Industry Codes: The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)
At the start of your research, it may not be clear what specific industry you should be examining. A good strategy is to find out if your business idea is classified in an industrial classification system. These systems organize industries by assigning them a numeric code. The most commonly used system is the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Once you know your Industry Classification Code you can use this number to:
- Find industry-specific statistics on government websites or in library databases
- Generate lists of competitors in company directories
Another common classification system is the Standard Industry Code (SIC). NAICS have mostly replaced the SIC, but the SIC is still used by some commercial databases. Finding and using these classification systems to effectively search can be tricky, so don't hesitate to ask a librarian for help.
Start With These Suggestions
Type |
Code |
Description |
|
NAICS |
322230 | Stationery Product Manufacturing |
|
NAICS |
327215 | Glass Product Manufacturing Made of Purchased Glass |
|
NAICS |
327110 | Pottery, Ceramics, and Plumbing Fixture Manufacturing |
|
NAICS |
315250 | Cut and Sew Apparel Manufacturing (Except Contractors) |
|
NAICS |
339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing |
|
NAICS |
323113 | Commercial Screen Printing |
| NAICS | 337121 | Upholstered Household Furniture Manufacturing |
| NAICS | 337213 | Other Wood Household Furniture Manufacturing |
| NAICS | 337123 | Wood Office Furniture, including Custom Architectural Woodwork, Manufacturing |
|
NAICS |
321999 | All Other Miscellaneous Wood Product Manufacturing |
|
NAICS |
448150 |
Apparel accessory stores, retail |
|
NAICS |
44-45 | Retail Trade |
| NAICS | 45399 | Other Miscellaneous Store Retailers |
| NAICS | 711511 | Independent Visual Artists and Artisans |
| SIC | 2395 | Pleating, Decorative and Novelty Stitching, and Tucking for the Trade |
| SIC | 2610 | Household Furniture Industries |
| SIC | 3229 | Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware, Not Elsewhere Classified |
| SIC | 3263 | Fine Earthenware (Whiteware) Table and Kitchen Articles |
| SIC | 3231 | Glass Products, Made of Purchased Glass |
| SIC | 3269 | Pottery Products, Not Elsewhere Classified |
| SIC | 3272 | Concrete Products, Except Block and Brick |
| SIC | 3911 | Jewelry, Precious Metal |
| SIC | 5999 | Miscellaneous Retail Stores, Not Elsewhere Classified |
Search or browse all NAICS or SIC codes on the NAICS Association website. Some NAICS codes are different in Canada — you can search by keyword or browse Canadian NAICS codes at Statistics Canada or Canadian Industry Statistics. To search for a SIC code using a NAICS code and vice versa, use the NAICS & SIC Crosswalks.
For more information about planning your industry research, including identifying your industry codes, check out the video tutorial for Module 3: Planning Your Industry Research.