Affirm is one of the most popular buy now, pay later (BNPL) services — but its impact on your credit score depends on which type of Affirm loan you use. Some Affirm loans trigger a hard credit inquiry; others only use a soft pull. And Affirm reports some loans to Experian, which means missed payments can hurt your score. Here's exactly how Affirm affects your credit in 2026.
Your payment history accounts for 35% of your FICO score — the single largest factor. Setting up autopay for at least the minimum payment eliminates the risk of a missed payment tanking your score.
When Affirm Does a Hard Inquiry
Affirm performs a hard credit inquiry for its 0% APR promotional financing loans (typically offered through specific retailers like Peloton or Walmart). A hard inquiry can temporarily lower your credit score by 5–10 points.
For most standard Affirm loans (3, 6, or 12-month installment plans), Affirm only performs a soft inquiry — which does not affect your credit score.
✓ Pros
- Split purchases into installments
- Often 0% interest if paid on time
- Instant approval decision
- No hard credit pull (usually)
✗ Cons
- Late fees if you miss payments
- Can encourage overspending
- Limited purchase protection
- Some report to credit bureaus
Getting approved and getting funded are two different steps, and most people who lose the loan lose it in between. Three things that decide it:
- Ask for what your score supports. Under a 660 score, $5,000 to $15,000 gets approved far more often than $25,000 and up. A smaller request usually means a real offer instead of a decline.
- Accept and verify the same day. Offers expire. Have a recent pay stub or bank statement ready to upload, and answer the verification email or call quickly.
- The origination fee comes out of the deposit. It runs 0% to 12%. A $10,000 loan with an 8% fee puts $9,200 in your account, so size the request with the fee in mind.
When Affirm Reports to Credit Bureaus
Affirm reports loan information to Experian for certain loan types. As of 2026, Affirm reports: - All Affirm loans originated through its Pay Monthly product - Some longer-term installment loans
Affirm does not report to Equifax or TransUnion. If Affirm reports your loan and you miss a payment, it will appear on your Experian credit report and can significantly damage your score.
See who actually approves your score range — and the APR to expect.
How to Use Affirm Without Hurting Your Credit
To minimize credit score impact when using Affirm: choose short-term pay-in-4 plans (which typically don't trigger hard inquiries or bureau reporting), always pay on time, and avoid applying for multiple Affirm loans in a short period.