Business Credit Score: How It Works and Why It Matters
Understand business credit scores, how they differ from personal credit, and how to build strong business credit for better financing.
What Is a Business Credit Score?
A business credit score measures your company's creditworthiness separately from your personal credit. Major business credit bureaus—Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business—track your business payment history and calculate scores that lenders, suppliers, and partners use to evaluate risk.
Unlike personal credit scores that range from 300-850, business credit scores use different scales. The most common is Dun & Bradstreet's PAYDEX score, ranging from 1-100.
Business Credit Score Scales
Different bureaus use different scoring models.
| Bureau | Score Range | Good Score | What It Measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| D&B PAYDEX | 1-100 | 80+ | Payment history timing |
| Experian Intelliscore | 1-100 | 76+ | Overall credit risk |
| Equifax Business | 101-992 | 700+ | Payment and credit behavior |
| FICO SBSS | 0-300 | 160+ | Combined personal/business |
Factors Affecting Business Credit
Business credit scores consider several factors.
- Payment history with suppliers and lenders
- Credit utilization on business accounts
- Length of credit history
- Company size and age
- Industry risk factors
- Public records (liens, judgments, bankruptcies)
- Number of credit inquiries
Building Business Credit
Establishing strong business credit takes deliberate effort.
- Incorporate your business and obtain EIN
- Open a business bank account
- Establish trade accounts with suppliers who report
- Get a business credit card and pay on time
- Apply for a D-U-N-S number
- Pay all obligations early or on time
- Monitor your business credit reports regularly
Not all suppliers report payment history to business credit bureaus. Ask vendors if they report before counting on them to build your credit.
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Read more →Important Disclosure
Not Financial Advice: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. You should consult with qualified professionals before making any financial decisions.
No Guarantee of Financing: Liminal Lending Co. is a business loan marketplace that connects borrowers with third-party lenders. We are not a lender and do not make credit decisions. Submitting an application does not guarantee approval or funding. Loan terms, rates, and availability vary by lender and are subject to borrower qualifications and lender criteria.
Third-Party Lenders: All loan products are offered by independent third-party lenders. Liminal Lending Co. is an Independent Sales Organization (ISO) and receives compensation from lenders for successful referrals. Terms and conditions of any loan are between you and the lender.
Rate Information: Rates, terms, and fees mentioned in this article are estimates based on publicly available information and may not reflect current market conditions or specific lender offers. Actual rates depend on creditworthiness, business financials, and lender policies.
Information May Change: Financial markets, lending regulations, and economic conditions are subject to rapid change. While we strive to keep our content accurate and up-to-date, information in this article may become outdated. Always verify current rates, terms, program availability, and regulatory requirements with lenders and official sources before making financial decisions.