Guide
NAICS Code LookupFind Your Code by Company Name or Industry
Every federal contract solicitation is assigned a NAICS code that determines who can bid and what size standard applies. Use the free lookup tool below to find the right NAICS code for your business — essential for SAM.gov registration and winning government contracts.
NAICS Code Search Tool
What are NAICS codes?
NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) is the standard framework used by the United States, Canada, and Mexico to classify businesses by their primary economic activity. The system uses a 6-digit hierarchical code structure that groups similar businesses together for statistical and regulatory purposes.
For government contractors, NAICS codes are critical. Every federal solicitation is tagged with a NAICS code that determines the applicable small business size standard — the revenue or employee threshold that decides whether your business qualifies as "small" for that contract. Contracting officers also search SAM.gov by NAICS code to find eligible vendors, so having the right codes on your registration directly affects which opportunities you see.
The current version is NAICS 2022, maintained by the U.S. Census Bureau. It contains over 1,000 unique 6-digit codes organized into 20 sectors covering every industry from agriculture to information technology.
How NAICS codes are structured
Sector
54 — Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Subsector
541 — Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Industry Group
5415 — Computer Systems Design and Related Services
Industry
54151 — Computer Systems Design and Related Services
National Industry
541512 — Computer Systems Design Services
How to find your NAICS code
Identify Your Primary Business Activity
Think about what your business does most of the time, not everything it could do. NAICS codes classify establishments by their primary activity. If you run a construction company that also does consulting, your primary NAICS code should reflect whichever activity generates the most revenue.
Search by Keyword or Description
Use the lookup tool above to search for your industry by keyword. Try multiple variations — 'software development' vs 'computer programming' vs 'IT services' may return different codes. The Census Bureau groups activities by what an establishment does, not what it calls itself.
Check the Code Hierarchy
NAICS codes are hierarchical: 2-digit (sector) → 3-digit (subsector) → 4-digit (industry group) → 5-digit (industry) → 6-digit (national). For government contracting, you need the full 6-digit code. A broader code (fewer digits) covers more activities but is less specific for contract matching.
Verify Against Competitors
Search for companies similar to yours on SAM.gov and note their NAICS codes. If your direct competitors all use 541512 (Computer Systems Design), that is likely your correct code too. GovScout lets you search contract awards by NAICS code to see who is winning work under each classification.
Register Multiple Codes on SAM.gov
You can list multiple NAICS codes on your SAM.gov registration — one primary and unlimited secondary codes. Your primary code determines your size standard (revenue or employee threshold). Choose secondary codes for any other work you are qualified to perform, as contracting officers search by NAICS code to find vendors.
Top NAICS codes for government contractors
These are among the most commonly used NAICS codes in federal contracting, based on contract award volume.
| Code | Industry | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 541512 | Computer Systems Design | Custom computer programming and systems integration |
| 236220 | Commercial Building Construction | New construction of commercial and institutional buildings |
| 541330 | Engineering Services | Civil, mechanical, electrical, and environmental engineering |
| 541611 | Management Consulting | Administrative and general management consulting |
| 561210 | Facilities Support Services | Base maintenance, janitorial, and facility management |
| 541519 | Other Computer Services | IT infrastructure, hosting, and data processing |
| 541990 | Professional Services | Scientific and technical consulting not elsewhere classified |
| 236210 | Industrial Building Construction | New construction of manufacturing and warehouse facilities |
| 561612 | Security Guards | Guard and patrol services for buildings and facilities |
| 541715 | R&D (Physical Sciences) | Research and development in physical, engineering, and life sciences |
| 238220 | Plumbing & HVAC | Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors |
| 488190 | Support Activities for Transport | Airport operations, port services, and logistics support |
Know your NAICS code? Find contracts in your industry
Search federal contract awards by NAICS code to see who is winning in your industry, how much they are getting, and where the opportunities are. Save searches to get email alerts on new awards.
Search contracts freeSee GovScout Pro featuresRelated guides
SAM.gov Registration Guide
Step-by-step guide to registering your business — NAICS codes are required
Capability Statement Template
Free template — your NAICS codes belong in the core competencies section
How to Find Government Contracts
From registration to winning bids — search by your NAICS code
Small Business Set-Asides
Size standards are determined by your primary NAICS code
Frequently asked questions
What is a NAICS code?
NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) is the standard used by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to classify businesses by industry. Each business is assigned a 6-digit code based on its primary activity. NAICS codes are used for federal contracting, census data, tax reporting, and economic analysis. The system is updated every 5 years, with the current version being NAICS 2022.
How do I look up my NAICS code by company name?
Search for your company on SAM.gov — if your business is registered, your NAICS codes are listed in your entity profile. If you are not yet registered, use the lookup tool above to search by keyword describing your business activity. You can also check what NAICS codes your competitors use by searching their names on SAM.gov or searching contract awards on GovScout.
Can a business have more than one NAICS code?
Yes. On SAM.gov, you select one primary NAICS code and can add unlimited secondary codes. Your primary code determines your SBA size standard — the revenue or employee threshold that defines whether you qualify as a small business for that industry. Secondary codes let contracting officers find you when searching for vendors in related industries.
What is the difference between NAICS and SIC codes?
NAICS replaced the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system in 1997. SIC codes are 4 digits; NAICS codes are 6 digits and more granular. Some government agencies and financial institutions still reference SIC codes, but federal contracting uses NAICS exclusively. The Census Bureau provides a NAICS-to-SIC crosswalk if you need to convert between systems.
How do NAICS codes affect government contracting?
Every federal solicitation is assigned a NAICS code that determines which businesses can bid and what size standard applies. If a solicitation uses NAICS 541512 (Computer Systems Design), the small business size standard is $34 million in average annual revenue. Contracting officers search SAM.gov by NAICS code to find eligible vendors, so having the right codes on your registration directly affects which opportunities you see.
How often are NAICS codes updated?
NAICS codes are revised every 5 years by the U.S. Census Bureau, Statistics Canada, and Mexico's INEGI. The current version is NAICS 2022. Updates add new industries (like cannabis-related codes added in 2022), retire obsolete ones, and reclassify activities as industries evolve. Check the Census Bureau website for the latest revision and any codes that may have changed since your last SAM.gov registration.
What if I choose the wrong NAICS code?
Choosing the wrong primary NAICS code can affect your small business size determination — you might qualify as small under one code but not another. It can also mean you miss contract opportunities because contracting officers search by code. You can update your NAICS codes on SAM.gov at any time during your annual renewal or by editing your registration. If you are unsure, look at what codes your direct competitors use.