Dun & Bradstreet PAYDEX Score Explained: What It Is & How to Build It

Q: How do I get a PAYDEX score?

To get a PAYDEX score, you need: 1) A DUNS number from D&B (free), 2) At least 2-3 vendors that report payments to D&B, and 3) Payment history on those accounts. Most businesses see their first PAYDEX within 60-90 days of opening reporting vendor accounts.

Q: What is a DUNS number?

A DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number is a unique 9-digit identifier assigned by Dun & Bradstreet to your business. It's free to obtain and required for building a D&B credit profile. You can apply at dnb.com.

Q: What vendors report to Dun & Bradstreet?

Many major vendors report to D&B, including Uline, Grainger, Quill, Office Depot, Home Depot commercial accounts, and many others. Always verify before opening an account that the vendor reports to business credit bureaus.

Q: How do I improve my PAYDEX score quickly?

To improve PAYDEX quickly: 1) Pay all invoices early, not just on time (early payments score higher), 2) Open multiple reporting vendor accounts (more trade lines = stronger profile), 3) Make larger purchases (dollar-weighted), 4) Never pay late on any account.

Q: Does PAYDEX affect personal credit?

No. PAYDEX is a business credit score tracked by Dun & Bradstreet, completely separate from your personal credit. Your PAYDEX doesn't appear on personal credit reports (Equifax, Experian, TransUnion) and doesn't affect your personal FICO score.

TL;DR: What is a PAYDEX Score? PAYDEX is Dun & Bradstreet's business credit score ranging from 0-100. Unlike FICO scores (300-850), PAYDEX measures how quickly you pay vendors—not how much debt you have. A score of 80 means you pay on time; 100 means you pay early. Most lenders want to see 75-80+. To get a PAYDEX, you need a DUNS number (free from D&B) and at least 2-3 vendor accounts that report payments. Your first score appears within 60-90 days.

If you're building business credit, you'll hear about PAYDEX constantly. It's the most widely used business credit score, and lenders, suppliers, and partners check it before extending credit. Understanding PAYDEX is essential to building strong business credit.

What is the PAYDEX Score?

PAYDEX (Payment Index) is Dun & Bradstreet's proprietary business credit score. It measures one thing: how fast you pay your bills compared to the terms you were given.

Key characteristics of PAYDEX:

Ranges from 0-100 (not 300-850 like personal FICO scores)
Based purely on payment speed and history
Dollar-weighted (larger invoices count more)
Only includes accounts reported to Dun & Bradstreet
Updated as new payment data is reported

PAYDEX Score Ranges: What Do the Numbers Mean?

PAYDEX Score	Payment Behavior	Rating
100	Pays 30+ days early	Excellent
90	Pays 20 days early	Excellent
80	Pays on time (within terms)	Good
70	Pays 15 days late	Fair
60	Pays 22 days late	Fair
50	Pays 30 days late	Poor
40 or below	Pays 60+ days late	High Risk

Key Insight: Unlike personal credit where "on-time" is the goal, with PAYDEX you should pay early. Paying before the due date pushes your score above 80, making you look like a lower-risk borrower.

How is PAYDEX Calculated?

D&B calculates PAYDEX using payment experiences reported by vendors. The formula considers:

Payment timeliness – How many days early or late you paid
Dollar amount – Larger invoices carry more weight
Number of experiences – More trade references strengthen your profile
Recency – Recent payment behavior matters more than old history

The score is a dollar-weighted average. If you pay a $10,000 invoice early but a $100 invoice late, your score will still be high because the larger payment counts more.

How to Get a PAYDEX Score

To establish a PAYDEX score, you need three things:

1. Get a DUNS Number

Your DUNS (Data Universal Numbering System) number is a unique 9-digit identifier for your business. Apply for free at DNB.com. The free process takes about 30 days; expedited options are available.

2. Open Accounts That Report to D&B

Not all vendors report to Dun & Bradstreet. Focus on Tier 1 vendors known to report:

Uline (shipping supplies)
Grainger (industrial supplies)
Quill (office supplies)
Crown Office Supplies
Strategic Network Solutions

3. Build Payment History

Make purchases and pay early. You need at least 2-3 vendors reporting before D&B calculates your PAYDEX. Most businesses see their first score within 60-90 days.

How to Improve Your PAYDEX Score

Follow these strategies to build and maintain a high PAYDEX:

Pay early, not just on time – Every day early improves your score
Increase trade references – More reporting vendors = stronger profile
Focus on larger purchases – Dollar-weighted means big invoices count more
Never pay late – One late payment can drop your score significantly
Monitor your profile – Check for errors and dispute inaccurate information

Need help building your PAYDEX score? Organic Business Credit provides the exact vendor sequence and strategies that build PAYDEX quickly. Our programs start at $49/month.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a PAYDEX score?

PAYDEX is Dun & Bradstreet's business credit score that measures how quickly you pay your vendors. It ranges from 0-100, with 80+ indicating on-time payment.

What is a good PAYDEX score?

A PAYDEX of 80+ is considered good, meaning you pay on time. A score of 100 means you pay early. Most lenders want to see 75-80+.

How is PAYDEX score calculated?

PAYDEX is calculated based on payment experiences reported to Dun & Bradstreet. It measures the dollar-weighted average of how many days early or late you pay.

How do I get a PAYDEX score?

To get a PAYDEX score, you need a DUNS number from D&B (free), at least 2-3 vendors that report payments, and payment history on those accounts.

What is a DUNS number?

A DUNS number is a unique 9-digit identifier assigned by Dun & Bradstreet to your business. It's free to obtain at dnb.com and required for building a D&B credit profile.

How long does it take to build a PAYDEX score?

Your first PAYDEX score typically appears 30-60 days after your first vendor reports a payment. To build 80+, most businesses need 60-90 days of consistent early payments.

How do I check my PAYDEX score?

You can check your PAYDEX score through Dun & Bradstreet's website or their CreditSignal service. Business credit reports typically require payment to access.

What vendors report to Dun & Bradstreet?

Major vendors that report to D&B include Uline, Grainger, Quill, Office Depot, Home Depot commercial accounts, and many others.

How do I improve my PAYDEX score quickly?

Pay all invoices early (not just on time), open multiple reporting vendor accounts, make larger purchases (dollar-weighted), and never pay late on any account.

Does PAYDEX affect personal credit?

No. PAYDEX is a business credit score tracked by D&B, completely separate from your personal credit. It doesn't appear on personal credit reports.

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