Industry Classification Codes
Jason SokoloffJMU Business Librarian
May 2008
Industry classification codes
• What they are• How they look• How to find them• How to use them
What are classification codes?
Some everyday examples…
Telephone area codesTelephone area codes
Source: USNaviguide.com
Postal ZIP codesPostal ZIP codes
Source: USNaviguide.com
Library Call NumbersLibrary Call Numbers
What are industryclassification codes?
SIC and NAICS codes
What is SIC?
• Standard Industrial Classification• 4-digit codes
AP Image database available through JMU Libraries
Source: Associated PressSource: Associated PressSuzanne PlunkettSuzanne Plunkett
SIC 5812Eating Places
Source: Associated PressSource: Associated Press / Stephen J. Carrera
SIC 5399 Miscellaneous General Merchandise Stores
Source: Library of Congress American Memoryhttp://memory.loc.gov
Source: Associated Press / Toby Talbot AP Image database available through JMU Libraries
What is NAICS?
• North American Industrial Classification System
• 6-digit codes
NAICS 722213Snack & Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars
Source: Associated Press / H. Malla Source: Associated Press / Stephan Savoia
NAICS 452910Warehouse Clubs & Supercenters
Source: Associated Press / Danny Johnston Source: Associated Press / Ted S. Warren
NAICS 454112Electronic Auctions
Campground
SIC Web site
http://www.osha.gov/pls/imis/sicsearch.html
Use codes to research
• Enter codes in library databases• Look up codes in reference books
FinancialsFinancials
Source:Almanac of Business andIndustry Financial Ratios
Other Resources
