What Is a CAGE Code and How to Get One

As you set up to do business with the federal government, you will run into a five-character code called a CAGE code. New contractors often worry they have to apply for one separately or pay to get it — neither is true for most U.S. businesses. Here is what a CAGE code is, where it comes from, and how to manage it.

What a CAGE code is

CAGE stands for Commercial and Government Entity code. It is a five-character alphanumeric code that identifies a specific business location to the federal government. It is used throughout federal systems — in contracts, payments, and especially in defense and logistics — to pinpoint exactly which company and facility is involved. Think of it as a federal “address tag” for your business location that agencies use behind the scenes.

Who assigns it

For U.S. entities, CAGE codes are assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). The important part for most contractors: you do not apply for it separately. When you complete your registration in SAM.gov, a CAGE code is automatically requested and assigned to your entity as part of that process. You generally do not need to do anything beyond finishing your SAM.gov registration — see our SAM.gov registration guide for the full walkthrough.

It is free — do not pay for one

A CAGE code costs nothing. Because it is assigned automatically during SAM.gov registration, there is no reason to pay a third-party service to “get” one for you. As with the Unique Entity ID, be wary of companies that market CAGE-code services for a fee — the government issues it for free as part of a registration you can complete yourself.

NCAGE for foreign entities

If your business is located outside the United States, the equivalent is an NCAGE (NATO Commercial and Government Entity) code, which foreign entities typically must obtain before completing their SAM.gov registration. Domestic U.S. businesses do not need to worry about NCAGE — your CAGE code is handled automatically. Foreign entities should obtain the NCAGE first and then register.

How to look up a CAGE code

CAGE codes are public information. You can look up your own code — or verify another company’s — through the government’s CAGE search tools and within SAM.gov. After your SAM.gov registration is active, your assigned CAGE code appears in your entity record. It is worth noting your code somewhere handy, because you will be asked for it on proposals, forms, and registrations with individual agencies.

Keeping it valid

Your CAGE code is tied to your SAM.gov registration and your business information. It generally remains valid as long as your registration is active and your details are current, and it is revalidated as part of your annual SAM.gov renewal. If your business name, address, or ownership changes, update SAM.gov so your CAGE record stays accurate — an out-of-date CAGE record can cause problems with payments and awards. Our guide to SAM.gov registration renewal covers keeping everything current.

Why it matters

For most small contractors the CAGE code is simply something that happens automatically and then shows up when forms ask for it. But it matters: it is how the government and especially the Department of Defense track your facility for contracts and payments, and an accurate CAGE record is part of being a clean, payable, award-ready vendor. The practical takeaway is to complete your SAM.gov registration correctly, note your assigned code, and keep your registration current.

CAGE code vs UEI: the difference

It is easy to mix up the CAGE code and the UEI, since both are assigned during SAM.gov registration. The difference is scope. The UEI identifies your entity across the whole federal government and is the primary key for contracting. The CAGE code identifies a specific business location and is used most heavily by the Department of Defense and in logistics and supply systems. A business with multiple physical locations can have more than one CAGE code but operates under a single entity identity. For most small contractors with one location, you will have one UEI and one CAGE code, both tied to the same registration.

When a CAGE code can change

Your CAGE code is stable, but it is tied to your business name, location, and registration. If you move to a new physical address, change your legal business name, or undergo an ownership change, your CAGE record needs to be updated and in some cases a new code may be assigned. The key is to keep SAM.gov accurate: when your business details change, update your registration promptly so your CAGE record stays correct. An outdated CAGE record attached to the wrong address or name can cause payment problems and confusion on contracts.

Using your CAGE code day to day

Once assigned, your CAGE code becomes a routine piece of information you will be asked for on proposals, agency vendor forms, and registrations with specific buying offices. Keep it noted alongside your UEI so you can supply it quickly. You do not need to share it as carefully as sensitive financial data — CAGE codes are public — but having it on hand makes responding to opportunities faster and signals you are an organized, award-ready vendor.

Setting up without the headaches

None of this is hard, but it is one more piece of a registration where details matter and small mistakes cause delays. If you would rather have your SAM.gov registration, UEI, and CAGE assignment handled correctly from the start, Veteran Forge Strategies helps small and veteran-owned businesses get set up cleanly and ready to bid.

Key takeaways

• A CAGE code is a free five-character federal code identifying your business location.
• For U.S. entities it is assigned automatically by the DLA during SAM.gov registration — no separate application.
• Never pay a third party for a CAGE code.
• Foreign entities need an NCAGE code before registering.
• Keep your SAM.gov registration current so your CAGE record stays valid.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get a CAGE code? For U.S. businesses it is assigned automatically when you complete your SAM.gov registration — you do not apply separately.

Is a CAGE code the same as a UEI? No. The UEI identifies your entity across the federal government; the CAGE code identifies a specific business location and is used heavily in defense and logistics.

Does a CAGE code expire? It stays valid while your SAM.gov registration is active and current, and is revalidated at your annual renewal.