What is a CAGE code?
A CAGE code is a five-character ID the Defense Logistics Agency assigns to businesses that work with the federal government. How to get one, how to look one up, and how it differs from a UEI.
The short answer
A CAGE (Commercial and Government Entity) code is a five-character ID, letters and numbers, that identifies a business or organization to the federal government, above all the Department of Defense. The Defense Logistics Agency assigns it. U.S. businesses get one free through their SAM.gov registration; there is no separate application.
How to get a CAGE code
- Register your entity in SAM.gov (free). When you register to bid on federal contracts, SAM.gov sends your details to the DLA CAGE office, which assigns the code; it then shows in your SAM.gov registration.
- Use your physical address and legal business name exactly as your tax records show them: a mismatch is the most common reason the CAGE step stalls.
- Businesses outside the United States get an NCAGE code from their own country's codification bureau (or from DLA for countries without one) before they register in SAM.gov.
- Keep the SAM.gov registration renewed every year; the CAGE record is updated through it.
CAGE code, UEI and NAICS code: what each one is
| ID | What it identifies | Who assigns it |
|---|---|---|
| CAGE code (5 characters) | Your business at one location, in DoD and other federal systems | Defense Logistics Agency, through SAM.gov |
| Unique Entity ID, UEI (12 characters) | Your business on every federal award, contract or grant; replaced the DUNS number in April 2022 | SAM.gov |
| NAICS code (6 digits) | The kind of work you do, not your business | You choose it; the Census Bureau maintains the list |
How to look up a CAGE code
Search a business on SAM.gov's entity search or on DLA's CAGE search (cage.dla.mil). On SpendQuery, a company's page shows its UEI and, when its SAM.gov registration lists one, its CAGE code, next to the federal awards it has won.
On SpendQuery
Official sources
Questions people ask
Do I need a CAGE code to bid on a federal contract?
To be awarded a federal contract you need an active SAM.gov registration, and a contract registration includes a CAGE code. Defense contracts and many solicitations ask for it on the offer.
How long does it take to get a CAGE code?
It is assigned during SAM.gov registration, which usually takes from a few days to several weeks, longer when the business's name or address doesn't match the validation records.
Does a CAGE code cost anything?
No. The CAGE code and SAM.gov registration are free; services that charge to register are optional.
Is a CAGE code the same as a UEI?
No. The UEI (12 characters) identifies your business on every federal award; the CAGE code (5 characters) is a separate ID that DoD systems use. A registered contractor has both.
Can one company have several CAGE codes?
Yes. A CAGE code belongs to a business at one location, so a company with several locations or subsidiaries can have several.
More guides
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- How to read a SAM.gov contract notice
- How to register in SAM.gov
- NAICS codes and small-business size standards
- Federal contract types, explained
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- How to understand the FAR without reading all of it
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Updated 2026-10-22. General information, not legal advice; the solicitation and the FAR govern each purchase.