- What is a DUNS number?
- Why you need a DUNS number
- Who needs a DUNS number?
- How to get a DUNS number
- How to look up a DUNS number
- DUNS number vs. EIN
- Build business credit with the Ramp Business Credit Card
A D-U-N-S number is a unique nine-digit identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet that identifies your business in commercial and government databases. It’s used to establish business credit, verify your company with vendors and lenders, and meet requirements for certain contracts and applications.
If you’re trying to separate your business finances from your personal credit or work with larger organizations, this number often becomes a prerequisite rather than a nice-to-have.
What is a DUNS number?
A D-U-N-S number is a unique nine-digit identifier assigned to a business by Dun & Bradstreet (D&B). The acronym stands for Data Universal Numbering System, and the number is used worldwide to identify businesses and track commercial activity.
Each D-U-N-S number is tied to a specific business location and remains associated with that entity over time. It functions much like a Social Security number for a company, giving lenders, vendors, and government agencies a consistent way to verify that a business exists and assess its financial reliability.
D&B introduced the D-U-N-S system in 1963, and it has since become the global standard for business identification. Today, the database includes more than 300 million business records worldwide and is recognized under the ISO/IEC 6523 standard for organizational identifiers.
How D-U-N-S numbers work
Once a D-U-N-S number is assigned, it becomes the primary reference point for the business information Dun & Bradstreet maintains about your company. That information updates over time as D&B verifies and collects new data.
Key characteristics of the D-U-N-S system:
- The number anchors your business profile, linking details such as payment history, employee count, revenue estimates, and industry classification
- Each physical business location receives its own D-U-N-S number, even if multiple locations operate under the same legal entity
- The number is permanent and does not change if your business name, ownership structure, or address changes
Why you need a DUNS number
A D-U-N-S number is the foundation for your business’s commercial identity. It allows lenders, vendors, and other organizations to evaluate your company separately from your personal credit and verify that your business is legitimate and established.
In practice, the number becomes the gateway to building business credit, qualifying for certain contracts, and working with large organizations that require standardized business verification. Without one, many applications and vendor onboarding processes simply stop.
| Benefit | How it works | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Build business credit | Dun & Bradstreet uses your D-U-N-S number to track payment behavior and generate your PAYDEX score | Strong payment history helps you qualify for better terms, higher limits, and financing without personal guarantees |
| Establish vendor relationships | Large companies use D-U-N-S numbers to verify suppliers and assess financial reliability | An established profile can determine whether you receive net-30 terms or must pay upfront |
| Access financing | Lenders review the business profile tied to your D-U-N-S number during credit decisions | A complete profile can speed approvals and improve borrowing terms |
| Compete for contracts and grants | While federal agencies now use a UEI, many state, local, and private entities still rely on D-U-N-S numbers | The number remains a common requirement in procurement and subcontracting workflows |
Who needs a DUNS number?
Most registered business entities should have a D-U-N-S number, even if they do not need one immediately. It establishes your business’s commercial identity early and prevents delays when a lender, vendor, or partner eventually requires it. Common entity types that typically need a D-U-N-S number include:
- Limited liability companies (LLCs)
- C corporations and S corporations
- General and limited partnerships
- Nonprofit organizations, including 501(c)(3)s
- Sole proprietorships operating under a DBA
- Professional corporations and professional limited liability companies
In practice, businesses most often need a D-U-N-S number when specific operational or financial requirements arise. Those situations commonly include:
- Applying for state or local government contracts
- Registering as a supplier with large corporations
- Enrolling in company-only programs such as the Apple Developer Program
- Building business credit to separate personal and company finances
- Applying for business loans or lines of credit
How to get a DUNS number
You can apply for a D-U-N-S number directly through Dun & Bradstreet, and the process typically takes less than 10 minutes to complete. Before applying, it’s worth checking whether one has already been issued to your business, as many companies are assigned a number automatically.
To get started, follow these steps:
- Check if your business already has a D-U-N-S number by using Dun & Bradstreet’s free lookup tool
- If no record exists, apply through the Dun & Bradstreet website by selecting the option to get a D-U-N-S number
- Submit your business information exactly as it appears on official records to avoid processing delays
- Wait for Dun & Bradstreet to verify your details and issue your nine-digit number
If you prefer to apply by phone, Dun & Bradstreet also accepts applications at 1-866-705-5711.
Required information for your application
Having accurate information ready helps prevent delays during verification. Dun & Bradstreet uses these details to confirm your business identity and create your profile.
You’ll typically need to provide:
- Legal business name as registered with your state
- Physical business address (P.O. boxes are not accepted as a primary address)
- Mailing address, if different from your physical location
- Primary business phone number
- Name and title of a business owner or principal officer
- Number of employees
- Estimated annual revenue
- Year the business was established
- Primary industry classification, such as a SIC or NAICS code
How long does it take to get a DUNS number?
Standard processing for a D-U-N-S number can take up to 30 business days when you apply through Dun & Bradstreet’s free application process. This timeline includes verification of your business details and the creation of your business profile. If you need a D-U-N-S number more quickly, Dun & Bradstreet offers an expedited option that significantly shortens the processing time.
How much does a D-U-N-S number cost?
Getting a D-U-N-S number is free for all businesses through Dun & Bradstreet’s standard application process. If you need it quickly, D&B also offers an expedited option for a $229 fee.
How to look up a DUNS number
You can look up a D-U-N-S number for your own business or for another company using publicly available tools. This is often the fastest way to confirm whether a number already exists before starting a new application.
The most reliable place to search is Dun & Bradstreet’s free D-U-N-S number lookup tool, which allows you to search by business name, address, or phone number. Many businesses discover they already have a number assigned, even if they never applied for one directly.
You may also find a company’s D-U-N-S number in the following places:
- Public business profiles on SAM.gov or similar procurement systems
- Vendor onboarding documents, invoices, or contracts
- A company’s website, often in the footer or About section
DUNS number vs. EIN
A D-U-N-S number and an Employer Identification Number (EIN) are both nine-digit identifiers, but they serve different roles in how your business is identified and evaluated. Most businesses need both, depending on their tax, credit, and operational requirements.
Your EIN is issued by the IRS and is used for tax reporting, payroll, and opening certain financial accounts. A D-U-N-S number, by contrast, is issued by Dun & Bradstreet and is used to establish your business’s commercial identity and credit profile.
| Feature | D-U-N-S number | EIN (Employer Identification Number) |
|---|---|---|
| Issued by | Dun & Bradstreet | Internal Revenue Service |
| Primary purpose | Business identification and credit reporting | Federal tax filing and payroll |
| Commonly required for | Vendor onboarding, business credit, some contracts | Hiring employees, filing taxes, opening bank accounts |
| Cost | Free, with an optional $229 expedited service | Free |
| Format | Nine random digits | Nine digits with a hyphen |
Build business credit with the Ramp Business Credit Card
A D-U-N-S number is a key step in building your company’s credit profile, but it’s only part of the picture. To really strengthen business credit, you need consistent, responsible financial activity.
With the Ramp Business Credit Card, you can build your credit history while maintaining complete control over your company's spending. Our card reports to major business credit bureaus, helping you establish the credit you need for loans, contracts, and vendor partnerships.
Unlike traditional business credit cards, Ramp has no personal credit checks, no personal guarantees, and no annual fees. You’ll also get access to perks like unlimited physical and virtual cards, smart spend controls, automated expense management, and over $350,000 in partner rewards.
Get started with a free interactive demo.
FAQs
A D-U-N-S number is not legally required for most businesses, but it is often required in practice. Many lenders, vendors, and large organizations will not move forward without one because it is their standard way to verify a business and review its credit profile.
If you plan to build business credit, apply for financing, or work with established partners, having a D-U-N-S number in place helps avoid delays.
An LLC does not legally need a D-U-N-S number, but it is strongly recommended. Applying early allows your LLC to establish a business credit profile that is separate from your personal credit, which supports the liability protection the LLC structure is meant to provide.
Most LLCs apply for a D-U-N-S number shortly after receiving an EIN.
A D-U-N-S number is no longer required for federal government contracts. Federal agencies transitioned to the Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) in 2022.
However, many state and local governments, as well as private contractors and subcontractors, still require a D-U-N-S number as part of their procurement or vendor registration processes.
D-U-N-S numbers are not being phased out. While they are no longer used for federal contracting, they remain widely used for business credit reporting, vendor verification, and many non-federal procurement processes.
Dun & Bradstreet continues to issue new D-U-N-S numbers and maintain business profiles globally.
Yes. A business can have multiple D-U-N-S numbers if it operates in more than one physical location. Each distinct business address receives its own number so creditors and partners can clearly identify which location they are evaluating.
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