Hard inquiry
A hard inquiry is a credit check a lender runs when you apply for new credit, such as a credit card or loan, that appears on your credit report and is visible to other lenders.
Why it matters
It matters because hard inquiries are part of the new credit factor in your FICO score, weighted at 10 percent; too many applications in a short span can signal risk to lenders.
Example
Applying for a new credit card triggers a hard inquiry; opening three cards in one month adds three hard inquiries that lenders can see.
Learn more
Educational only — not financial advice. No guarantees.