Codes & registration
What is a NAICS code?
A NAICS code is a six-digit number from the North American Industry Classification System that identifies a specific industry, jointly maintained by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In government contracting, NAICS codes route opportunities to vendors, define US small-business size standards, and describe what your business does in vendor registrations.
Last updated: 2026-06-12
How the code is structured
The six digits narrow from general to specific: the first two identify the sector (23 = Construction, 54 = Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services), and each further digit refines the industry down to a precise six-digit national industry such as 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services.
The system is revised roughly every five years; NAICS 2022 is the current edition used by SAM.gov, CanadaBuys, and most state and provincial portals.
Why NAICS codes matter in procurement
Buyers tag every opportunity with one or more NAICS codes, and vendors list the codes they serve when registering — the overlap is how tender notifications get routed. A wrong primary code means streams of irrelevant alerts and missed real opportunities.
In US federal contracting the NAICS code on a solicitation also fixes the SBA size standard: the revenue or employee cap that decides whether you count as a small business for that contract and its set-asides.
Your primary code should describe the activity that generates most of your revenue today, with secondary codes only for adjacent work you genuinely perform.
NAICS in Canada
Canada co-maintains NAICS through Statistics Canada, and Canadian tenders frequently reference it. CanadaBuys, however, primarily categorizes tenders with UNSPSC codes (and legacy GSINs), so Canadian suppliers typically track both systems.
GovBid's free NAICS code lookup covers the codes most often cited in Canadian and US tenders, and the GSIN lookup covers the Canadian legacy system.
Frequently asked questions
- How do I find my NAICS code?
- Search a lookup tool (like GovBid's free NAICS code lookup) for the activity that generates most of your revenue, then confirm the official definition matches what you actually do. Your three largest past contracts are a good cross-check.
- Can I have more than one NAICS code?
- Yes. You declare one primary code and as many secondary codes as genuinely apply. Padding your profile with off-topic codes dilutes matching relevance and creates audit risk on set-aside bids.
- Do NAICS codes affect small-business eligibility?
- In the US, yes — each contract's NAICS code carries an SBA size standard that determines whether your firm is "small" for that competition. The same firm can be small under one code and large under another.
- Are NAICS codes the same in Canada and the US?
- The structure is shared and most codes are identical, with a few country-specific industries at the six-digit level. Canadian federal tenders additionally use UNSPSC and legacy GSIN codes on CanadaBuys.
Open Canadian and US government tenders, tracked daily
GovBid tracks open tenders from CanadaBuys, SAM.gov, and provincial, state, and municipal sources — and emails you the ones that match your business, free.
Related answers
This article explains government procurement concepts in general terms and is not legal advice. Rely on the specific solicitation documents for any opportunity you pursue.