Where to find your business credit score
Your business credit score comes from three main reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and Dun & Bradstreet. Each one maintains separate records and may report different scores, so checking all three gives you the full picture of how lenders and suppliers see your business.
Dun & Bradstreet is the largest business credit reporting agency and issues a score called the PAYDEX score, which ranges from 0 to 100. Equifax and Experian also track business credit but use different scoring models. You can request your business credit report directly from each agency's website.
The process differs from checking personal credit. You will need your business tax ID (EIN) or business registration number, and you may need to verify that you own or manage the business before the agency releases the report to you.
Key Takeaways
- Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, and Experian each maintain separate business credit reports and scores, so you should check all three to see the complete picture.
- Dun & Bradstreet's PAYDEX score ranges from 0 to 100 and is based on how on-time you pay suppliers and vendors, not personal credit history.
- You can request your business credit report for free once per year from each agency, though some agencies charge for scores or detailed reports.
- Business credit reports include payment history with vendors, public records like liens or judgments, and company information like size and industry.
- Errors on your business credit report can lower your score, so reviewing the report regularly helps you catch and dispute inaccurate information.
How to get your report from Dun & Bradstreet
Dun & Bradstreet requires you to create an account on their website to view your business credit report. You will enter your business name, address, and EIN. The site will ask you to verify ownership by answering questions about your business or confirming details from public records.
Once verified, you can view your PAYDEX score and a summary of your payment history. Dun & Bradstreet charges for detailed reports and score monitoring, though you can see basic information without paying. The PAYDEX score updates monthly based on payment data reported by your vendors and suppliers.
If you do not yet have a Dun & Bradstreet number (DUNS number), you can request one for free through their website. Many lenders and vendors use this number to look up your business credit, so having one on file is useful even if you do not actively monitor it.
Checking Equifax and Experian business reports
Equifax and Experian both offer free annual business credit reports through their websites. You will need your business name, address, and EIN to request the report. The verification process is similar to Dun & Bradstreet: you answer security questions or confirm business details to prove you own or manage the company.
Equifax calls their business credit score the Business Intelliscore, while Experian uses the Intelliscore Plus. Both scores range from 0 to 100, but they weight payment history, public records, and company size differently than the PAYDEX score does. This means your score may be higher or lower depending on which agency you check.
Both agencies allow you to dispute errors on your report directly through their websites. If a vendor reported a late payment that you made on time, or if company information is outdated, you can file a dispute and the agency will investigate and correct the record if the dispute is valid.
What information appears on your business credit report
Your business credit report includes payment history with vendors, suppliers, and trade creditors over the past three to five years. It shows whether you paid on time, late, or not at all. It also lists any accounts that went to collections or were written off as bad debt.
Public records appear on the report as well: tax liens, judgments, and bankruptcy filings. These have a larger impact on your score than late payments because they signal serious financial trouble. A tax lien can stay on your report for years even after you pay it off, though the report will note that it has been satisfied.
The report also includes basic company information: your business structure (sole proprietor, LLC, corporation), number of employees, years in business, and industry. Lenders use this context to understand your business size and risk level. If this information is outdated—for example, if you have grown from five employees to fifty—you can request an update.
Why your business credit score matters
Lenders and suppliers use your business credit score to decide whether to extend credit and at what interest rate. A higher score makes it easier to get a business loan, line of credit, or trade credit from suppliers. A lower score may result in higher interest rates, smaller credit limits, or outright denial.
Your personal credit score does not automatically affect your business credit score, and vice versa. A business with poor personal credit from the owner can still build strong business credit by paying vendors on time. Conversely, an owner with excellent personal credit may have weak business credit if the business itself has a history of late payments.
Some vendors and suppliers check your business credit before deciding to work with you, especially if you are requesting net-30 or net-60 payment terms. A strong business credit score can help you negotiate better terms and lower prices because vendors see you as a lower-risk customer.
How often to check and what to do about errors
You should check your business credit report at least once a year, and more often if you are actively building credit or explore for loans. Checking regularly helps you catch errors early and dispute them before they damage your score for months or years.
If you find an error—a payment reported as late when you paid on time, a vendor account you do not recognize, or outdated company information—file a dispute with the agency that reported it. Provide documentation like payment receipts or bank statements to support your claim. The agency has 30 days to investigate and respond.
If a dispute is upheld, the agency will correct or remove the inaccurate information from your report. Your score may improve after the correction, though it can take a month or more for the change to appear across all three agencies. Keep copies of all dispute documentation for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a DUNS number to check my business credit score?
No, but having one makes it easier for lenders and vendors to find your credit report. You can check your business credit score without a DUNS number by going directly to Equifax, Experian, or Dun & Bradstreet and entering your business name and EIN. If you do not have a DUNS number yet, you can request one for free from Dun & Bradstreet.
Why is my business credit score different at each agency?
Each agency uses different data and different scoring formulas. Dun & Bradstreet's PAYDEX score focuses heavily on payment timeliness to vendors, while Equifax and Experian weight public records and company age differently. Vendors may also report payment history to only one or two of the three agencies, so the data available to each one varies.
How long does it take to build a business credit score?
You can start building business credit when ready by opening trade accounts with vendors and paying on time. However, most agencies need at least three to six months of payment history before they generate a score. Dun & Bradstreet may assign a DUNS number and begin tracking your business even sooner.
Can I improve my business credit score if I have a tax lien?
Yes, but it takes time. Paying off the tax lien is the first step; the lien will then be marked as satisfied on your report. Even after it is paid, the lien may remain on your report for several years. In the meantime, you can improve your score by paying all current vendors and suppliers on time and keeping other accounts in good standing.
What if my business is new and has no credit history yet?
New businesses typically do not have a business credit score until they have established trade accounts and payment history. You can start by opening accounts with vendors who report to the credit agencies, making purchases, and paying on time. Within a few months of consistent on-time payments, you should see a score appear on your reports.