What is a CAGE code
A CAGE code, short for Commercial and Government Entity code, is a 5-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the United States Defense Logistics Agency to entities that do business with the federal government. It pins down exactly which company manufactures or supplies a given item, which is why it appears throughout defense and aerospace procurement, on drawings, in bills of material, and in supplier records. When two suppliers share a similar name, the CAGE code removes the ambiguity.
The 5-character format
A CAGE code follows a fixed structure. Learn the rules once and you can spot a malformed code instantly.
| Rule | Detail |
|---|---|
| Length | Exactly 5 characters. |
| Characters | Digits 0 to 9 and uppercase letters, excluding I and O. |
| First and fifth | Always numeric digits. |
| Middle three | Any allowed digit or letter. |
The letters I and O are left out on purpose, because they are easily confused with the digits 1 and 0 when a code is read off a label or a drawing. So a value like 8I205 can never be a real CAGE code.
CAGE versus NCAGE
A domestic CAGE code is assigned to a United States entity by the DLA CAGE Program Office and begins with a digit. An NCAGE code, or NATO CAGE code, is assigned to an entity outside the United States under the NATO Codification System and begins with a letter. Both are 5 characters and use the same character set, so the leading character is the quickest way to tell them apart. A foreign supplier on an aerospace program will carry an NCAGE code, while a US supplier carries a CAGE code.
How CAGE codes are used in sourcing
In defense and aerospace sourcing, the CAGE code is the anchor that ties a part number to a specific, approved source. It shows up in several places that matter to buyers:
- Approved sources. A drawing or specification often lists the CAGE code of each approved manufacturer, so buyers know exactly whose part is acceptable.
- Traceability. The CAGE code on a certificate ties a delivered lot back to the entity that produced it, which supports counterfeit avoidance and quality standards such as AS9120.
- Cross-referencing. When a company is renamed, acquired, or has several divisions, the CAGE code keeps the identity of the actual source clear across records.
If you work to aerospace quality standards, see our glossary entries on AS9120 and ITAR for the compliance context that surrounds CAGE-coded sourcing.
Getting authoritative, current data
This tool covers a curated set of publicly documented codes for well-known entities, and it validates the format of any code you enter. For the authoritative and current company name, address, and registration status of any CAGE code, or to search the full registry, use the official DLA CAGE search or SAM.gov. Both are free government resources.
Frequently asked questions
What is a CAGE code?
A CAGE code, short for Commercial and Government Entity code, is a 5-character alphanumeric identifier assigned by the US Defense Logistics Agency to companies that do business with the federal government. It uniquely identifies the manufacturer or supplier of a part, which is why it is used constantly in defense and aerospace parts sourcing.
What is the CAGE code format?
A CAGE code is exactly 5 characters. Each character is a digit or an uppercase letter, but the letters I and O are never used because they are easily confused with the digits 1 and 0. The first and fifth characters are always digits. A code that breaks any of these rules is not a valid CAGE code.
What is the difference between a CAGE code and an NCAGE code?
A CAGE code is assigned to a US entity by the DLA CAGE Program Office and begins with a digit. An NCAGE code, or NATO CAGE code, is assigned to an entity outside the United States under the NATO Codification System and begins with a letter. Both are 5 characters and share the same character set, so the leading character tells you which one you are looking at.
How do I find a company by its CAGE code?
Enter the 5-character code in the tool above. If it is one of the publicly documented codes in our curated set, the company name is shown. For any code, use the official free lookup at the DLA CAGE search or on SAM.gov to see the authoritative, current entity name, address, and status.
Is a CAGE code the same as a DUNS or UEI number?
No. A CAGE code identifies an entity for defense and federal logistics purposes. A DUNS number was a Dun and Bradstreet identifier, now replaced in federal systems by the Unique Entity ID, or UEI, issued through SAM.gov. An entity can have a CAGE code and a UEI at the same time; they serve different systems.
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