How to Find a Company’s SIC Code: Business Lookup and Industry Classification
A company’s SIC Code identifies its primary economic activity at a specific location. SIC codes are used across government reporting, market research, credit systems, and commercial databases to consistently classify and compare businesses.
Every active business in the United States is associated with a Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code. These codes organize industries in a hierarchical structure and provide a shared framework for identifying what a business does. At SICCODE.com, classification data is compiled, verified, and organized for over 15 million U.S. businesses, supporting market intelligence, research, and operational use.
Navigating the SIC Code Landscape
Finding a Company’s SIC Code
Identifying a company’s SIC Code is a foundational step for industry research, competitive analysis, and business targeting. The SIC Code Lookup & Directory allows users to search by company name, keyword, or industry description to locate the most relevant classification.
Search Tips for Accurate Results
SIC Codes are typically assigned at the establishment level, meaning that different physical locations within the same corporation may carry different SIC codes based on their primary activity. When searching, it is important to consider the specific location and function being analyzed.
Headquarters vs. Operations
Administrative or corporate offices may have a different SIC classification than manufacturing plants, retail outlets, or service locations.
Why Location Matters
Using the correct establishment-level SIC Code improves accuracy across compliance filings, analytics, and business intelligence systems.
Case Example: Multiple SIC Codes Within One Corporation
Large organizations often operate across multiple industry categories. For example, Exxon Mobil maintains distinct SIC classifications for different operational segments:
Strategic Uses of SIC Codes
Market & Industry Analysis
Analysts use SIC groupings to evaluate industry size, trends, and competitive positioning, enabling consistent benchmarking across datasets.
Targeted Marketing & Outreach
SIC-based segmentation allows marketers to focus campaigns on specific industries. Verified lists can be built using Business List USA.
Business Development
SIC Codes help identify potential partners, suppliers, or acquisition targets based on shared or complementary industry classifications.
Credit & Risk Assessment
Lenders and data providers rely on SIC codes to compare businesses within peer groups and assess relative risk profiles.
Data Freshness & Classification Accuracy
How Current Is SICCODE.com Data?
Business data changes continuously. Each month, an estimated 2–3% of U.S. establishments experience closures, relocations, ownership changes, or shifts in primary business activity.
SICCODE.com utilizes a multi-step verification and normalization process to monitor and update industry classifications across more than 15 million establishments. This process helps maintain accuracy for research, compliance, and commercial use.
Identify vs. Append: Choosing the Right Approach
When You Need to Identify a Code
If you are researching a single company or a small set of businesses, using the SIC Code Lookup & Directory is the most efficient way to identify and validate the appropriate classification.
When You Need to Append SIC Codes
If you already have a list of companies—such as a CRM, prospect list, or research dataset—and need SIC codes added at scale, consider using SIC Code Append Services to enrich records consistently and efficiently.
Essential SIC Code Resources
Verified Business Data Access
Connect With SICCODE.com
Whether you are researching companies, validating classifications, or enriching business datasets, our team can assist with expert guidance. Please contact us for assistance.
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What Our Clients Say
We needed a full list of companies within a specific SIC code in order to complete some target market analysis. SICCODE.com provided a comprehensive data set to review and analyze. The delivery was fast and comprehensive. The experience was simple, straightforward, and met our needs - we would recommend.
