- A SIC code for a limited company is a 5-digit Companies House classification, and you must supply at least one at incorporation.
- You can list up to four SIC codes and change them at any time by filing a confirmation statement.
- The wrong code brings no fines, but it can trip up bank, mortgage, insurance, and R&D tax checks, so accuracy matters.
A SIC code for a limited company is the 5-digit number that tells Companies House what your business actually does. You’ll give at least one when you register your limited company, and you can list up to four if you trade across more than one activity.
Pick the code that best matches your main activity. It isn’t legally binding, and you can change it later, so there’s no need to agonise over getting it perfect on day one.
This guide walks you through finding the right code, what to do when nothing fits neatly, and how to update it after you’ve incorporated.
What is a SIC code, and why does Companies House need one?
A SIC code is the 5-digit Standard Industrial Classification number that Companies House uses to record what your limited company does. You choose it when you incorporate, and it sits on your public record for anyone to see.
Companies House asks for it so the government and the Office for National Statistics can group businesses by sector and track how UK industries are performing. It’s a statistical label, not a licence.
Here’s the part first-time directors often miss: your SIC code doesn’t limit what you’re legally allowed to do. Pick “management consultancy” today and you can still sell a product next year without breaking any rule.
It isn’t only Companies House that reads it, though. Your code quietly feeds into:
- Bank and payment-provider checks when you open a business account
- Mortgage and lending decisions, especially for property companies
- Insurance quotes and risk profiling
- HMRC’s view of your company, including R&D tax relief claims
So while nobody fines you for the wrong code, it’s worth getting right. If you’re still weighing up whether you need to be at Companies House at all, here’s which businesses must register with Companies House.
How do I find the right SIC code for my limited company?
You find the right SIC code by matching your main business activity to the closest entry on the Companies House condensed list. It’s shorter than the full official list, and it’s the only one the incorporation form will accept.
Start with the Companies House condensed list of SIC codes. It’s split into 21 broad industry groups, with more specific trades inside each one. It also helps to search the Companies House register and see how businesses like yours are already classified.
Here’s the lookup end to end, using a freelance designer as an example:
- Write down your main activity in plain words: “freelance graphic design”.
- Search the condensed list for a keyword from that description, like “design”.
- Scan the matches and pick the closest fit. For graphic design, that’s 74100 (specialised design activities).
- Note the 5-digit code, and if you run a second activity, repeat for one or two more.
- Enter your codes on the incorporation form, with your main activity first.
The codes go on your IN01 application alongside your other details. If you want the full picture of what you’ll submit, here’s the documents you need to register a company.
Common SIC codes for UK limited companies
Most small companies land on a handful of codes. These are the ones we see most often:
|
Business type |
SIC code |
What it covers |
|
IT consultancy |
62020 |
Information technology consultancy activities |
|
Software or web development |
62012 |
Business and domestic software development |
|
Management consultancy |
70229 |
Management consultancy activities other than financial management |
|
Online retail or e-commerce |
47910 |
Retail sale via mail order houses or via Internet |
|
Property letting (buy-to-let) |
68209 |
Other letting and operating of own or leased real estate |
|
Dormant company |
99999 |
A company formed but not currently trading |
|
Non-trading company |
74990 |
A company with no significant activity |
If you sell online, use 47910 rather than a generic shop code. Payment providers like Stripe and Shopify expect it, and the wrong retail code can hold up your account checks.
What if no SIC code matches my limited company exactly?
When no SIC code matches exactly, you pick the closest fit, because the list is a broad statistical framework rather than a precise description of every business. Most modern businesses don’t map neatly onto a 2007-era list, and that’s expected.
If two codes both feel close, list them both. You’re allowed up to four, so there’s no harm in being thorough.
What you shouldn’t do is reach for a vague catch-all just to clear the form. The short version is that 82990 (“other business support service activities not elsewhere classified”) describes almost nothing and can raise eyebrows with banks.
List your main revenue activity first. Companies House and most lenders treat the first code as your principal activity, so the order matters more than people expect.
How many SIC codes can a limited company have?
A limited company can have between one and four SIC codes. You need at least one to incorporate, and you can add up to three more if you genuinely trade across different activities.
Use more than one when your company really does separate things. A studio that both builds websites (62012) and sells templates online (47910) has a fair case for two codes.
Don’t pad the list, though. Adding codes for activities you don’t actually do muddies your record and can confuse the very checks the codes are meant to help, like lending and insurance.
How do I change my SIC code after registering my company?
You change your SIC code by filing a confirmation statement with Companies House, either at your normal annual date or early if you need the change sooner. There’s no separate form for it, and one filing fee covers the whole 12-month period however many times you update within it.
The digital confirmation statement fee is £50 as of 1 February 2026 (£110 on paper), so filing online is the sensible route.
Here’s how it works:
- Log in to the Companies House online service with your company number and authentication code.
- Start a confirmation statement.
- Open the SIC code section and add, remove, or replace codes as needed.
- Submit and pay. Your public record updates once it’s processed.
You can file early if your activity has already changed and you don’t want to wait. Filing early does reset your next due date, so check your review period first. It’s the same route you’d use for changing your registered office address or other detail updates, all handled through the Companies House online filing service.
Common SIC code mistakes to avoid
The most common SIC code mistakes come from picking a code that’s convenient rather than accurate. Here are the ones worth dodging:
- Defaulting to 82990. It’s the “other business support” catch-all, and it tells banks and lenders almost nothing about you.
- Using a dormant (99999) or non-trading (74990) code when you actually trade. If you’re earning, you’re not dormant, and the mismatch can flag your accounts.
- Using a physical shop code for an online business. Online sellers should use 47910, or payment onboarding can stall.
- Picking the wrong property code. Buy-to-let landlords use 68209, while developers buying and selling use 68100. If you’re setting up a company to buy property, this one matters for your mortgage.
- Leaving an old code in place after you pivot. Update it on your next confirmation statement so your record keeps pace.
None of these carry a fine. But each can cost you time when a bank, insurer, or lender looks you up and sees something that doesn’t add up.
How Limited Companies helps you get your SIC code right
Picking a SIC code shouldn’t be the thing that slows down your launch. It’s a small detail, but the wrong one can create friction with banks and lenders right when you’re trying to get moving.
When we form your company, we help you match your activity to the right code before the application goes in, so your record is accurate from day one. If your business shifts later, we can update it on your confirmation statement too.
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FAQs on SIC codes for limited companies
Do sole traders need a SIC code?
No. SIC codes only apply to businesses registered at Companies House, so as a sole trader you won’t have one at all. The same goes for ordinary partnerships and LLPs, which aren’t required to supply a code. If you’re weighing up your structure, it’s worth seeing how registering as a sole trader compares before you decide.
Is a SIC code the same as my company registration number?
No. They’re two different things. Your company registration number is the unique 8-character reference Companies House gives your company at incorporation, and no other company shares it. A SIC code is a shared industry classification that many companies use. One identifies your specific company, the other describes the sector you operate in.
Can two companies have the same SIC code?
Yes, and most do. SIC codes aren’t unique identifiers, so thousands of companies in the same industry share the exact same code. Two IT consultancies will both use 62020, for example. The code describes an activity, not a business, which is why it’s completely fine to pick the same one your competitors use.
Where can I find my company’s SIC code after incorporation?
Your SIC code sits on your company’s overview page on the public Companies House register, listed alongside your registered office, directors, and filing history. Anyone can view it free of charge. If you formed through an agent, you’ll usually see it in your online account too. It’s worth checking yours still matches what you actually do.
Do dormant companies still need to file a SIC code?
Yes. A dormant company still needs a SIC code, usually 99999, and must still file a confirmation statement every 12 months even though it isn’t trading. Skipping that filing can lead to Companies House striking the company off. When you start trading, update the code on your next confirmation statement so your record reflects real activity.
Does my SIC code affect how much tax I pay?
No. Your SIC code doesn’t set your Corporation Tax rate or change what you owe. It’s a statistical label, not a tax setting. That said, HMRC uses it to sense-check your profile, so an R&D tax relief claim from a code that doesn’t fit your work can trigger a closer look. Accuracy keeps things smooth.
How long does a SIC code change take to appear on the register?
Usually within 24 hours to a few working days. Once you submit the confirmation statement online and Companies House processes it, the new code shows on your public record automatically. Paper filings take longer. There’s nothing else to do afterwards, and no separate confirmation to chase, so it’s worth filing online for the faster turnaround.
