If you’re looking to have your business approved for government contracts, qualify for certain loans, or even receive business tax breaks, getting a North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code will be essential for you.
This NAICS Code Lookup article will guide you through the process of determining your business’ NAICS code using our tool. This will allow you to search for a NAICS code by keyword or browse through a list of NAICS codes to help you accurately classify your business.
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NAICS Code Lookup
Use our NAICS Code Lookup finder to get the correct NAICS code for any business.
What is a NAICS Code
The NAICS coding system is used for classifying business establishments by industry. NAICS (pronounced as “nakes”) code was first created by the federal statistical agencies of the US, Canada, and Mexico for the purpose of evaluating and publishing statistical data related to the US’s business economy.
The NAICS code system was introduced in 1997 to replace the SIC Codes (Standard Industrial Classification) system and is renewed every five years — with the last update taking place in 2022 and the next one scheduled for 2027.
NAICS codes provide businesses with tools to quickly and accurately conduct research into the business statistics of specific industries. You can locate and choose the proper NAICS code that best represents your company by using our NAICS Code Lookup tool.
Common NAICS Codes
The NAICS codes you’ll need will depend on the industry in which your business operates. For example, if you’re conducting business in the finance, insurance, or real estate sector, one of the following business codes will likely apply:
- 52200 – Finance: banking and credit intermediation
- 52400 – Insurance carriers and related activities
- 53100 – Real estate
- 52310 – Securities, commodity contracts, and other financial investments and related activities (including funds and trusts)
However, there are many other industry classifications that may be relevant to your business (e.g., retail trade, food services, and other motor vehicle dealers).
Using our tool can help you make informed business decisions as it provides accurate and up-to-date information related to all specific niches and industries.
How to Use NAICS Code Lookup
NAICS codes are self-assigned, which means that no one will give one to you. Instead it’s up to you to figure out which ones apply to your business and obtain them — especially if it’s a requirement in your state.
In the sections below, we’ve broken the process of how to do this into three simple steps.
Step 1: Do a NAICS Code Lookup
To determine the correct NAICS, simply use our NAICS Code Lookup tool on this page. If you’re forming an LLC, you can visit our NAICS Code for LLC page for more details.
Step 2: Select Your Industry
In the NAICS code lookup search bar, enter a keyword that best fits your primary type of business activity. There will appear a list of industry titles containing that keyword with the corresponding NAICS codes.
For example, once you enter a key search phrase such as “real estate” or “insurance”, you’ll find a list of NAICS codes that will match your query.
Step 3: Determine Your NAICS Code
Choose the NAICS code that best reflects your primary type of business activity. If your business has multiple revenue-producing activities (products, services, etc.), then you can select multiple codes as long as they accurately represent your business.
If you think you’re unsure of identifying your NAICS code, you can contact the US Census Bureau for assistance via phone at (888) 756-2427 or via email at NAICS@census.gov.
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Why Should You Use NAICS Codes For Your Business?
Having a NAICS code for your business not only classifies your business, but also lets you have access to several government programs, tax incentives, and loan opportunities to help your business expand.
For example, if you qualify as a small business according to the standards of the Small Business Administration (SBA), you are eligible for small business contracts. These contracts are set aside by the federal government exclusively for small businesses.
Furthermore, using NAICS codes help to create a niche market for your business.
If you’re working towards forming a small business, you might need to assign a NAICS Code. Our NAICS Code for LLC article can help you expand your business and save time by identifying competitors and targeting the right customers.
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NAICS Code Lookup FAQ
How do I find out what my NAICS code is?
To find out your code, you can use our NAICS Code Lookup. Simply enter keywords related to your business activities, and the tool will provide the appropriate code for your industry.
This ensures accurate classification and helps keep your business compliant with reporting requirements.
Is there a fee for assigning a NAICS Code?
No, there is no fee for assigning a NAICS code. These codes are self-assigned on an establishment basis according to your business activities, and can be found free of charge using our NAICS Code Lookup tool.
If you haven’t yet started your business, you can find out more about the other steps involved in this process in our How to Start an LLC guide.
What if I choose the wrong NAICS Code for my business?
You can change your code by filing a NAICS code change online via your proper state agency’s official website.
While there’s no filing fee for this service, changes to your business’s NAICS codes can only be made every five years through a notice in the federal register. The last update was made in 2022 and with new revisions next planned for 2027.
Why do some NAICS Codes only have five digits?
According to NAICS, the 5-digit codes would represent the level at which the system is comparable among the US, Canada, and Mexico. The sixth digit allows for each country to have greater detail in industry classifications. Below are the designations of each digit:
First two digits – economic sector
Third digit – subsector
Fourth digit – the industry group
Fifth digit – the NAICS industry
Sixth digit – the national industry