By
August 25, 2026
How Do I Find the Right SIC Code for My Business?
To find the right SIC code for your UK business, identify its main commercial activity and search the condensed SIC-code list used by Companies House.
Your chosen code should describe what the business actually does—not what you plan to do in the distant future.
A Standard Industrial Classification, or SIC, code is a five-digit number used to classify a company according to its business activities.
UK limited companies must provide at least one SIC code when registering with Companies House. The codes appear on the public company register.
Ask what activity will generate most of the company’s revenue.
Consider:
Describe the activity in simple terms before searching for a code.
Companies House uses a condensed version of the UK SIC-code list.
Search it using words related to your activity. If the first search does not produce a suitable result, try:
For example, a business selling products may need to distinguish between manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing.
Do not choose a code based only on one matching word. Read the full description to make sure it accurately represents the activity.
Similar-looking codes may cover very different operations, such as:
Choose the closest accurate match rather than the broadest available code.
Yes. A UK limited company can use up to four SIC codes.
Multiple codes may be appropriate if the business has several genuine activities. For example, a company might:
The first or main code should normally represent the company’s principal activity.
Avoid adding codes for activities the company does not currently carry out.
Choose codes representing the company’s most significant activities.
Consider:
You do not need a separate code for every individual product or minor service.
Some modern, digital or specialist businesses may not find a perfect description.
In this situation:
Do not invent a SIC code or use one that is not included in the Companies House condensed list.
You can search the Companies House register for businesses offering similar products or services and review their SIC codes.
This can help identify possible codes, but it should not be your only method. Another company may have selected an outdated or inaccurate code.
Always compare the code with your own activities and the official description.
An online business should choose a code based on what it does, not simply because it uses the internet.
An online retailer may need a retail-related code, while a company providing digital consulting, software or advertising services will require a code relevant to that service.
The website or marketplace is the sales channel; the SIC code should describe the underlying business activity.
A company that is genuinely dormant may use:
99999 – Dormant company
A company that is not currently trading but does not meet the definition of dormant may use:
74990 – Non-trading company
These codes are not always interchangeable. The company’s actual accounting and trading status should determine which one is appropriate.
Yes. SIC codes can be updated by filing a confirmation statement with Companies House.
You should review them when:
An early confirmation statement can be filed if the information needs to be changed before the next scheduled filing date.
An accurate SIC code helps ensure that the company is represented correctly on the public register.
An incorrect code could lead to:
A SIC code does not grant regulatory permission, replace a licence or determine the company’s tax treatment.
Before confirming your selection:
The right SIC code is the Companies House code that most accurately describes your company’s current principal activity.
Start by identifying how the business earns money, search the official condensed list and use additional codes only for other significant activities. Review your selection regularly to ensure the public company record remains accurate.
