NAICS and SIC Codes
NAICS and SIC codes help classify and measure industry activity. Knowing the code for your industry will help you find reports, articles, and other information on that industry.
The NAICS (North American Industry Classification System) is gradually replacing the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) system.
Even though the codes are standardized, different resources will assign codes differently. Additionally, many companies can have multiple codes because of their various business segments. Be flexible and cautious when using codes to search, and always check multiple sources.
Note: Sometimes there isn't a perfect or obvious code. If you have questions, please contact the business librarian.
Accompanying image from the Census Bureau's site.
To look up codes by keyword, use the following sites.
- NAICS websiteUse this site to search for NAICS codes.
Note: It can be tricky to find the right wording. Try variants- cell phone vs. mobile phone vs. wireless communications, etc. - SIC LookupUse this U.S. Department of Labor site to search for an industry code by keyword, or look up an SIC code.
If you already have a company but don't know what code(s) are associated with it, try the following databases.
- Mergent OnlineAvailable through the Boston Public Library
All students in Massachusetts are eligible to sign up for a BPL ecard
This link will bring you to the BPL list of resources. Scroll through the list to find individual titles.
Search for company name, and view the company profile. You can see the SIC and NAICS codes assigned by this database under Company Details->Details.
If you only have the SIC code but the resource you are using only provides NAICS codes, you might want to try and convert your SIC code to the NAICS code. You can use the following documents to help.
- NAICS to SIC CrosswalkFrom NAICS Association website, provides a table of conversions from NAICS to SIC codes.
- SIC to NAICS CrosswalkFrom NAICS Association website, provides a table of conversions from SIC to NAICS codes.
Another set of codes, the Global Industry Classification Standard or GICS, was developed by Standard & Poor's. The GICS classifications were designed to "respond to the global financial community's need for an accurate, complete and standard industry definition" and consist of 10 sectors, 24 industry groups, 67 industries and 156 sub-industries.