If you run a small business, you’ve no doubt heard the expression: “Know your numbers”. While that advice often refers to numbers like sales or profit margins, there are other numbers you’ll need to know. 

One is your company’s D-U-N-S^® Number.

Here’s what that number means, why it’s important, and how you can leverage it to help grow your business.

What Is a D-U-N-S Number?

A D-U-N-S Number is a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses, created by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). (“DUNS” stands for Data Universal Numbering System.) It’s a unique nine-digit identifier for businesses, created and assigned by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) to help identify and track companies globally. This system helps identify and verify companies worldwide.

Your D-U-N-S Number links to your  business’s Live Business Identity. Live Business Identity includes all the data Dun & Bradstreet has on a company, including extensive payment history and entity ownership.

Many organizations use D-U-N-S Numbers to:

• Check a company’s creditworthiness
• Verify business information
• Decide on loan applications
• Evaluate potential business partners

While not always required, having a D-U-N-S Number can help establish your business’s credibility. It shows you’re serious about building a strong financial foundation for your company.

You can get a D-U-N-S Number for free.

Why You Need a D-U-N-S Number

Here are some reasons why you want to get a D-U-N-S Number for your small business: 

Build business credit history

With a D-U-N-S Number, you can start building a separate credit profile for your business. This helps you move away from relying on your personal credit for business matters. A strong business credit profile can lead to better financing options and terms.

Establish credibility

Your D-U-N-S Number puts your business in a global database that other companies use to verify potential partners. Getting a D-U-N-S number and establishing a positive credit history with Dun & Bradstreet can boost your credibility when dealing with new suppliers or customers.

Get better terms from suppliers

Good business credit can help your business secure better terms with suppliers, which can positively impact your cash flow. Many vendors and suppliers will request a D-U-N-S Number to verify your business. Not having a credit file with D&B may mean your business must pay cash at the time of purchase, or may even miss out on savings. 

Secure government contracts

While no longer required for all federal contracts, having a D-U-N-S Number can still make the application process faster for certain contracting opportunities, including opportunities outside the U.S.

Get grants

A D-U-N-S Number may be requested when you apply for a grant. Not having one may slow the process. 

Get your app in the Apple App Store

Developers who want to get their app in the App Store will need a D-U-N-S number

Register with the FDA

If your business is a food or drug facility that is required to register with the FDA, you’ll need a D-U-N-S Number as an acceptable unique facility identifier (UFI). (Your suppliers must have one as well.) 

In short, a D-U-N-S Number may be required for any number of reasons so getting one before you need it is a good idea. It’s not just about accessing credit: it’s about positioning your company for success in the global marketplace.

How to Use the D-U-N-S Number Lookup Tool

Before you apply for a new D-U-N-S Number, check if your business already has one. Here’s how to use Dun & Bradstreet’s free lookup tool:

Visit the D&B D-U-N-S Number lookup page

You’ll see this form where you can look up your business:

Meta description: Screenshot showing the words Dun & Bradstreet D-U-N-S Number lookup, a search field, and a blue button that says D-U-N-S Number Lookup Tool

In the search field you’ll see a drop down menu that lets you search for:

• My Company or 
• Other Company

Choose my company to find out if your business already has an active D-U-N-S Number.

You can then search by address or by business phone number. 

If you choose the address search, you’ll need to provide:

• Your company name
• Address
• State and country

If you choose the phone number search, you’ll need to provide a business phone number. 

If there is no match, you’ll see a button that says: Get a New D-U-N-S Number

If there is a match, you’ll see the results of the search along with these options:

Meta description for image: Screenshot from D&B website D-U-N-S Number Lookup page that says Email D-U-N-S Number or View/Edit Company Information

Email D-U-N-S Number or View/Edit Company Information

You can click on Email D-U-N-S Number to request to have your company’s D-U-N-S Number emailed to you, you’ll see this message: 

You can access Dun & Bradstreet’s free  Credit Insights product for this D-U-N-S^® Number. Credit Insights provides free email alerts for changes to your company’s credit score and ratings.

How to Register for a D-U-N-S Number

If you’ve checked and found that your business doesn’t have a D-U-N-S Number, here’s how to get one.

Eligibility

You don’t need to be a certain size or have a specific legal structure to get a D-U-N-S number. Even sole proprietorships can get one; however, certain applications (such as the App Store registration) may require a legal entity. 

Registration process

Visit the Dun & Bradstreet website at DNB.com and look for the option to get a D-U-N-S Number. (As mentioned above, it’s a good idea to check whether your business is already registered with D&B.)

You’ll first be asked why you want a D-U-N-S number:

• I have a U.S. based business
• I am an Apple developer
• I am a US contractor and government grantee
• I need a UFI to register with the FDA

Most businesses will choose the first option.

The next step is to fill out the application. You’ll need to answer questions about:

• Legal business name
• Any trade names or DBA (“doing business as”) names
• Physical address
• Mailing address (if different)
• Phone number
• Name and title of a company officer
• Number of employees
• Line of business (industry)

You can then choose from: 

• A free D-U-N-S Number (which can take up to 30 business days), 
• An expedited D-U-N-S Number & D&B Credit Insights Free, or 
• An expedited D-U-N-S Number & D&B Credit Insights Basics

See the D&B website for pricing and detailed information on all of these options. 

Submit your application

After filling out all required fields, submit your application.

D&B may contact you to verify the details you’ve provided. This helps ensure the accuracy of their database.

Time frame

The standard process to get your D-U-N-S Number usually takes up to 30 business days. If you need it faster, D&B offers a paid expedited service that can provide your number within eight business days.

Make sure all information is accurate. Errors can slow down the process or create issues later when building your business credit.

Once you receive your D-U-N-S Number, keep it in a safe place. It will come in handy if you apply for credit or other situations where it is needed. 

How the D-U-N-S Number Affects Business Credit

Just getting a D-U-N-S Number doesn’t build business credit itself but it’s a first step in the process of establishing business credit. 

Once you get your D-U-N-S Number, the next step is to get accounts with suppliers, vendors, or lenders that report to Dun & Bradstreet—and then pay those accounts on time (or even early). On-time payments can help you build strong credit scores, such as your D&B PAYDEX score. 

Don’t wait too long to get started. Here’s why:

First, if you apply for credit—whether that’s in the form of net-30 vendor accounts, a business credit card, or a small business loan—you’ll probably be asked for it on the application. If you’re able to supply it you help ensure that credit accounts that are reported are correctly associated with your business. 

Secondly, building business credit takes time. The sooner you start, the more time you have to build a positive credit history with accounts your business pays on time. Payment history is an important factor in evaluating credit risk. 

When you need credit with a company that relies on business credit reports from Dun & Bradstreet, an on-time payment history will help. 

Common Issues with D-U-N-S Numbers and How to Solve Them

For the vast majority of businesses, getting and using a D-U-N-S Number is straightforward. But there are some potential issues you could encounter, and if you do, here’s how to fix them.

Incorrect business information

If the company data linked to your D-U-N-S Number is wrong, you can visit Dun & Bradstreet’s website and log into your account. In D-U-N-S^® Manager you’ll be able to review and update your company profile. (D&B may review your changes before updating its records.)

Duplicate D-U-N-S Numbers

If your business is associated with more than one D-U-N-S Number, contact D&B’s customer service for help. Duplicate files can be merged. 

Inactive D-U-N-S Numbers

A D-U-N-S Number can become inactive if there is a lack of activity. Again, you can reach out to D&B’s customer support team to request reactivation. 

Missing payment experiences

Your business credit reports may not show all of your account payment experiences. These are often called “trade references” within the commercial credit industry and  companies are not required to report this data to all major business credit bureaus. One way to take control over what is included in your business credit file is to use  Dun & Bradstreet’s Credit Insights Plus™ product to supplement your business credit file. Credit Insights Plus provides an avenue for companies to directly upload regular-term payment documentation, financial statements, and banking statements into the D&B system for consideration when calculating your business credit scores and ratings. 

Here is Dun & Bradstreet’s customer support page. It lists support options and contact information. 

D-U-N-S Number Lookup Alternatives 

The D-U-N-S Number Lookup is an easy way to check if your business has a D-U-N-S Number. 

A Nav account offers another way to check if your business has a credit file with Dun & Bradstreet. With Nav, business owners can check and monitor their business credit with multiple business credit bureaus, including Dun & Bradstreet.

Get Help with Your Business Credit Profile

Nav can help you with your business credit and understand the factors that vendors, lenders, and potential partners care about.

If your business needs a small business loan or financing, Nav can help you view your top financial options based on your business data. 

Frequently Asked Questions About D-U-N-S Numbers

Here are answers to common questions about D-U-N-S Numbers:

Is a D-U-N-S Number free? 

Yes, getting a D-U-N-S Number is free. Dun & Bradstreet offers a basic registration at no cost. Dun & Bradstreet also offers a paid service for business owners who want expedited service and credit monitoring. 

How long does it take to get a D-U-N-S Number? 

The standard process usually takes up to 30 business days. If you need it faster, D&B offers a paid expedited service that can provide your number within eight business days.

What if my business already has one? 

If your business already has a D-U-N-S Number, you don’t need to apply for a new one. You can use D&B’s lookup tool to find your existing number.

Do I need a D-U-N-S Number to get a business credit card? 

Most business credit cards don’t require a D-U-N-S Number to apply. However, if you have one, be sure to include it where requested on the application. This can help to ensure any payment history that is reported is correctly associated with your business.

Can a sole proprietor get a D-U-N-S Number? 

Yes, sole proprietors can get a D-U-N-S Number. You do not need to form a business entity, though there are a number of benefits to doing that. 

Is a D-U-N-S Number the same as an EIN? 

No, they’re different. An EIN (Employer Identification Number) is issued by the IRS for tax purposes. A D-U-N-S Number is used for business identification and credit reporting by Dun & Bradstreet.

Do I need a D-U-N-S Number to get government contracts? 

While a D-U-N-S Number used to be required for all federal contracts, it’s no longer mandatory. The government now uses a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) for its System for Award Management (SAM). However, there may be situations where having a D-U-N-S Number is helpful when applying for government contracts. 

How do I update information linked to my D-U-N-S Number? 

You can update your business information through D&B’s website. Log into your account, find the option to update your business profile, and submit the changes.

Can anyone look up my business’s D-U-N-S Number? 

The D-U-N-S Number itself is public information. However, to view detailed business information, someone would need to purchase a report from D&B or be verified as a company representative.

What if I find incorrect information linked to my D-U-N-S Number? 

Contact D&B’s customer support to report and correct any errors. Be prepared to provide documentation to support the correct information.