A business credit score is a numerical rating that tells lenders and suppliers how reliably your business pays its bills. Unlike personal credit, businesses have multiple scores from different bureaus — each with its own scale and calculation method. Understanding all three helps you know where you stand and how to improve access to credit.
Select a Business Credit Bureau
Each bureau uses a different scoring scale and methodology
D&B PAYDEX Score
The PAYDEX score (0–100) measures how promptly a business pays its suppliers and vendors. It's the most widely used business credit score for trade credit decisions. A score of 80 = paying on time; 100 = paying early.
PAYDEX Score Ranges
How to Improve Your PAYDEX Score
- ✓ Open 3+ vendor accounts that report to D&B (Uline, Quill, Grainger, Home Depot)
- ✓ Pay all bills 5-15 days before due date (not just on time)
- ✓ Register with D&B to get a D-U-N-S number (free at dnb.com)
- ✓ Increase number of trade references — more data improves accuracy
Bureau Comparison at a Glance
| Bureau | Score Name | Range | Good Score | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D&B | PAYDEX | 0–100 | 80+ | Trade credit, supplier terms |
| Experian | Intelliscore Plus | 1–100 | 76+ | Bank loans, credit lines |
| Equifax | Credit Risk Score | 101–992 | 692+ | Commercial lending |
| Equifax | Business Failure Score | 1000–1880 | 1500+ | Bankruptcy risk assessment |
| D&B | Delinquency Score | 1–5 | 1–2 | Predicts severe delinquency |
How to Build and Monitor Business Credit
Building business credit is a systematic process that starts with proper business formation and grows through a track record of on-time payments with creditors who report to business credit bureaus. Unlike personal credit, which is tied to your Social Security number, business credit is tied to your EIN and company details.
Step 1: Establish Your Business Entity
Incorporate your business as an LLC or corporation (not a sole proprietorship), obtain an EIN from the IRS, open a dedicated business bank account, and register with Dun & Bradstreet to get a D-U-N-S number. Your business address should be consistent and professional — a PO Box alone may flag some lenders.
Step 2: Open Starter Trade Accounts
Start with vendor accounts at companies that report to D&B: Uline (office supplies), Quill (office supplies), Grainger (industrial), and Home Depot or Lowe's (Pro accounts). Apply for net-30 terms and pay 5–15 days before due. After 3–6 months of on-time payments, these will start building your PAYDEX score.
Step 3: Add a Business Credit Card
Open a business credit card that reports to business credit bureaus (most major bank cards do). Keep utilization under 30% and pay in full monthly. This builds Experian and Equifax business credit history faster than trade accounts alone.
Step 4: Monitor All Three Bureaus
Check your business credit reports quarterly. D&B offers a free basic profile. Nav.com provides free scores from multiple bureaus. CreditSafe, Experian BusinessCredit Advantage, and Equifax Business Credit Monitor offer paid monitoring. Dispute errors immediately — business credit bureaus have fewer protections than consumer bureaus, but errors still need correction.
Timeline to Build Business Credit
Most businesses can establish a basic PAYDEX score within 3–6 months with 3+ reporting trade accounts. A solid PAYDEX of 80+ typically takes 6–12 months. Experian and Equifax scores mature over 1–3 years of credit history. Businesses 2+ years old with clean payment records typically qualify for SBA loans, equipment financing, and business lines of credit at competitive rates.
FAQ
Is this business credit score guide free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. The guide is an educational reference tool to help you understand business credit scoring systems.
What is a good PAYDEX score?
A PAYDEX score of 80 or higher is considered good by most lenders. A score of 80 means you pay on time (within agreed terms). Scores of 100 indicate early payment. Scores below 70 suggest late payments and will negatively impact credit access. Many major suppliers and lenders require a minimum PAYDEX of 75-80 for net-30 or net-60 terms.
How is D&B PAYDEX different from Experian Business Credit?
PAYDEX (0-100) focuses purely on payment history with trade vendors. Experian Business (1-100) and Equifax Business (101-992 or 0-100 depending on score type) incorporate additional factors like years in business, public records, industry risk, and financial stability. PAYDEX is the most commonly checked score for trade credit; Experian and Equifax matter more for bank loans and lines of credit.
How do I build business credit if I'm starting from scratch?
Start by incorporating your business (LLC or corporation) and getting an EIN. Open a business bank account and business credit card. Register with Dun & Bradstreet to get a D-U-N-S number (free). Open accounts with vendors that report to business credit bureaus (Uline, Quill, Grainger report to D&B). Pay all bills early or on time. After 6-12 months of payment history, check your business credit reports.
Does my personal credit affect my business credit score?
They are separate systems, but personal credit matters for new businesses. Most lenders check both when your business lacks credit history (under 2 years). Once you have established business credit, some lenders will use only business credit. Keeping personal credit above 680 helps while building business credit history.
How do I check my business credit score for free?
D&B offers a free basic profile at dnb.com (paid tiers for full reports). Experian Business offers a free business credit report at experian.com/business. Nav.com provides free business credit scores from multiple bureaus. CreditSafe offers a free trial. Full detailed reports typically cost $30-$100 per bureau.