CAGE Code Lookup: 4 Steps to Find or Request One

By Aoba Works · Published October 29, 2026 · 17 min read

How this guide was made: drafted with AI assistance from the official sources linked below, then passed an automated editorial check before publishing. Our process

• Sam.gov
• Federal Contracting
• Small Business

To look up a CAGE code, search the company's legal name in SAM.gov's public Entity Information search. If the company isn't registered in SAM.gov, use DLA's CAGE Search & Inquiry at cage.dla.mil. If you need a CAGE code for your own business, you usually don't request one: when you register in SAM.gov, DLA's CAGE Branch assigns a code as part of the SAM registration process. A direct request at cage.dla.mil is only for U.S. offerors that don't otherwise register in SAM. Foreign firms get an NCAGE code through their national codification bureau or NSPA.

Which option is right for you?

Choose by what you're trying to do. Pick the first page from the table below. All of these official tools are free.

The reasons, one line each:

• Beginner: SAM registration is required to win most federal awards anyway, and it creates your CAGE code with no extra form.
• Daily work use: DLA is where CAGE records live. SAM.gov only shows entities that registered and chose public display.
• Budget: SAM.gov, cage.dla.mil, PUB LOG and NCAGE requests cost nothing. Paid "registration services" sell you something you can do yourself for free.

The 4-Step Decision Tree: Find It or Request It

Ask four questions in order. The first "yes" tells you which tool to use.

1. Do you need your own code and plan to bid on federal contracts? Register in SAM.gov. Under FAR 52.204-16 (Aug 2020 version), offerors must provide a CAGE code with the offer, and it's "required prior to award." For U.S. entities, the CAGE Branch assigns it during SAM registration. Our SAM.gov Registration Guide: 7 Steps From UEI to Active covers each screen.
2. Do you need your own code but won't register in SAM? The same FAR provision lets an offeror located in the U.S. or its outlying areas request one at cage.dla.mil "if registration in SAM is not required for the subject procurement."
3. Are you a non-U.S. entity? FAR 52.204-16 sends foreign offerors to their country's NATO codification bureau, or to NSPA, for an NCAGE code.
4. Are you looking up someone else's code? Start with the SAM.gov Entity Information search. Fall back to cage.dla.mil when the company isn't in SAM or has hidden its record. Use PUB LOG FLIS Search when all you have is a part number.

One more trigger: FAR 52.204-16 says that when FAR 52.204-17 or 52.212-3(p) requires CAGE codes for your immediate owner or highest-level owner, you must get those codes from the owner entities. Parent companies are where people most often get caught short at proposal time.

How to Look Up a CAGE Code by Company Name

Use SAM.gov's Entity Information search. It's public and needs no login. Enter the company's legal business name and the CAGE code shows on its public record. SAM.gov's public search shows registered entities with their CAGE code, UEI, address and registration status (Contractor/Vendor Guide: Finding My CAGE Code, PIEE).

Steps on SAM.gov

1. Go to sam.gov and click Search in the top menu.
2. In the domain selector on the left, choose Entity Information. The default domain is often Contract Opportunities, which won't return companies.
3. Type the legal business name in the keyword box. Put it in quotes if the name contains common words.
4. In the filters, keep both Active and Inactive registrations in view. A partner whose registration lapsed still has a CAGE code, and you want to know about the lapse.
5. Open the matching record and read the CAGE/NCAGE field next to the Unique Entity ID.
6. Check that the physical address matches the location you're dealing with. Each CAGE code identifies one legal entity at one location (DLA, via search summary of CAGE program pages).

Example

Say a prime contractor wants to add a small machining subcontractor called "Example Precision LLC." The prime searches the exact name and finds two records: one in Ohio, one in Texas. Each has its own CAGE code. The subcontract and the proposal's subcontractor list must use the code for the facility actually doing the work. (This is a hypothetical example. The point is that one company name can have several CAGE codes.)

Pitfalls and fixes

• Searching a trade name. SAM indexes the legal business name, and DBA names don't always match. Fix: ask the partner for their UEI and search that instead.
• No result at all. Registrants can opt out of public display. Opted-out records are removed only from SAM public search and stay visible to federal users with FOUO access. Fix: search cage.dla.mil, or ask the company for a screenshot of its SAM record.
• Copying the first hit. Similar names are common. Always match the address and UEI.

CAGE Code Lookup on SAM.gov: What You Can and Can't See

SAM.gov shows public CAGE codes for registered entities for free. It doesn't let you request a new CAGE code. New codes come from your own SAM registration or from DLA's CAGE system.

Enabling public search puts a registrant's record status, legal business name, and physical address in front of non-federal viewers. Opting out may reduce business opportunities, because prime contractors can't find subcontractors who opted out. If you're a small business hoping to be found for teaming, leave public display on.

Finding your own CAGE code

1. Sign in to SAM.gov.
2. Open Workspace and select your entity under Entity Management.
3. Read the CAGE code in the entity's core data.

If registration is still processing, check SAM.gov's Status Tracker. It shows where your registration stands, and when SAM can't validate your entity you can open a Federal Service Desk ticket from that page.

Pitfalls

• Treating SAM as the master record. SAM displays the CAGE code, but the CAGE record itself is DLA's. If the address in your CAGE record looks wrong, correct it through your SAM registration update (for SAM registrants), which feeds DLA. Don't fix it in only one place.
• Assuming "Active" means eligible. An active registration doesn't mean the company isn't excluded. Run an Exclusions search in the same tool before you sign a teaming agreement.

CAGE Code Lookup via DLA: When You Need the Official Source

DLA Logistics Information Service runs the CAGE system of record. Use cage.dla.mil when SAM.gov has no record, when the SAM record looks outdated, or when you need to request or update a CAGE code directly. DLA describes CAGE Public as including CAGE Search and Inquiry (CSI) and CAGE Request, a single place to search codes, find forms, request a new code or update an existing one.

When DLA beats SAM.gov

• The company has a CAGE code but never registered in SAM. Many manufacturers in the federal parts catalog fall into this group.
• The company opted out of SAM public display.
• You need the CAGE record's status, such as active, obsolete or replaced, rather than the SAM registration status.
• You're a U.S. entity that needs a code without registering in SAM (FAR 52.204-16).

Steps to search cage.dla.mil

1. Open cage.dla.mil in Chrome, Edge or Firefox. The site says it requires cookies and supports those three browsers.
2. Accept the usage agreement.
3. Choose search & inquiry.
4. Enter a CAGE code or company name. Use the advanced search options to narrow by location when a name returns many matches.
5. Open the record and read the status and address before relying on the code.

Steps to request a CAGE code directly (non-SAM U.S. entities)

1. On cage.dla.mil, choose request | update.
2. Search first to confirm your entity doesn't already have a code. A duplicate request creates cleanup work later.
3. Complete the request form with your legal name and physical location exactly as they appear on your formation documents.
4. Keep the confirmation details. Questions go to the DLA Customer Interaction Center at 1-877-352-2255 (number listed on cage.dla.mil).

Official numbers to know (as of October 2026)

• A CAGE code is five characters (DLA CAGE program description).
• An entity with a CAGE code must renew it every five years. For SAM registrants, the required annual SAM renewal keeps the CAGE record updated.
• CAGE program phone: toll-free 1-877-352-2255, commercial 1-269-961-7766 (PIEE vendor guide).

Pitfall

If you register in SAM later, don't request a second code. Tell SAM about your existing CAGE code during registration so DLA links the records.

Free CAGE Code Lookup Tools: Are They Reliable?

Free third-party CAGE lookup sites exist, but only SAM.gov and DLA are authoritative and current. Third-party sites copy public data and can fall behind official updates. Many are built on DLA's public extracts. PUB LOG, for example, is updated monthly and posted on the first business day of each month, so any site built on it can be weeks behind.

Pitfalls and fixes

• The site shows no "last updated" date. Treat it as a lead, not proof. Confirm the code on SAM.gov or cage.dla.mil before it goes into a proposal.
• Upsell pages that look official. Some sites offer to "get your CAGE code" for a fee. FAR 52.204-16 describes free routes through SAM.gov and cage.dla.mil. SAM registration is free, and NCAGE codes are normally issued without charge by national bureaus.
• Stale ownership data. After a merger, the old code may be replaced. Check the CAGE status on DLA's record.

How to Look Up a CAGE Code by Part Number

To find a CAGE code from a part number, search the Federal Logistics Information System (FLIS) through DLA's free PUB LOG FLIS Search. SAM.gov can't search parts. FLIS links each manufacturer part number to the CAGE code of the company that makes it or controls the design.

The full WebFLIS tool is restricted. DLA now limits it to DLA, the Military Services and U.S. government-sponsored contractors. Public users go through the FOIA reading room's PUB LOG FLIS Search (DLA FLIS Data Electronic Reading Room). PUB LOG is DLA's public product for NSN data, FSC data and CAGE codes, offered as free downloads.

Steps

1. Open the FLIS Data Electronic Reading Room and launch PUB LOG FLIS Search.
2. Choose a part number search. Partial part numbers are supported, which helps when the drawing number has suffixes.
3. Enter the part number as printed, without spaces you aren't sure of.
4. In the results, each part number row shows the CAGE code attached to that reference along with the NSN.
5. Copy the CAGE code and look it up on cage.dla.mil to get the company name, address and status.

Example

If a solicitation lists "NSN 5305-XX-XXX-XXXX, P/N ABC123, CAGE 1XXXX" as an approved source (placeholder values), you can do two things. Search the NSN to see every part number and CAGE code cataloged against it. Search the CAGE code to see who the approved manufacturer is. That tells you whether you're quoting as the manufacturer, as an authorized distributor, or as an alternate source needing approval. Our guide RFQ vs RFP: 5 FAR Clues and What to Submit covers how parts RFQs differ from full proposals.

Pitfalls

• One part number, many CAGE codes. Common part numbers repeat across manufacturers. Always pair the part number with the expected CAGE code.
• Monthly data. A part added to the catalog last week may not appear yet. For anything urgent, ask the contracting officer.
• Distributor codes. A distributor's CAGE code identifies the distributor, not the manufacturer. If the solicitation requires the original manufacturer's code, quote that one.

CAGE Code Lookup Tools Compared: SAM.gov vs. DLA vs. Third-Party

SAM.gov is best for quick name checks on registered contractors. DLA is the system of record for all CAGE data, including firms that never touched SAM. Third-party tools add convenience features such as bulk lists, but they aren't authoritative. Match the tool to the job:

A teaming due-diligence checklist (CAGE part)

Before signing a teaming agreement:

1. Confirm the partner's CAGE code and UEI match the facility that will do the work.
2. Confirm the SAM registration is Active and won't expire during the proposal window.
3. Run an Exclusions search on the name, UEI and CAGE code.
4. If FAR 52.204-17 applies, collect CAGE codes for the immediate and highest-level owners.
5. Then check size under the solicitation's NAICS code using our SBA Size Standards by NAICS guide. On set-asides, also check how much work each partner performs with our Small Business Set Aside 51 Rule checklist.

How to Look Up a CAGE Code by Address

SAM.gov's public search has no standard address filter. In practice, search by company name first and check the address on the entity record, or use the location fields in DLA's CAGE search. This matters because a CAGE code identifies an entity at a specific location. The address is part of what the code means.

Steps

1. Search SAM.gov Entity Information by name and use any location filters shown (state, ZIP) to narrow the list.
2. Open each candidate and compare the physical address line by line, including suite numbers.
3. If no SAM record matches, search cage.dla.mil by name and narrow by location in the advanced search.
4. If you have an address but truly no name, use a name from the property's signage, a business license or a state business registry. Then repeat steps 1–3.

Pitfalls and fixes

• Mailing address vs. physical address. CAGE records are tied to the physical location. A P.O. box or registered-agent address won't match.
• The company moved. A move can mean an updated CAGE record or a new code. If the address you hold is old, the CAGE code you hold may be too. Ask the company to confirm.
• Shared buildings. Coworking addresses can host dozens of registrants. Match name, address and UEI together.

CAGE Code Lookup Outside the U.S.: Does Australia (or Other Allies) Use CAGE Codes?

Yes. Outside the U.S., the same five-character identifier is called an NCAGE code. Australian and other foreign suppliers get one through their national codification bureau, via NSPA, not from DLA. CAGE codes are used across the NATO Codification System, where they're sometimes called NCAGE codes. Foreign offerors are directed to their country's NATO codification bureau or NSPA under FAR 52.204-16.

A foreign entity must obtain an NCAGE code before it can complete SAM.gov registration. That reverses the U.S. order, where SAM triggers the CAGE code.

Steps for a foreign company (Australia as the example)

1. Go to the NSPA NATO Codification Tools ePortal at eportal.nspa.nato.int/ac135public and select CAGE/NCAGE Code Request (U.S. Embassy instructions for NSPA NCAGE).
2. Search for your entity first. If it's not found, click Request New, fill in all required fields and submit.
3. Watch for the validation email sent to the point of contact on the request. Click the embedded link to confirm, or the request won't move forward.
4. NSPA routes the request to your country's bureau. In Australia, NCAGE matters are handled by the National Codification Bureau within the Department of Defence (vendor cell contact listed in the embassy instructions: NCB.VendorCellOps@defence.gov.au).
5. Once the NCAGE code is issued, register in SAM.gov and enter the NCAGE code where SAM asks for it.

Pitfalls

• Legal name mismatch. The name on the NCAGE record must match the name you'll use in SAM. Small differences such as "Pty Ltd" vs. "Pty. Limited" can stall SAM validation.
• Ignoring the confirmation email. It goes to the point of contact you named. Use a monitored address.
• Looking up an Australian partner on SAM.gov only. If they haven't registered in SAM, search the NSPA tool or cage.dla.mil instead. Both cover NCAGE records.

Next steps

You can finish most of this today without paying anyone.

Do it yourself today:

1. Search your own company on SAM.gov Entity Information. Confirm your CAGE code, address and registration expiry, and note the date your next renewal is due.
2. For any teaming partner you plan to name in a proposal, run the five-item due-diligence checklist above and save the SAM record and Exclusions results with the date.
3. If you sell parts, run your top five part numbers through PUB LOG FLIS Search to see which CAGE codes the government associates with them.

If you'd rather not do it alone:

• APEX Accelerators (formerly PTACs) give no-cost help with SAM registration, certifications and bid reviews. Find yours at apexaccelerators.us (no fee as of October 2026; check the official page). Good for first-time bidders who want a person to walk through SAM. Not ideal if you need same-day turnaround, since appointments depend on local staffing.
• DLA Customer Interaction Center, 1-877-352-2255 (cage.dla.mil), handles CAGE record questions for free. It's for record problems, not for bid strategy.
• Paid registration services charge for steps the government provides free. They may suit a firm that wants to hand off all the paperwork, but they can't speed up DLA or IRS validation. Check pricing on the provider's own page before you agree to anything.

Related guides on Set-Aside Brief:

• How to Bid on Government Contracts: 7 Steps, 2026 Costs
• Capability Statement Example: 5 Sections Buyers Read First: put your CAGE code and UEI in the company data block
• Sources Sought Notice: 5-Step Response Template (2026)

FAQ

How do I do a CAGE code lookup on SAM.gov?

Open sam.gov, click Search, choose the Entity Information domain and enter the company's legal name or UEI. The CAGE/NCAGE code appears on the entity record without a login. If nothing appears, the company may have opted out of public display or never registered. In that case, try cage.dla.mil.

How do I do a CAGE code lookup on DLA's site?

Go to cage.dla.mil, accept the usage agreement and choose search & inquiry. You can search by CAGE code or company name. DLA's records include entities that never registered in SAM. For problems with a record, call the DLA Customer Interaction Center at 1-877-352-2255.

Can I do a CAGE code lookup by part number?

Yes. Use DLA's public PUB LOG FLIS Search in the FLIS Data Electronic Reading Room, which supports full and partial part number searches. The data updates monthly, so very recent catalog changes may not show yet. The full WebFLIS tool is limited to government users and sponsored contractors.

Do Australian companies have CAGE codes?

Yes. Australian companies receive NCAGE codes, the NATO-system version of the same identifier. They request them through the NSPA ePortal, and Australia's National Codification Bureau at the Department of Defence handles the request. An Australian firm needs the NCAGE code before it can complete SAM.gov registration.

Do I need to request a CAGE code separately after registering in SAM.gov?

No. For U.S. entities, DLA's CAGE Branch assigns the code as part of SAM registration under FAR 52.204-16. Request one directly at cage.dla.mil only if you're a U.S. entity that doesn't otherwise register in SAM.

Sources

• FAR 52.204-16 Commercial and Government Entity Code Reporting (Acquisition.gov)
• FAR 52.204-17 Ownership or Control of Offeror (Acquisition.gov)
• DLA CAGE Public: cage.dla.mil
• DLA: Registration, Renewal, and CAGE Creation in SAM
• DLA: DLA launches new CAGE search, inquiry, request system
• DLA: PUB LOG Public Logistics Data
• DLA: FLIS Data Electronic Reading Room
• Acquipedia: WebFLIS
• SAM.gov Status Tracker
• GSA: SAM.gov Entity Management API
• PIEE: Contractor/Vendor Guide, Finding My CAGE Code in SAM.gov
• Coley GSA: Should you make your SAM profile public?
• U.S. Embassy: Instructions for NSPA NCAGE registration
• NSPA NATO Codification Tools ePortal
• GovTrove: Foreign entity SAM.gov registration and NCAGE
• Wikipedia: Commercial and Government Entity code
• Arkansas APEX Accelerator FAQ
• APEX Accelerators directory

Spotted something out of date or wrong? Tell us at shigoto.ai.note@gmail.com. Guides are re-checked against official sources on a rolling schedule.