DUNS Number Lookup: How to Find a DUNS, UEI or CAGE Code
Last updated November 5, 2026 · Written by the EIN Registration filing team
Which number are you looking for?
| Number | Who issues it | Format | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-U-N-S Number | Dun & Bradstreet, a private company | 9 digits | Business credit files, some suppliers and app store developer accounts |
| Unique Entity ID (UEI) | SAM.gov | 12 letters and numbers | Federal contracts, grants and other awards |
| CAGE code | Defense Logistics Agency, through SAM.gov | 5 letters and numbers | Identifying a contractor at a specific location |
| EIN | The IRS | 9 digits, written XX-XXXXXXX | Federal taxes, payroll, bank accounts |
How to look up a DUNS number
- Use D&B’s free lookup. Search on dnb.com by the legal business name, then confirm the address. Try the name without LLC or Inc if nothing comes up, and try an old address if the business moved.
- Check your paperwork. If you ever got a DUNS, it may be on emails from Dun & Bradstreet, a supplier or vendor application, or an app store developer account.
- No number? Request one. D&B issues them free. It says a standard request can take up to 30 business days and sells an expedited one that takes about eight. You do not need a paid service to get a DUNS.
How to find a UEI
Since April 4, 2022, federal agencies identify businesses by the Unique Entity ID that SAM.gov assigns, not the DUNS. A UEI is free. If you have one, it shows in your SAM.gov workspace. To look up another business’s UEI, search SAM.gov’s public entity information by name.
A UEI on its own is checked against your legal name and address. Full SAM.gov registration, which contracts require, also checks your legal name and EIN with the IRS, and a brand new EIN can take a while to pass that check; see why a new EIN may not work yet.
How to find a CAGE code
A CAGE code is assigned when a U.S. business registers in SAM.gov, so it shows in the SAM.gov registration. To look one up for another company, search SAM.gov’s entity information or the Defense Logistics Agency’s CAGE search by company name, UEI or CAGE code. Businesses outside the United States get an NCAGE code instead.
Registering in SAM.gov is free
Some companies send official-looking letters or charge fees to register you in SAM.gov or get you a DUNS. Both are free from the source. Paying a helper is optional, not required.
Need an EIN before you can register anywhere? We prepare and file your EIN application and email you the number, typically within 2 to 4 business days.
Start Now →Quick answers
How do I look up my DUNS number?
Use Dun & Bradstreet's free D-U-N-S lookup on dnb.com and search by your business name and address. If your company is in their records, the number shows in a few minutes. If not, you can request one.
Is a DUNS number free?
Yes. Dun & Bradstreet issues D-U-N-S Numbers at no charge. A standard request can take up to 30 business days. D&B sells an expedited request that it says takes about eight business days.
Do I need a DUNS number for SAM.gov or federal grants?
No, not since April 4, 2022. The federal government now uses the Unique Entity ID (UEI), which SAM.gov assigns free. You need your EIN to register in SAM.gov.
How do I find a CAGE code?
A CAGE code is assigned when a business registers in SAM.gov. Search SAM.gov's entity information, or the Defense Logistics Agency's CAGE search, by company name or UEI.
Is a DUNS number the same as an EIN?
No. The EIN comes from the IRS and is used for taxes. The DUNS number comes from Dun & Bradstreet, a private company, and is used for business credit files and by some suppliers and app stores.
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Related guides
- DUNS vs EIN: What Is the Difference? An EIN comes from the IRS and is your tax number. A D-U-N-S comes from Dun & Bradstreet and is a credit file number. Which one you need, and for what.
- How to Verify an EIN: Check That a Tax ID Is Real The IRS has no public lookup, but payers can use TIN Matching, anyone can ask for the CP 575 or 147C letter and a W-9, and nonprofits and public companies are on the public record. Which route fits, and what verification sites actually do.
- How to Find a Company's EIN The ways to find another company's EIN, what works for which kind of company, and what will not work.
- New EIN Not Active Yet? Why It Gets Rejected for Up to Two Weeks A new EIN can open a bank account the day it is issued, but the IRS says to wait up to two weeks before it passes TIN Matching, e-files a return or pays electronically. Where that wait shows up, what to send instead, and when a rejection means something else.
Sources
You can also apply for an EIN directly with the IRS at irs.gov at no cost.