You can check your business credit score through the three major bureaus — Experian, Dun & Bradstreet, and Equifax — either directly on their websites or through multi-bureau platforms that show all scores in one place. Some options are free; others require a paid plan.
What Is a Business Credit Score?
A business credit score is a numerical rating that tells lenders, vendors, and insurers how reliably your business pays its bills. Think of it as your company's financial reputation — a number that third parties use to decide whether to extend credit, and on what terms.
What's often overlooked is that business credit scores aren't standardized. Each bureau uses its own model, its own score range, and its own data sources. A score from Experian and a score from Dun & Bradstreet aren't directly comparable — they're measuring similar things but doing it differently.
How It Differs from a Personal Credit Score
The mechanics look similar on the surface, but there are some important differences in practice.
Personal credit scores — FICO or VantageScore — require your consent before anyone can pull them. Business credit scores don't. Any company, individual, or government agency can look up your business credit without notifying you. That alone makes monitoring your score more important than many business owners realize.
Personal scores also run on a 300–850 range. Business scores use entirely different ranges depending on the bureau — which adds confusion, especially for first-time business owners who assume the scales are the same.
Does Every Business Have a Credit Score?
No — and this trips people up. A new business may not have a score at all until it builds a track record of payments that get reported to the bureaus.
Some business types may never generate certain scores. In practice, most small businesses need at least a few months of reported payment activity before a meaningful score is calculated.
Can Someone Check Your Business Credit Score Without Your Permission?
Yes. Unlike consumer credit, business credit reports are considered public commercial information. According to Wikipedia's entry on business credit reports, business credit reports can be accessed by anyone without the permission of the business — a fundamental difference from consumer credit, where lender access requires your explicit consent.
Lenders, suppliers, potential partners, and competitors can all access your business credit data without asking. This is worth knowing before you start applying for financing — your score is already visible to others.
How to Check Your Business Credit Score
Check Your Own Score — Free and Paid Options
You have two main routes: go directly to each bureau, or use a platform that aggregates scores from multiple bureaus.
Going directly to bureaus:
- Experian offers business credit reports through its Business Credit Advantage program. Paid plans give you full access to your Intelliscore Plus and Financial Stability Risk rating, along with monitoring alerts.
- Dun & Bradstreet requires you to claim your business's D-U-N-S Number first (free), then access your PAYDEX score through their paid CreditSignal or Credit Monitor products.
- Equifax provides business credit reports through its Small Business portal, typically at a per-report fee.
Free options — what you actually get: Some platforms offer free access to business credit summaries — a score range and a letter grade rather than the exact score. Nav, for example, provides free summaries from Experian, Equifax, and D&B in one dashboard. For the full numerical score and detailed report, a paid subscription is generally required.
In practice, most business owners find that free summaries are enough to spot problems and track general trends. Full reports become more useful when you're preparing to apply for a loan or disputing an error.
Free Options Available
- Nav (free tier): Score summaries from all 3 bureaus — grade and range, not exact number
- D&B CreditSignal (free): Limited PAYDEX score visibility with basic alerts
- Bank of America Business Advantage 360: Free D&B score access for eligible BofA business clients
What Paid Plans Add
- Exact numerical scores
- Full credit report detail — tradelines, public records, payment history
- Monitoring alerts for changes or suspicious activity
- Score improvement tools and dispute support
How to Check Another Business's Credit Score
This is something competitors largely ignore — but it's a legitimate and common use case. If you're vetting a vendor, considering a new client, or assessing a potential partner, you can pull their business credit report.
All three major bureaus sell business credit reports on other companies. Experian, D&B, and Equifax each offer one-time report purchases. The process is straightforward: search by business name, confirm the company, and pay for the report. No permission from the business is required.
In practice, teams that extend trade credit or work on net-30 payment terms commonly run credit checks on new customers before agreeing to terms. It's standard risk management, not unusual or invasive.
Can Sole Proprietors Have a Separate Business Credit Score?
This is a question that rarely gets a straight answer. In most cases, sole proprietors do not build a separate business credit profile — because the business is not legally distinct from the owner. Without a separate legal entity (LLC, corporation, etc.), an EIN, and dedicated business accounts, most bureaus won't generate a standalone business credit file.
That said, some bureaus may still pull a file under the business name. But for a meaningful, lender-ready business credit profile, a sole proprietor typically needs to form a legal business entity first.
Business Credit Score Ranges by Bureau
Each bureau uses a different score range and a different methodology. Here's a clear side-by-side breakdown:
|
Bureau |
Score Name |
Score Range |
What It Measures |
Considered Good |
|
Experian |
Intelliscore Plus |
1–100 |
Risk of severe delinquency in next 12 months |
76–100 (Low Risk) |
|
Dun & Bradstreet |
PAYDEX |
1–100 |
Payment timeliness with vendors/suppliers |
80+ (On time); 100 (Early payment) |
|
Equifax |
Business Credit Risk Score |
101–992 |
Likelihood of severe delinquency |
700+ generally favorable |
|
FICO |
SBSS (Small Business Scoring Service) |
0–300 |
Blended business + personal credit risk |
165+ (SBA pre-screen minimum as of 2025) |
Note: Score thresholds vary by lender and are subject to change. These ranges reflect general industry practice, not universal approval guarantees.
Experian Intelliscore Plus (1–100)
Higher is better. A score of 76–100 is considered low risk. Over 800 variables feed into this score — payment history, tradeline data, public filings, new account activity, and key financial ratios.
Because so many variables are involved, a single late payment doesn't tank the score overnight, but a pattern of late payments will show up meaningfully.
D&B PAYDEX Score (1–100)
The PAYDEX score is almost entirely payment-focused. It measures how promptly your business pays its vendors and suppliers, based on data those vendors report to D&B. A score of 80 means you pay on time. Getting to 100 requires paying early.
That distinction matters more than most people expect — if a perfect PAYDEX score is your goal, on-time isn't enough.
To even generate a PAYDEX score, you typically need at least three open tradelines reporting to D&B.
Equifax Business Credit Score
Equifax runs on a much wider scale — 101 to 992 — which often surprises people expecting a 1–100 range. The score reflects the probability of serious delinquency. Equifax also offers a separate Business Failure Score that predicts the risk of a business closing within 12 months. Lenders who use Equifax often look at both.
FICO Small Business Scoring Service — SBSS (0–300)
The FICO SBSS is different from the other three because it's a blended score — it incorporates both business credit data and the owner's personal credit history. That's worth understanding clearly: your personal credit score directly affects your SBSS, especially if your business is newer and has limited credit history of its own.
The SBA uses the SBSS to pre-screen loan applications. The minimum passing score was raised to 165 in 2025 — up from the previous threshold of 155 — making it a harder bar to clear than many older guides suggest.
As reported by CNBC Select, business credit scores vary significantly by bureau and scoring model, and lenders who use SBSS typically apply their own internal minimums on top of the SBA floor. This score remains one of the most consequential for small businesses seeking government-backed financing.
How Personal Credit Feeds Into the FICO SBSS Score
Because the SBSS blends personal and business data, improving your personal credit can directly improve your SBSS — particularly in the early stages when your business credit file is thin.
In practice, new business owners often find that their personal credit carries more weight in lending decisions than they expected, especially in the first two to three years of operation.
What Factors Affect Your Business Credit Score?
Payment History
Consistently the most heavily weighted factor across all bureaus. Paying late — even occasionally — creates a negative record that vendors and lenders can see. What's worth noting is that early payment isn't just "better than late" — for PAYDEX, it's the only way to reach a top score.
Age of Credit History
Older credit relationships signal stability. A business with five years of reported payment history looks more reliable than one with six months, even if both have identical payment records. This is why starting to build business credit early — before you actually need a loan — tends to pay off.
Debt Usage and Outstanding Balances
Carrying high balances relative to credit limits signals risk. This is similar to personal credit utilization, though the exact weighting varies by bureau. Keeping credit utilization below 30% is a widely recommended starting point, though individual lender criteria differ.
Company Size and Industry Risk
Some industries are statistically considered higher risk than others — restaurants, construction, and retail, for instance, tend to carry higher baseline risk ratings regardless of individual payment behavior. This is worth knowing if you're in one of those sectors and wondering why your score feels stubbornly low despite clean payments.
Public Records — Liens, Judgments, Bankruptcies
Tax liens, court judgments, and bankruptcies appear on business credit reports and significantly damage scores. Unlike personal credit, where negative marks have defined removal timelines, business credit report rules vary by bureau. Resolving a lien doesn't automatically remove it from the report — a follow-up dispute may be needed.
How to Establish Business Credit from Scratch
Separate Business and Personal Finances
The starting point isn't opening a credit card — it's legal separation. A business that shares finances with its owner can't build a standalone credit profile. Open a dedicated business bank account and run all business expenses through it. This creates the financial paper trail bureaus need.
Register Your Business and Obtain an EIN
An Employer Identification Number (EIN) from the IRS is the business equivalent of a Social Security Number. Most bureaus use EINs to anchor business credit files. Registering your business as an LLC or corporation (rather than operating as a sole proprietor) is typically the first structural step. Both registration and EIN issuance are free through official government channels.
Two authority resources worth bookmarking:
- SBA.gov — for business formation guidance and loan programs
- IRS EIN Application — to obtain a free EIN
Open a Business Bank Account and Business Credit Card
A business credit card that reports to the bureaus is one of the fastest ways to start building a payment history. Not all business credit cards report to business credit bureaus — some only report to personal credit bureaus — so it's worth confirming this before applying.
Work with Net-30 Vendors That Report to Credit Bureaus
This is one of the most underused credit-building strategies, and competitors barely mention it. Net-30 vendor accounts — where a supplier extends 30 days to pay — can report your payment activity to D&B, Experian, or Equifax, depending on the vendor. Paying these invoices early or on time builds a payment history even before you have a business credit card or loan.
Office supply companies, shipping providers, and certain wholesale suppliers commonly offer net-30 terms and report to bureaus. Starting with three to five such accounts is a practical way to generate the tradeline activity needed for a PAYDEX score.
How to Improve Your Business Credit Score
Pay on Time — or Early (Especially for PAYDEX)
The single most impactful change most businesses can make. For PAYDEX specifically, on-time payment caps your score at 80. Early payment is the only route to 90 or above. For Experian and Equifax, consistent on-time payments reduce your delinquency risk rating steadily over time.
Keep Credit Utilization Low
Maxing out business credit lines — even temporarily — can signal financial stress to bureaus. Where possible, keep utilization below 30% of available credit. Paying down balances before the statement date (rather than the due date) can help keep reported utilization lower.
Add Tradelines That Report to Bureaus
More accounts reporting positive payment history strengthens the credit file. This doesn't mean opening accounts you don't need — it means ensuring that accounts you already use (vendor accounts, business credit cards, equipment financing) are actually being reported. Some lenders and vendors don't report unless you ask.
Dispute Errors on Your Business Credit Report
Errors on business credit reports are more common than most people expect. Outdated information, misattributed accounts, or incorrectly reported late payments can quietly drag scores down.
How to File a Dispute with Each Major Bureau
- Experian: Submit disputes through the Experian Business dispute portal online. Include documentation — account statements, payment confirmations — to support the correction.
- Dun & Bradstreet: Use D&B's CreditBuilder or contact their customer service directly. D&B relies heavily on self-reported information, so proactively submitting updated business details is especially effective.
- Equifax: File disputes through Equifax's Small Business dispute process. Response times vary but typically fall within 30 days.
In practice, business owners who monitor their reports quarterly catch errors faster — and resolving them before a loan application is far easier than during one.
How to Monitor Your Business Credit Score
When to Check — Key Triggers
Checking your score once and forgetting it isn't a strategy. There are specific moments when checking matters most:
- Three to six months before applying for financing — enough time to correct errors or improve weak areas
- After any late payment — to understand the impact and start damage control
- Quarterly as a baseline practice — consistent monitoring catches inaccuracies early
- After a loan closes — to verify it's being reported correctly and see the impact on your profile
- When onboarding a new major vendor or client — they may be checking you; you should know what they'll see
What Business Credit Monitoring Services Do
Monitoring services watch your credit file and alert you when something changes — a new inquiry, a new account, a derogatory filing, or a score shift. This is more useful than it sounds. Business identity theft — where someone uses your EIN or business name to open fraudulent accounts — is a real risk, and early detection is far cheaper than late discovery.
Industry practice generally shows that businesses that monitor credit proactively are better positioned when financing opportunities arise, because they're not discovering problems at the worst possible moment.
Business Credit Fraud and How to Protect Against It
Business credit fraud typically involves someone using your business's identifying information to open credit accounts or access financing. Warning signs include unfamiliar accounts appearing on your report, inquiries you don't recognize, or score drops without any change in your payment behavior.
Some bureaus allow businesses to place a fraud alert on their credit file — similar to a personal credit freeze — which prompts additional verification before new accounts are opened. This option isn't universally available across all bureaus, but it's worth asking about directly if you suspect fraudulent activity.
Conclusion
Your business credit score affects borrowing costs, vendor terms, and how financial partners perceive your company. Checking it regularly — across all three major bureaus — is a straightforward habit that most businesses underinvest in until a loan application surfaces a problem.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good business credit score?
It depends on the bureau. For Experian Intelliscore Plus and D&B PAYDEX, aim for 80 or above. For FICO SBSS, the SBA's pre-screen minimum was raised to 165 in 2025. For Equifax, scores above 700 are generally viewed favorably by lenders.
Does checking my own business credit score hurt it?
No. Checking your own business credit score is a soft inquiry and does not affect your score with any bureau. This is true whether you check directly through the bureau or through a third-party platform.
How long does it take to build a business credit score from scratch?
Most businesses need at least three to six months of reported payment activity before a meaningful score is generated. Building a strong score typically takes one to two years of consistent, on-time payments across multiple tradelines.
What's the difference between a business credit report and a business credit score?
A business credit report is the full document — it includes payment history, tradelines, public records, and company details. A business credit score is a single number derived from that report. Lenders often review both, not just the score.
Can I check my business credit score for free?
Partially. Some platforms offer free score summaries — a grade and a score range — from major bureaus. Full numerical scores and detailed reports typically require a paid plan. D&B's CreditSignal and Nav's free tier are common starting points.
