How PAYDEX Actually Works (And Why 80+ Unlocks Real Credit)

Your D&B PAYDEX score is the one business-credit number that separates hobbyists from serious operators. It runs from 0 to 100 and measures one thing: how quickly you pay your vendors.

The Math

• 80 = you pay on time
• 90–100 = you pay 20–30 days early
• 70–79 = 15 days late on average
• Below 70 = chronic late payer

Lenders look for 80+ as their bare minimum before extending unsecured business credit.

How to Get Started

1. Get a D-U-N-S Number (free at dnb.com — do NOT pay any third party for this).
2. Open 3–5 net-30 vendor accounts that report to D&B: Uline, Quill, Grainger, Summa Office Supplies, and Crown Office Supplies are the classic starter set.
3. Make a small purchase from each. Pay the invoice 5–10 days early.
4. Wait 30–60 days. Trade lines start reporting.

The Move That Compounds

Once you have 3 tradelines reporting on time, every additional vendor account compounds your score. Businesses with 10+ reporting vendors regularly hit PAYDEX 90+ — which means better rates on lines of credit, term loans, and equipment financing.

What Kills It

• Paying even one day late (D&B measures on days-past-due basis, not "on time / late" binary)
• Closing old vendor accounts (like personal credit, age matters)
• Letting utilization run high on business credit cards that report to D&B

Track your PAYDEX progress on the Business Credit Scores dashboard — log your score after each pull and watch it climb.