How Does The FICO Score Count Inquiries?

The FICO score counts inquiries or requests a lender makes for your credit report or score when you apply for credit. Too many inquiries can have a negative impact. Looking for a mortgage or an auto loan (rate shopping) may cause multiple lenders to request your credit report within a short period of time. The score counts multiple inquiries in any 14-day period as just one inquiry.

The score also ignores all inquiries made in the 30 days prior to scoring. If you find a loan within 30 days, the inquiries won’t affect your score while you’re rate shopping. One credit inquiry will usually take less than five points off a score. Inquiries can have a greater impact if you have very few accounts or a short credit history.