Your business credit score is more than just a number. It’s a reflection of your company’s financial health and a key factor in securing funding, favorable payment terms, and growth opportunities. Just as personal credit scores influence your ability to get a loan or credit card, a business credit score helps banks, vendors, and investors evaluate the risk of working with your company.
A business credit score typically ranges across different scales depending on the reporting bureau, but in every case, it’s based on factors like payment history, outstanding debts, and public records. The stronger your score, the more likely you are to unlock financing and build trust with partners.
In this article, we’ll walk through exactly how to check your business credit score, what tools and bureaus to use, and why monitoring it regularly is essential to your company’s long-term success.
What is a Business Credit Score?
A business credit score is a numerical measure of your company’s creditworthiness. Similar to a personal credit score, it reflects how reliably your business manages debt and pays its obligations. Funders, suppliers, landlords, and even insurers use this score to evaluate the risk of extending credit or entering into agreements with your business.
Unlike personal credit, which typically ranges from 300 to 850, business credit scores vary depending on the reporting bureau. For example, Dun & Bradstreet’s PAYDEX score ranges from 0 to 100, while Experian’s Intelliscore Plus ranges from 1 to 100, and FICO’s Small Business Scoring Service (SBSS) goes from 0 to 300. The higher your score, the lower the risk you present to creditors.
Scores are calculated using factors like your payment history, the length of your credit profile, amounts owed, credit utilization, and any public records such as liens or bankruptcies. Together, these elements create a snapshot of your business’s financial reputation.
Why Your Business Credit Score Matters
Your business credit score plays a central role in shaping the financial opportunities available to your company. Funders rely on it to decide whether to approve loans, credit cards, or lines of credit and the interest rates and terms you receive often depend on how strong your score is. A healthy business credit profile can save your company thousands of dollars in financing costs over time.
Vendors and suppliers also consider your score when determining payment terms. With a strong history of reliability, you may qualify for longer repayment windows or larger credit lines, giving you more flexibility in managing cash flow. Beyond financing, landlords, insurers, and potential partners may review your business credit score as part of their due diligence, making it a key factor in building trust and credibility.
Ultimately, separating your business credit from your personal credit also helps reduce personal financial risk. By developing and maintaining a strong business credit score, you give your company more independence, stability, and room for growth.
Major Business Credit Bureaus
Unlike personal credit, which is mainly tracked by three bureaus, business credit scores are reported and calculated by several different agencies. Each one uses its own scoring model and provides unique insights into your company’s financial health. The most widely recognized bureaus include:
Dun & Bradstreet (D&B)
D&B issues the well-known PAYDEX® score, which ranges from 0 to 100 and focuses primarily on payment history. To generate a PAYDEX score, your business must first register for a D-U-N-S® Number, which acts as an identifier for your company.
Experian Business
Experian’s Intelliscore Plus ranges from 1 to 100 and evaluates factors such as payment history, credit utilization, and public records. Many lenders use Experian reports when making credit decisions.
Equifax Business
Equifax provides multiple scoring models, including the Business Credit Risk Score and the Business Failure Score, which measure both the likelihood of late payments and the risk of bankruptcy within the next 12 months.
FICO Small Business Scoring Service (SBSS)
The FICO SBSS score ranges from 0 to 300 and is commonly used by banks and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) when evaluating loan applications. It combines data from the major bureaus along with financial details you provide.
Together, these bureaus form the backbone of business credit reporting. Since each one may hold slightly different information, it’s important to check across multiple agencies to get a full picture of your business’s credit health.
Step-by-Step: How to Check Your Business Credit Score
Checking your business credit score doesn’t have to be complicated. By following a few simple steps, you can access your reports and stay informed about your company’s financial standing:
- Obtain a D-U-N-S® Number
If you haven’t already, register for a D-U-N-S® Number through Dun & Bradstreet. It’s free and serves as a unique identifier for your business, which is required to generate a PAYDEX score. - Register with the Major Credit Bureaus
Create an account with Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business. Each bureau has its own process for business verification. - Request or Purchase Your Report
Some bureaus offer limited free reports, while more detailed versions typically require a fee. For example, Experian and Equifax allow you to purchase individual reports or ongoing monitoring packages. - Review Your Reports Carefully
Look for accuracy in payment history, outstanding accounts, and any public records. Errors—such as outdated debt or incorrect payment information—can negatively impact your score. - Set Up Ongoing Monitoring
Because business credit reports can change frequently, it’s wise to use monitoring services. This ensures you receive alerts for new activity, score changes, or potential fraud.
By staying proactive with these steps, you can maintain a clear picture of your business credit and take action to correct issues before they affect financing opportunities.
Free vs. Paid Options
When it comes to checking your business credit score, you have both free and paid options, each with its own advantages.
Some bureaus and financial institutions provide limited free access to basic business credit information. For example, Dun & Bradstreet offers free registration and the ability to view certain details tied to your D-U-N-S® Number. Similarly, some banks and third-party platforms may provide free credit summaries as part of their business banking services. These options are helpful for a quick check, but they don’t always provide the depth of information you’ll need to fully understand your score.
On the other hand, paid reports and monitoring services offer a far more comprehensive view. Experian, Equifax, and Dun & Bradstreet all sell detailed credit reports that include payment histories, credit utilization, public records, and risk scores. Some also allow you to track competitors or receive alerts when changes occur in your profile. While there is a cost involved, these reports are often worth the investment—especially for established businesses seeking financing, negotiating vendor terms, or preparing for expansion.
Ultimately, free tools are a good starting point, but paid services provide the accuracy and detail necessary for making strategic business decisions.
Tips for Improving and Maintaining a Healthy Score
A strong business credit score doesn’t happen overnight, it’s built through consistent, responsible financial management. One of the most important steps is to pay your bills on time, since payment history is one of the biggest factors in your score. Setting up reminders or automatic payments can help you avoid costly late marks.
It’s also important to keep your debt levels manageable. High credit utilization or maxed-out lines of credit can signal financial instability to lenders. Aim to use credit wisely and maintain a healthy balance between debt and available credit.
Another way to strengthen your score is to establish relationships with vendors and lenders that report to credit bureaus. Not all suppliers share payment data, so choosing partners that do can help build your profile faster. At the same time, check your reports regularly and dispute any errors or inaccuracies that could be dragging down your score.
Finally, remember that building business credit is an ongoing process. By monitoring your score, maintaining good financial practices, and addressing issues promptly, you’ll create a strong foundation that supports long-term growth and financing opportunities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
While checking and building your business credit score is straightforward, many business owners make mistakes that can hurt their financial standing. One of the most common is ignoring business credit until it’s time to apply for financing by then, it may be too late to improve a weak score. Another misstep is mixing personal and business finances, which can blur the lines of liability and prevent your business from establishing its own credit history.
Business owners also sometimes assume that all credit bureaus share the same information, but in reality, each bureau collects and reports data differently. Failing to check across multiple sources can leave blind spots in your credit profile. Lastly, many companies overlook the importance of disputing inaccuracies. Even small errors, like a misreported late payment, can drag down your score if left uncorrected.
By staying proactive and avoiding these pitfalls, you’ll protect your company’s financial reputation and make sure your credit score reflects your true reliability.
Key Takeaways
Your business credit score is more than just a number it’s a reflection of your company’s reliability and financial strength. A healthy score opens doors to affordable financing, stronger vendor relationships, and greater long-term stability. By learning how to check your score, reviewing reports from multiple bureaus, and taking steps to maintain good credit practices, you’ll ensure your business is prepared for growth and opportunity.
Don’t wait until you’re applying for a loan or negotiating with suppliers to find out where you stand. Check your business credit score today, correct any issues, and build a financial foundation that sets your company up for success.
