Where to find your business credit score
Your business credit score lives with the three major business credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and Dun & Bradstreet. Unlike personal credit, which comes from one of three consumer bureaus, business credit is tracked separately by each of these companies, and they do not share data with each other. This means your score can differ across all three.
To see your score, you go directly to each bureau's website. Equifax Business has a portal where you can pull your score and report. Experian Business Credit offers a similar service. Dun & Bradstreet issues a score called a PAYDEX score, which measures how you pay vendors and suppliers rather than traditional credit history — it ranges from 0 to 100 instead of the 300–850 scale used by the other two.
Each bureau charges a fee to view your full report and score, though some offer a free preview or limited information. The cost typically ranges from $30 to $100 per report, depending on the bureau and what details you want to see.
Key Takeaways
- Business credit scores come from Equifax, Experian, and Dun & Bradstreet, and each maintains a separate score for your business.
- You check your score by visiting each bureau's website directly — there is no single place to see all three at once.
- Dun & Bradstreet uses a PAYDEX score (0–100) based on payment history with vendors, while Equifax and Experian use traditional credit scoring.
- Most bureaus charge a fee to view your full report, though some offer limited free previews of your information.
- Your business needs an EIN and an established payment history before a score will appear at all.
What you need before checking your score
Before you can see a business credit score, your business must exist in the bureaus' records. This typically requires an Employer Identification Number (EIN), which you get from the IRS. A sole proprietorship can use a personal Social Security number instead, but most businesses file for an EIN.
The bureaus build your score based on payment history — how you pay bills, loans, and vendor invoices. If your business is brand new and has no payment history yet, the bureaus may not have assigned you a score. Equifax and Experian usually begin tracking once you have a few months of credit activity. Dun & Bradstreet can start building a PAYDEX score once you have paid vendors on time or late.
You will also need to know your business legal name and EIN when you log in to check your score. Some bureaus ask for additional verification, such as your business address or phone number.
Steps to check your score at each bureau
Equifax Business: Go to equifax.com/business. Click on the option to check your business credit report or score. Enter your business name and EIN. You can choose to pay for a full report or view a limited preview. Payment is usually by credit card, and you receive your report when ready online.
Experian Business: Visit experian.com/business. Select the option for a business credit report. Enter your business information and EIN. Like Equifax, Experian offers both paid full reports and limited free information. You can read or view your report right away.
Dun & Bradstreet: Go to dnb.com. Search for your business by name or DUNS number (a nine-digit identifier Dun & Bradstreet assigns). If you do not have a DUNS number yet, you can request one for free on their site. Once you find your business, you can view your PAYDEX score and payment history. A full report requires payment.
What your business credit report shows
Your business credit report lists the accounts and loans tied to your EIN, payment history on each one, any late payments or defaults, and public records like liens or judgments. The report also shows who has looked at your credit — called inquiries — and whether those were hard inquiries (which can lower your score slightly) or soft inquiries (which do not affect it).
The three bureaus may have different information because creditors and vendors do not report to all three. A bank loan might appear on your Equifax report but not Experian. A vendor you pay might report only to Dun & Bradstreet. This is why checking all three gives you the most complete picture of how your business looks to lenders and suppliers.
Errors and disputes on your business credit report
If you spot an error — a late payment marked as on-time, an account that is not yours, or a balance that is wrong — you can dispute it with the bureau. Each bureau has a dispute process on its website. You typically submit a written challenge explaining what is wrong, and the bureau investigates with the creditor or vendor who reported the information.
The investigation usually takes 30 to 45 days. If the bureau confirms the error, they remove or correct the information and send you an updated report. If the creditor confirms the information is correct, the dispute is closed and the item stays on your report. Keep records of your dispute and the bureau's response in case you need to follow up.
How often to check your business credit score
Most business owners check their score once or twice a year, or before explore for a loan or line of credit. Checking your own score does not hurt it — these are soft inquiries. However, when a lender or vendor checks your score as part of a credit decision, that is a hard inquiry and can lower your score slightly.
If you are actively working to improve your score — paying down debt, fixing errors, or building payment history — checking every few months can help you track progress. Otherwise, an annual check is enough to catch errors and stay aware of how lenders see your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to check all three bureaus or just one?
Checking all three gives you the most complete picture because creditors report to different bureaus. A lender may pull from only one or two, but you will not know which ones in advance. Checking all three takes more time and money upfront but prevents surprises when you explore for credit.
What if my business does not have a score yet?
New businesses often have no score for the first few months. This is normal. Once you have a few months of payment history — paying invoices, loans, or credit accounts on time — the bureaus will begin building your score. You can still check your report to see what information they have on file.
Can I get my business credit report for free?
The bureaus do not offer completely free full reports like the consumer credit bureaus do. However, some offer limited previews or summaries at no cost. Equifax and Experian sometimes provide free access through business banking platforms or small business resources. Dun & Bradstreet allows you to create a free account and view basic information, though the full PAYDEX score requires payment.
How long does it take to see changes after I pay off a debt?
Creditors typically report payment activity to the bureaus monthly, so changes can take 30 to 60 days to show up on your report. Your score may not update when ready after a payment. If you are preparing for a loan process, plan ahead and pay down debt several months in advance.
What is the difference between a PAYDEX score and other business credit scores?
A PAYDEX score measures only how you pay vendors and suppliers — it ignores traditional loans and credit accounts. Equifax and Experian scores look at the full picture of credit use and payment history. A high PAYDEX score means you pay vendors reliably, while a high Equifax or Experian score shows you manage credit responsibly overall.