U.S. Mortgage Index

Hard inquiry

Definition

A hard inquiry is a credit inquiry typically recorded when a consumer applies for new credit. Soft inquiries are the contrasting event.

In plain English

Applying for a mortgage, a credit card, or another new account can produce a hard inquiry on the credit report. The inquiry records that a lender reviewed the file for a credit decision. This page does not say how any scoring model treats that event. Shopping among mortgage lenders is a related consumer topic, not a scoring rule here.

Technical definition

CFPB’s credit-report heading is the official consumer file that records inquiries. Hard inquiry is the application-driven form of that recorded event.

Why it matters

Borrowers who see a new inquiry after a mortgage application need the hard/soft split.

Sources reviewed