Soft vs hard credit check: what's the difference?

Last reviewed February 2026

i QUICK ANSWER

A soft credit check looks at your credit file but doesn't leave a footprint other lenders can see, and it has no effect on your credit score. A hard credit check leaves a footprint and is recorded when you formally apply for credit. A single hard check usually has only a small, short-term effect on your score.

What is a soft credit check?

A soft check is a light-touch look at your credit file. It's used for things like eligibility checks, insurance quotes, identity verification or you look at your own file. Soft checks have no impact on your credit score, and they're not visible to other lenders. Companies undertaking soft search only see basic information about your credit history.

What is a hard credit check?

A hard check is a full search that's recorded on your credit file and can be visible to other lenders for up to 24 months. Lenders run a hard check when you formally apply for credit such as a loan, credit card, or mortgage.

A single hard check usually has only a small, short-term effect on your score. But several in a short space of time can suggest you're applying for a lot of credit at once, which lenders may view less favourably.

When does each type of check happen?

1

Comparing or checking eligibility

When you use an eligibility checker or get a quote, the lender runs a soft check. This has no impact on your score.

2

Applying for credit formally

When you submit a full application for a loan, credit card, or mortgage, the lender runs a hard check. This is recorded on your file.

3

Checking your own credit

When you view your own report through a service like Experian, it's a soft check. You can do this as often as you like with no impact.

Soft vs hard credit checks at a glance

	Soft check	Hard check
Leaves a footprint	No	Yes
Affects credit score	No	It can do. Too many hard credit checks can indicate you are over-reliant on credit, which may lower your credit score.
Visible to other lenders	No	Yes, up to 24 months
Typical use	Quotes, eligibility, ID checks	Formal credit applications

Don’t recognise a search?

If there’s a search on your credit file that you don’t recognise you can report this to the Credit Reference Agency.

Before doing this, though, there are some things to check first.

For example, the company name conducting the search might be different to the one you’ve applied to. They may have a different trading name. Perhaps they belong to a wider Group and you’re dealing with the subsidiary.

Also, a lender may be using an intermediary, that is accessing your data on their behalf. Check the consent wording on the website to see who is actually searching your file.