Quick Answer
A D-U-N-S number is a proprietary nine-digit identifier issued by Dun & Bradstreet. It identifies a business within D&B's systems and may be associated with a PAYDEX score when sufficient payment data is reported.
Key Takeaways
- D-U-N-S applies to Dun & Bradstreet and is not required by every lender or vendor.
- PAYDEX ranges from 1–100 and depends on payment experiences reported to D&B.
- Federal entity registration uses the Unique Entity ID issued through SAM.gov, not D-U-N-S.
How PAYDEX Differs From FICO
PAYDEX is based primarily on supplier payment history rather than revolving utilization or installment performance. Early payment can produce scores above 80 - something that has no analog in personal FICO scoring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a D-U-N-S number required?
Not universally. It may be relevant when a lender, supplier, or vendor uses Dun & Bradstreet data. Federal entity registration now uses the Unique Entity ID issued through SAM.gov rather than D-U-N-S.