Where to find your business credit score
Your business credit score lives with three main credit bureaus: Equifax, Experian, and Dun & Bradstreet. Unlike personal credit, which is reported to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion, business credit is tracked separately by these agencies. You will need to contact each bureau directly to see your score, because they do not all report the same information and your scores may differ between them.
Dun & Bradstreet is the largest business credit reporting agency and the one most lenders check first. Your score there is called a PAYDEX score and ranges from 0 to 100. Equifax and Experian also maintain business credit files and assign their own scores. Each bureau charges a fee to view your full report and score, though some offer free limited previews.
You can also request your business credit report for free once per year from each bureau under the Fair Credit Reporting Act, though the free version may not include your numerical score — only the underlying data that makes up that score.
Key Takeaways
- Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, and Experian each maintain separate business credit files and assign different scores to your company.
- You can request a free business credit report once per year from each bureau, though the free version typically does not include your numerical score.
- Dun & Bradstreet's PAYDEX score ranges from 0 to 100 and is the score most lenders review when you seek a business loan.
- Your business credit score depends on payment history, company age, credit inquiries, and public records like liens or judgments.
- Checking your score does not hurt your business credit, but a lender pulling your report for a loan decision will create a hard inquiry that may lower your score slightly.
How to get your Dun & Bradstreet score
Visit dnb.com and search for your company by name or DUNS number. If your business has a DUNS number (a nine-digit identifier assigned by Dun & Bradstreet), you can look up your file directly. If you do not have one yet, you can request one free through their website, though it takes a few days to process.
Once you locate your file, Dun & Bradstreet offers a free preview that shows basic information but not your PAYDEX score. To see your actual score and detailed report, you will pay a one-time fee that varies depending on what information you want. Many small business owners pay between $50 and $100 for a basic score report.
You can also call Dun & Bradstreet at 1-800-234-3867 to request your score by phone, though they will still direct you to their website or a subscription service for the full details.
How to check Equifax and Experian business scores
Equifax business credit reports are available through equifax.com/business. Search for your company and you will see options to view your report. Like Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax offers a free preview of your file but charges a fee to see your full score and detailed payment history. The cost is typically similar to Dun & Bradstreet — in the $50 to $100 range for a single report.
Experian's business credit information is found at experian.com/business. Their process is the same: free preview available, full score and report require payment. Experian also offers subscription services if you want to monitor your score over time, which some business owners choose if they are actively seeking financing.
Because each bureau may have different information about your company, it is worth checking all three if you are about to apply for a loan. A lender will typically pull from one or more of these bureaus, and knowing what they will see helps you prepare.
What information makes up your business credit score
Business credit scores are built from payment history, company age, credit inquiries, and public records. Payment history — whether you pay bills on time — is the largest factor. The longer your business has been operating, the higher your score tends to be. Recent credit inquiries (when lenders pull your report) lower your score slightly, and any liens, judgments, or bankruptcy filings will significantly damage it.
Unlike personal credit, business credit does not include personal financial information about the owner. However, if your business is new or has little credit history, lenders often ask for your personal credit score as well. The two are separate, but both may matter when you seek financing.
Your business credit score can change month to month as new payment information is reported by vendors, lenders, and suppliers. Checking your own score does not hurt it — only hard inquiries from lenders or creditors do.
Free ways to monitor your business credit
You can request a free business credit report once per year from Dun & Bradstreet, Equifax, and Experian by visiting annualcreditreport.com or contacting each bureau directly. This free report shows the data they have on file but may not include your numerical score. Reading the report itself is useful because it shows what information is being reported and whether any of it is wrong.
Some business credit bureaus and financial institutions offer free score monitoring as a benefit to customers. If you have a business bank account or line of credit, ask your bank whether they provide free access to your business credit score. Some do as a service to their business customers.
If you plan to apply for a loan or line of credit soon, it is worth paying for one full report from at least Dun & Bradstreet so you know what lenders will see. Catching errors or outdated information before a lender pulls your report gives you time to dispute them.
Disputing errors on your business credit report
If you find incorrect information on your business credit report — a payment marked late that you made on time, an account you do not recognize, or a company name spelled wrong — you can dispute it with the bureau. Each bureau has a dispute process on their website. You will need to provide documentation showing the information is wrong, such as a bank statement or payment confirmation.
The bureau must investigate your dispute within 30 days and contact you with the result. If they find the information is indeed wrong, they will correct it and send you an updated report. Correcting errors can raise your score, sometimes significantly if the error was a late payment or judgment.
Keep copies of all documentation you send with your dispute. If the bureau does not correct the error, you can file a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), which oversees credit reporting practices for both personal and business credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does checking my own business credit score hurt it?
No. When you check your own score, it is called a soft inquiry and does not affect your credit. Only hard inquiries — when a lender or creditor pulls your report to make a lending decision — lower your score slightly. You can check your score as often as you want without penalty.
What is a good business credit score?
For Dun & Bradstreet's PAYDEX score, 80 or above is considered good and makes it easier to get loans and favorable terms. Scores below 50 signal payment problems. Equifax and Experian use different scoring ranges, so a "good" score varies by bureau. When you pull your report, the bureau will show you what range your score falls in.
Can I check my business credit score if my company is brand new?
Yes, but you may not have a score yet. New businesses typically need six months to a year of credit history before the bureaus assign a numerical score. You can still request your report to see what information they have on file. Once you open a business line of credit or have vendors report payment history, your score will begin to build.
Do I need to check all three bureaus?
It depends on who you are borrowing from. Most lenders check Dun & Bradstreet first, but some also pull from Equifax or Experian. If you are applying for a specific loan, ask the lender which bureau they use. If you want a complete picture before applying anywhere, checking all three takes more time and money but shows you what different lenders might see.
What if my business credit score is low?
Low scores usually come from late payments, unpaid accounts, or public records like liens. You can improve your score by paying all bills on time going forward, paying down existing debt, and disputing any errors on your report. Score improvement takes time — typically several months of on-time payments before you see meaningful change.