Is checking my business credit score free?

It depends on the bureau. Dun & Bradstreet offers free access to basic business credit information, and obtaining a D-U-N-S Number is free. Experian and Equifax offer paid report options, though some third-party platforms may provide limited free access. Unlike personal credit, there is no federal law requiring bureaus to provide free annual business credit reports.

Does my business automatically have a credit score?

Not necessarily. Your business needs to have accounts or trade lines that report to the credit bureaus. If you have never opened credit in your business's name or obtained a D-U-N-S Number, you may not have a business credit profile at all. You may need to take deliberate steps to establish one.

What is a good business credit score?

Scoring scales vary by bureau. For the Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX Score, 80 or above out of 100 is generally considered strong. For Experian's Intelliscore Plus, higher scores on the 1 to 100 scale indicate lower risk. There is no single universal threshold, but consistent on-time payment history is the most important factor across all bureaus.

How do I get a D-U-N-S Number to check my Dun & Bradstreet score?

Visit the Dun & Bradstreet website and search for your business. If no profile exists, you can request a D-U-N-S Number for free. You will need to provide basic business details such as your legal business name, address, and phone number. Processing typically takes a few business days but can take up to 30 days.

Does checking my business credit score hurt my score?

Checking your own business credit report does not negatively affect your score. This is similar to how pulling your own personal credit is considered a soft inquiry. However, when a lender or vendor pulls your business credit as part of a formal application, it may be recorded as an inquiry on your report.

How is a business credit score different from a personal credit score?

Business credit scores are tied to your company, not to you personally. They use different scoring scales, are based on trade payment data and public business records, and are not governed by the same federal laws as personal credit reports. Many lenders check both your personal and business credit when evaluating a financing application.

Can I check my business credit score if I have a sole proprietorship?

Yes, but it depends on whether you have established a separate business credit profile. Sole proprietors can obtain a D-U-N-S Number and open trade accounts in their business name. If your business activity has only been reported under your personal Social Security Number, you may not have a separate business credit file. Obtaining an EIN and opening dedicated business accounts can help you start building one.

How to Check Your Business Credit Score (Step by Step)

Your business credit score plays a direct role in whether you qualify for financing, what terms vendors offer you, and how much you pay for insurance. Yet many small business owners have never checked their business credit, and some do not even know it exists as a separate score from their personal credit.

Business credit scores are maintained by three major bureaus: Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax. Each bureau uses its own scoring model and data sources. Understanding how to pull your reports, read the results, and correct any errors puts you in a stronger position before you apply for a loan, negotiate supplier terms, or renew a policy.

This guide walks you through the entire process, step by step.

What Is a Business Credit Score?

A business credit score is a numerical rating that reflects your company's creditworthiness. It tells lenders, suppliers, and insurers how reliably your business pays its obligations.

Bureaus calculate the score based on several factors:

Payment history with vendors, suppliers, and creditors
Public records such as liens, judgments, and bankruptcy filings
Company size and age, including revenue and number of employees
Industry risk based on the sector your business operates in
Credit utilization, or how much of your available credit you are using

Unlike personal credit scores, which generally follow a 300 to 850 scale, business credit scores vary by bureau. Some use a 1 to 100 range, while others use different scales entirely.

One important point: your business does not automatically have a credit score. If you have never opened trade accounts that report to the bureaus, or if you have not registered for a D-U-N-S Number, you may not have a profile at all. For guidance on establishing one, read our post on how to build business credit from scratch.

Why Your Business Credit Score Matters

Your business credit score affects more financial decisions than you might expect.

Loan and line of credit applications. Most lenders review your business credit alongside your personal credit when evaluating an application. A strong business credit profile can improve your chances of qualifying and may influence the terms you receive. Learn more about the credit score needed for a business loan or the credit score for a business line of credit.

Vendor and supplier terms. Suppliers often check business credit before offering net-30 or net-60 payment terms. A weak score could mean you need to pay upfront instead of on terms.

Insurance premiums. Some commercial insurance carriers factor business credit into their underwriting. A poor score may lead to higher premiums.

Lease agreements. Landlords and equipment lessors may review your business credit before approving a commercial lease.

In short, your business credit score touches nearly every financial relationship your company has.

The Three Major Business Credit Bureaus

Three bureaus dominate business credit reporting in the United States. Each collects data from different sources and uses its own scoring model. Because of this, your scores may vary from one bureau to the next. It is worth checking all three to get a complete picture.

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B PAYDEX Score)

Dun & Bradstreet is the most widely recognized business credit bureau. Their primary score is the PAYDEX Score, which ranges from 1 to 100.

The PAYDEX Score measures how promptly your business pays its vendors and suppliers. A score of 80 or above is generally considered strong, indicating that you pay on time or early. Scores below 50 suggest a pattern of late payments.

To have a D&B profile, your business needs a D-U-N-S Number. This is a unique nine-digit identifier assigned by Dun & Bradstreet. You can request one for free through the D&B website. The process typically takes a few business days, though it can sometimes take up to 30 days.

Once you have a D-U-N-S Number, you can view your business credit profile through D&B's online portal. They offer both free access to basic information and paid plans for more detailed reports and monitoring.

Experian Business Credit

Experian offers several business credit scores. Their most commonly referenced score is the Intelliscore Plus, which also runs on a 1 to 100 scale. A higher score indicates lower credit risk.

Experian pulls data from trade payment records, public filings (such as liens and judgments), and company demographic information including business age and industry classification.

You can access your Experian business credit report through Experian's business credit website. They offer a one-time report purchase as well as ongoing monitoring subscriptions. Some third-party services also provide access to Experian business credit data.

Equifax Business Credit

Equifax provides several business credit scores, including a Payment Index and a Credit Risk Score. The Payment Index tracks your payment behavior over a rolling 12-month period on a scale of 0 to 100. Their Credit Risk Score assesses the likelihood of severe delinquency.

Equifax focuses heavily on payment trends, financial data, and public records. They gather information from trade creditors, collection agencies, and public filings.

You can request your Equifax business credit report through their business credit portal. Like the other bureaus, they offer both one-time reports and monitoring options.

Step-by-Step: How to Check Your Business Credit Score

Here is a straightforward process to pull your business credit reports from all three bureaus.

Get your D-U-N-S Number. Visit the Dun & Bradstreet website and search for your business. If you do not already have a D-U-N-S Number, request one. This is free and is required to access your D&B credit profile.
Visit each bureau's website and request your report. Go to the business credit portals for Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax. You will need to verify your business identity, which typically involves providing your business name, address, EIN, and contact information. Some bureaus charge a fee for full reports.
Review each report for accuracy. Check that your company name, address, industry classification, and ownership details are correct. Then review the trade lines, payment history, and any public records listed.
Note any discrepancies or errors. Write down anything that looks inaccurate, whether it is a payment reported as late that you know was on time, a trade account you do not recognize, or outdated company information.
Set up monitoring or calendar reminders. Plan to check your business credit at least quarterly. Some bureaus offer automated monitoring that sends alerts when your report changes. If you prefer not to pay for monitoring, set a recurring reminder on your calendar.

How to Read Your Business Credit Report

Business credit reports typically include several sections. Here is what you will find and what matters most.

Company information. This includes your business name, address, phone number, industry classification, number of employees, and estimated revenue. Make sure all of this is accurate, because errors here can cause your report to be confused with another company.

Payment history and trade lines. This section shows your accounts with vendors, suppliers, and creditors. It details how much credit you have, your balances, and whether payments were made on time, late, or early. Lenders pay close attention to this section.

Public records. Liens, judgments, and bankruptcy filings appear here. These are significant negative marks and can substantially lower your score.

Credit utilization. Some reports show how much of your available credit you are currently using. Lower utilization generally reflects better on your creditworthiness.

Score summary. Each bureau presents its proprietary scores along with risk classifications. Review these alongside the detailed data to understand what is driving your score up or down.

Different lenders may pull from different bureaus, so inconsistencies between your reports can affect outcomes depending on which bureau a lender checks.

What to Do If You Find Errors

Errors on business credit reports are not uncommon. If you find inaccurate information, take these steps:

Gather documentation. Collect invoices, payment receipts, bank statements, or any other records that support your dispute.
File a dispute with the bureau. Each bureau has its own dispute process. Dun & Bradstreet, Experian, and Equifax all allow you to submit disputes online or by mail. Include your supporting documentation.
Follow up. Dispute resolution timelines vary. Some corrections take a few weeks, while others may take 30 to 60 days. Keep records of your communication and check back regularly.
Correct errors before applying for financing. If you are planning to apply for a loan or business line of credit, address any errors first. Applying with inaccurate negative information on your report can hurt your chances.

Note that business credit reports are not covered by the same federal laws that govern personal credit reports. The Fair Credit Reporting Act provisions that entitle consumers to free annual personal credit reports do not apply to business credit. Dispute rights may also differ, so review each bureau's specific policies.

How to Improve Your Business Credit Score

If your score is lower than you would like, here are practical steps to improve it.

Pay vendors and creditors on time or early. Payment history is the single biggest factor in most business credit scores. Paying before the due date can boost your PAYDEX Score in particular.
Open trade accounts that report to the bureaus. Not all vendors report payment data. Seek out suppliers and credit accounts that do, so your positive payment behavior gets reflected in your scores.
Keep credit utilization low. Avoid maxing out your credit lines. Using a smaller percentage of your available credit signals financial stability.
Separate personal and business finances. Use a dedicated business bank account, business credit cards, and an EIN for all business transactions. This helps build a distinct business credit profile.
Monitor your reports regularly. Catching errors or negative items early gives you time to address them. Quarterly reviews are a good habit.

For a deeper look at building your business credit profile, read our small business credit score guide.

How Often Should You Check Your Business Credit?

Plan to check your business credit at least once per quarter. You should also pull your reports before any of the following:

Applying for a loan or line of credit
Negotiating vendor payment terms
Renewing commercial insurance policies
Signing a commercial lease

Keep in mind that, unlike personal credit, there is no federal law guaranteeing you free access to your business credit reports once per year. Some bureaus offer limited free access, but full reports and ongoing monitoring typically require payment.

Regular monitoring helps you catch issues early and track your progress as you work to strengthen your score.

Next Steps

Now that you know how to check your business credit score, pull your reports from all three bureaus and review them for accuracy. Correct any errors, and start building positive payment history if your profile is thin.

Once you have a clear picture of your business credit standing, you may be ready to explore financing options. BreadRoute connects small business owners with lenders across a range of products, from SBA loans to lines of credit and equipment financing.

Browse Lenders to see what options may be available for your business. You can also learn more about how to get approved for a small business loan to prepare a strong application.

This article provides general information and should not be considered financial or insurance advice. Business credit scores, report access, and dispute processes vary by bureau. BreadRoute is a financing and insurance marketplace and does not provide credit scores or credit reports.