NAICS Code for IT Company (Software, Programming, Managed Services, Hosting)
“IT company” is not a single NAICS code. Most IT businesses are classified in NAICS Sector 51 (Information) or in IT services within NAICS Sector 54 (Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services).
The correct NAICS code depends on the primary activity: software publishing, custom software development, managed IT services, data processing/hosting, telecommunications, systems design/consulting, or hardware-related services.
How to choose the correct NAICS code for an IT company
Quick rule: classify by the primary activity performed and sold (the activity that drives the majority of economic output).
- Product company selling software licenses/subscriptions: often 511210 – Software Publishers.
- Custom software development for clients: often 541511 – Custom Computer Programming Services.
- IT consulting / systems design / implementation: often 541512 – Computer Systems Design Services.
- Managed IT services / MSP / helpdesk: often 541513 – Computer Facilities Management Services or 541519 depending on scope.
- Cloud hosting / data processing: often within 518 (e.g., 518210).
- Telecommunications provider: often within 517.
Establishment rule: NAICS is assigned at the address/location level. A company can have separate NAICS codes for a software HQ, a data center, and a support center.
⚠️ Common mistake: choosing “software publishing” for any company that writes software.
Writing software is not the same as selling a packaged software product. If most revenue comes from client projects, implementation, managed services, or consulting, the correct code is often in 5415 rather than 511210.
IT NAICS decision tree (start here)
| Question | If YES | If NO |
|---|---|---|
| Do you sell a software product (licenses/subscriptions) you control? | Often 511210. | Continue. |
| Is revenue primarily from custom software work for clients? | Often 541511. | Continue. |
| Is revenue primarily from IT consulting/systems design & implementation? | Often 541512. | Continue. |
| Do you operate ongoing managed IT services (MSP/helpdesk/operations)? | Often 541513 or 541519. | Continue. |
| Do you operate data processing/hosting infrastructure (cloud/hosting)? | Often 518210. | Continue. |
| Are you primarily a telecom carrier/provider? | Often within 517 (type depends on provider). | Use the directory to locate best-fit definitions by primary activity. |
Tip: If two activities are substantial (e.g., software product + services), classify by the activity representing the largest share of economic output and keep a short internal note for repeatability.
Common NAICS codes for IT companies
Below are common “IT” classifications. Use each code page to confirm included/excluded activities and boundaries.
Software, programming, and development
- 511210 – Software Publishers (product/software publishing)
- 541511 – Custom Computer Programming Services (client-specific development)
- 541512 – Computer Systems Design Services (systems design/implementation)
- 541519 – Other Computer Related Services (IT services not elsewhere classified)
If you both build and sell software, the key distinction is whether revenue is primarily product-based (often 511210) or project/services-based (often 5415xx).
Managed services, hosting, and infrastructure
- 541513 – Computer Facilities Management Services (operations/management)
- 518210 – Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services
- 517 – Telecommunications (carrier/provider classifications)
- 541690 (certain technical consulting models; confirm fit)
Hosting/infrastructure operations are often distinct from software development and may be classified differently at different locations.
View more IT-adjacent classifications (common “IT company” searches)
| IT activity | Common NAICS (starting point) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cybersecurity services (managed security, monitoring) | 541519 | Often fits as computer-related services; confirm boundaries. |
| Web design / web development agency | 541511 | May vary by the actual service mix (programming vs design vs marketing). |
| IT training / education | 611420 | Training is typically education, not IT services. |
| Hardware repair / IT break-fix | 811212 | Repair is typically in repair/maintenance, not software/consulting. |
| Computer systems retail | 443142 | Retail differs from IT services even if staff provide setup/support. |
Common confusion cases (avoid misclassification)
SaaS vs custom development vs consulting
- SaaS / packaged software product: often 511210.
- Agency building software for clients: often 541511.
- Implementation partner / systems integrator: often 541512.
- MSP / ongoing management: often 541513 or 541519.
If you do multiple, classify by the largest revenue driver and document the rationale.
IT departments and internal IT operations
- Internal IT department: typically not classified separately; the establishment code reflects the company’s primary industry.
- Call center support: may classify as call centers if that is the primary activity at that location.
- Data center operated as a business unit: may classify differently than the corporate HQ.
NAICS is establishment-based: different locations can have different codes depending on what each site does.
Hybrid IT businesses (how to classify consistently)
Hybrid businesses are common in IT. Use a consistent method so classification decisions are repeatable:
- Step 1: list the major revenue streams (product subscriptions, client projects, managed services, hosting).
- Step 2: identify the primary activity (largest share of economic output) for the specific establishment/location.
- Step 3: select the NAICS definition that best matches that primary activity (avoid “catch-all” codes when a specific code fits).
- Step 4: keep a short internal note (what evidence/logic was used) for audits, onboarding, and renewals.
Why correct IT NAICS classification matters
- Vendor onboarding and compliance forms that require NAICS
- SBA size standards and program eligibility workflows (where NAICS is required)
- Market sizing, segmentation, and peer benchmarking
- Business list building and firmographic analytics by IT subcategory
IT business lists & data (available by NAICS)
Need an IT company list by NAICS code?
SICCODE.com provides structured business data that can be segmented by NAICS (e.g., software publishers, custom programmers, systems design firms, hosting providers), with filters such as geography (state, county, ZIP), company size, and other firmographic criteria. Delivery options include CSV, Excel, and structured formats for integration workflows.
Common use cases include targeting, partnership research, territory planning, market sizing, and data normalization by classification.
FAQ
- What is the NAICS code for an IT company?
“IT company” can map to multiple NAICS codes. Common starting points include 511210 (software publishers) and several 5415 categories (custom programming, systems design, managed services). - What NAICS code is used for software development?
If software is built as custom client work, often 541511. If software is sold as a product, often 511210. - What NAICS code is used for managed IT services (MSP)?
Many managed IT services align with 541513 or 541519, depending on scope and primary activity. - Is a hosting/cloud provider in the same code as a software company?
Not always. Hosting/data processing often aligns with 518210, while software product companies often align with 511210. - Can one company have multiple NAICS codes?
Yes. NAICS is establishment-based. Different locations (HQ, data center, support office) may have different NAICS codes depending on what each site does.
Next steps
Start by identifying the IT company’s primary activity: software product (often 511210), custom programming (often 541511), systems design (often 541512), managed services (often 541513/541519), hosting (often 518210), or telecom (517). Then confirm the final selection using the NAICS definition pages.
Related resources
- NAICS Code Lookup Directory
- What Is a NAICS Code?
- NAICS Included vs. Excluded Activities
- SIC Codes vs NAICS Codes
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