Finance

D-U-N-S number

A D-U-N-S number is a nine-digit identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet that identifies a business in their commercial database. It is a prerequisite for a D&B credit file and is sometimes required by government contracts and large corporate vendors. It is issued free of charge.

In plain terms: A free ID number that lets Dun & Bradstreet track your company's credit.

Why it matters

Genuinely useful and genuinely free. Services charging for one are charging for the application, which takes minutes. Some vendors and grant programmes will not onboard a supplier without it.

Related terms

• Business credit
• Trade line
• Personal guarantee

Source: Dun & Bradstreet — D-U-N-S Number. This is a definition, not tax or legal advice — verify against the primary source before acting.