your credit reports. Understanding FICO vs VantageScore differences helps explain why your scores might vary slightly depending on where you look, but the core principle of soft inquiries not harming your score remains true for both.

Best Practices for Monitoring Your Credit Score

Now that we’ve established that checking your score is safe, let’s talk about the best ways to do it and integrate it into your credit repair strategy.

How Often Should You Check?

There's no hard-and-fast rule, but I recommend checking your credit score at least once a month. This consistency allows you to:

  • Track progress: See how your efforts (like timely payments or reducing debt) are impacting your score.
  • Spot errors: Quickly identify any inaccuracies or fraudulent activity that could harm your credit.
  • Stay informed: Understand the general health of your credit profile.

When I was rebuilding, I checked almost weekly in the beginning. It gave me a sense of control and motivated me to keep going.

Utilizing Free Credit Resources

In 2025, there are more free and reliable options than ever to monitor your credit:

  • Credit Monitoring Services: Websites and apps like Credit Karma, Credit Sesame, and NerdWallet provide free VantageScores and simplified credit reports.
  • Banks and Credit Card Companies: Many financial institutions now offer free FICO or VantageScores to their customers as part of their online banking services.
  • AnnualCreditReport.com: This is the only authorized website to get a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major bureaus (Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion) once every 12 months. During the pandemic, access was extended to weekly, and while that may change, it's always a reliable source.
Online credit monitoring dashboard with graphs and numbers

Step-by-Step: How to Safely Check Your Credit Report and Score

Okay, let's get practical. Here's a simple, step-by-step approach to safely checking your credit and leveraging that information.

1. Getting Your Free Annual Credit Report

The first crucial step is to obtain your official credit reports.

  • Visit AnnualCreditReport.com: This is the only official, government-authorized website. Be wary of look-alike sites.
  • Request all three reports: You can request a free report from Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion once every 12 months. It's often advisable to pull all three, as information can sometimes vary between bureaus.
  • Download and save: Once you access them, download and save a copy for your records.

2. Reviewing for Errors – A Crucial Step

This is where the detective work begins. Go through each report line by line. Look for:

  • Accounts you don't recognize: These could indicate identity theft.
  • Incorrect payment statuses: Are payments marked late when they were on time?
  • Incorrect account balances or credit limits: Do they match your records?
  • Duplicate accounts: The same debt listed twice.
  • Outdated information: Negative information should generally fall off after 7 years (bankruptcies after 10).

This step was pivotal in my own journey. I found an old collection account that was erroneously reported as still open, even though I'd settled it years prior. Catching and correcting such errors can significantly boost your score.

3. Disputing Inaccuracies (Legal Tips)

If you find errors, you have the legal right to dispute them. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) is your friend here, ensuring that credit reporting agencies and information furnishers (like lenders) maintain accurate credit information.

  • Gather evidence: Collect any documents that prove the information on your report is incorrect (e.g., payment receipts, settlement letters, police reports for identity theft).
  • Contact the credit bureau: You can dispute online, by mail, or by phone. Online is often the quickest. Clearly state what information is incorrect and why, providing your supporting documents.
  • Contact the furnisher (optional but recommended): Also known as the data furnisher, this is the company that reported the information (e.g., the bank, collection agency). Send them a letter explaining the error and providing evidence, requesting they correct it with all three credit bureaus.
  • Follow up: Credit bureaus typically have 30-45 days to investigate your dispute. Keep records of all correspondence. If the item is indeed found to be inaccurate or unverifiable, it must be removed.

This process can feel intimidating, but remember, you have rights. There are resources available, and many credit repair services can also help guide you through this if you feel overwhelmed.

What Truly Affects Your Credit Score the Most?

While the direct impact of checking your own credit score is negligible, it’s worth reiterating what really moves the needle, especially for someone rebuilding. As touched upon earlier, what affects your credit score the most are:

  1. Payment History: Missing payments or paying late is the most damaging factor. Conversely, making all your payments on time consistently is the most powerful way to build good credit.
  2. Credit Utilization: Keeping your credit card balances low compared to your credit limits is crucial. Aim to keep your utilization below 30%, and ideally even lower (10% or less) for optimal scores.

Focusing your energy on these two areas will yield the biggest returns. Regularly checking your credit score allows you to monitor these key factors, catch potential issues, and see the positive impact of your efforts.

Conclusion

The myth that checking your credit score lowers it is a pervasive one, but as we've seen, it's largely unfounded for personal checks. In 2025, there's no reason to fear looking at your own credit data. In fact, it's a vital step on your journey to financial recovery and a higher score.

My personal turnaround from 480 to 780 wasn't just about paying bills; it was about understanding the system, actively monitoring my progress, and confidently tackling any inaccuracies. Don't let a baseless fear hold you back. Start checking your score and report regularly, understand the factors at play, and take control of your credit future. Your journey to a stronger financial standing begins with knowledge and consistent action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does checking my credit score online hurt it?

No, checking your own credit score through online services, your bank, or credit monitoring apps typically uses a "soft inquiry," which does not affect your credit score. These checks are for informational purposes only and are not visible to lenders.

How often should I check my credit score?

For individuals recovering from poor credit, it's a good best practice to check your credit score at least once a month. This allows you to track progress, identify potential errors quickly, and stay informed about the overall health of your credit profile. You can also pull your full credit reports from all three major bureaus for free once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com.