Does your credit score drop when you check it?

When you check your own credit score, it does not have any impact on your credit score itself. This is because checking your own credit score constitutes a soft inquiry, which does not affect your credit. Soft inquiries are used for informational purposes and do not involve a review for lending or credit approval.

When employers or credit card companies with a preapproval option perform soft inquiries, they are simply looking to confirm your identity and estimate the likelihood of responsible payment of bills. Only after you officially apply for the card, and a hard inquiry occurs, will a credit score drop. Your credit score is available for free on several online credit score monitoring services. Your monthly bank and credit card statements sometimes may also record your credit score.