Answers · Credit
Does shopping refinance rates hurt my credit?
Updated June 2026Browsing and prequalifying: no. Those use soft inquiries — zero score impact. Formal applications use hard inquiries, which can cost a few points, but scoring models count multiple mortgage inquiries within a 14–45 day shopping window as one — by design, so you can compare lenders.
Soft pull vs. hard pull
| Action | Inquiry type | Score impact |
|---|---|---|
| Looking at advertised rates | None | None |
| Using calculators / estimates from numbers you type | None | None |
| Prequalification | Soft | None |
| Formal application (preapproval/underwriting) | Hard | A few points, temporary |
| Several formal mortgage applications in the same window | Hard, deduplicated | Counted as one inquiry |
The shopping window
Credit scoring models are built to allow rate shopping. Multiple mortgage inquiries made within the model's window — 45 days for newer FICO versions, 14 days for some older ones — are treated as a single inquiry. The safe play if you're formally applying to several lenders: do it within the same two weeks.
The part nobody mentions
The bigger cost of rate shopping isn't your score — it's your contact information. Many comparison sites are lead generators: enter your details and they're sold to multiple parties, which is why the spam calls start. Checking math never requires a credit pull or a phone number; only a formal application does. Any site that demands your SSN to "see rates" is running a different business than the one you think.
Compare without being the product
Your free agent shops your anonymous profile to lenders daily. No credit pull, and your name and number stay hidden until you approve a specific offer.
Compare anonymouslyGeneral information about how credit inquiries work, not credit or financial advice. Exact scoring behavior varies by model and bureau.