What is a NAICS Code and How to Find Yours

If you've started looking into government contracting, you've probably run into the term "NAICS code" — and maybe felt a little lost. NAICS codes are one of those things that sound more complicated than they are. This guide explains exactly what they are, why they matter, and how to find the right codes for your business in about 10 minutes.

What Is a NAICS Code?

NAICS stands for North American Industry Classification System. It's a standardized way of classifying businesses by the type of work they do.

Every business in North America can be described by one or more NAICS codes — 6-digit numbers that correspond to specific industries. For example:

| NAICS Code | Industry |

|------------|----------|

| 541511 | Custom Computer Programming Services |

| 541330 | Engineering Services |

| 561210 | Facilities Support Services |

| 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors |

| 621111 | Offices of Physicians |

| 722513 | Limited-Service Restaurants |

The codes get more specific as you add digits. The first two digits are the industry sector, the next two narrow it to a subsector, and the last two narrow it further to a specific industry group.

Why Do NAICS Codes Matter for Government Contracting?

Every federal contract opportunity posted on SAM.gov is tagged with a NAICS code. It identifies what type of goods or services the agency is buying.

Your NAICS codes matter for two big reasons:

1. Finding opportunities: When you search for contracts on SAM.gov (or when GovRFP matches you to opportunities), NAICS codes filter the results to show you relevant solicitations. If a contract is tagged with NAICS 541511 (custom programming), and you've registered 541511 as one of your codes, that contract is in your lane.

2. Qualifying as a small business: The Small Business Administration (SBA) sets a size standard for each NAICS code. The size standard defines the maximum revenue or employee count a business can have and still be considered "small" for that industry. If you're under the size standard, you qualify as a small business — which makes you eligible for set-aside contracts that reserve competition for small businesses only.

Size standards vary significantly by industry. For example:

• 541511 (Custom Computer Programming): Small if under $34M in average annual revenue
• 238220 (Plumbing/HVAC Contractors): Small if under $22.5M in revenue
• 336411 (Aircraft Manufacturing): Small if under 1,500 employees

You can look up size standards for any code at sba.gov/size-standards.

How to Find Your NAICS Codes

Method 1: Use the Census Bureau's NAICS search tool

1. Go to census.gov/naics

2. Click "Search NAICS Codes"

3. Type a keyword that describes what your business does (e.g., "IT consulting," "landscaping," "accounting")

4. Browse the results and click through to see full descriptions

5. Pick the code whose description most closely matches your primary service

The descriptions include examples of what's included and excluded, which helps you choose accurately.

Method 2: Look at solicitations your competitors have won

Go to USASpending.gov and search for awards to businesses similar to yours. The award records will show the NAICS code used for each contract. If your competitors are winning contracts under 541512, that's a strong signal that 541512 is the right code for you.

Method 3: Look at SAM.gov opportunity listings

Search SAM.gov for opportunities in your field and note which NAICS codes appear on the solicitations that seem like a good fit. The NAICS code on a real solicitation is the government's own classification of that type of work.

How Many NAICS Codes Should You Register?

In SAM.gov, you can register up to 10 NAICS codes. In practice, most small businesses register 2–5.

Register the codes that:

• Accurately describe your business activities
• Appear on contracts you want to pursue
• Put you under the SBA size standard (making you eligible for set-asides)

Don't pad your NAICS codes with industries you don't actually work in. Registering irrelevant codes doesn't help and can create compliance issues if you pursue contracts outside your actual capabilities.

Your Primary NAICS Code

SAM.gov asks you to designate one code as your "primary" NAICS code. This should be the industry that generates the most revenue for your business. It affects certain eligibility determinations and is the code most commonly used when your business is described in government databases.

If you're genuinely split between two industries, choose the one that aligns better with your near-term growth goals in government contracting.

NAICS Codes and Certifications

If you hold special certifications (8(a), WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone), those certifications are evaluated against the size standard for each NAICS code. This means you might be "small" under one code but not another.

For example, if your NAICS size standard is $34M in revenue and you earn $20M, you're small. But if you pursue a contract under a different NAICS code with a $15M size standard, you would not be considered small for that contract.

Always check the size standard for the specific NAICS code on the solicitation, not just your primary code.

NAICS Codes in GovRFP

When you create your GovRFP profile, you select up to 5 NAICS codes. GovRFP uses these codes to filter SAM.gov opportunities and surface the ones most likely to be relevant to your business. Every day, GovRFP's AI scores new opportunities against your NAICS codes, your location, your certifications, and your contract size preferences — so you only see opportunities that actually match.

If you're not sure which codes to choose, start with 1–2 that clearly describe your core service. You can always add more codes as you learn which types of contracts you want to pursue.

Common Questions

Can I change my NAICS codes later?

Yes. You can update your NAICS codes in SAM.gov at any time, and in your GovRFP profile in Settings. Changes take effect immediately in GovRFP; SAM.gov changes take a few days to propagate.

What if no NAICS code exactly describes my business?

Choose the one that's closest. There's no perfect match for every business. When in doubt, look at what codes competitors are registered under and what codes appear on relevant solicitations — those are the most reliable signals.

Do I need a NAICS code to start looking at opportunities?

No — you can browse SAM.gov and GovRFP without registering. But you'll need NAICS codes in your SAM.gov registration before you can actually receive a contract.