Industry Codes

Updated: November 24, 2020

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.

Try These

Type Code Description
NAICS 31-33 ICT-Manufacturing
NAICS 41 ICT Information and Cultural Industries
NAICS 54 ICT-Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
NAICS 81 ICT-Other Services (except Public Administration)
NAICS 334413 Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
NAICS 334419 Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
NAICS 334417 Electronic Connector Manufacturing
NAICS 334418 Printed Circuit Assembly (Electronic Assembly) Manufacturing
NAICS 334419 Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
NAICS 541 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
NAICS 5415 Computer Systems Design
NAICS 511210 Software Publishers
NAICS 511210 Computer Software Publishing and Reproduction
NAICS 423430 Computer and Computer Peripheral Equipment and Software Merchant Wholesalers

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.