Understanding NAICS and SIC Codes: Identifying Your Company's Primary Business Activity

NAICS Codes

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is a comprehensive classification system used across North America, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico. NAICS codes are designed to provide a detailed and standardized way to classify businesses based on their primary economic activity. Each NAICS code consists of six digits, offering a broad classification that can be further broken down into more specific categories.

SIC Codes

On the other hand, the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) codes offer a more specific short descriptor of the type of business a company is engaged in. SIC codes have been traditionally used in the United States and consist of four digits. While SIC codes are still in use, they have largely been replaced by NAICS codes for most modern applications.

Finding Your NAICS Code

To identify your company's NAICS code or to convert your SIC code to a NAICS code, you can visit the North American Industry Classification System Association's free code look-up page. This resource allows you to easily search for and find the appropriate code for your business, ensuring accurate classification and compliance with industry standards.