If you own or operate a manufacturing business and need your NAICS code, here is your answer right away.
There is no single NAICS code for manufacturing. Instead, the industry is so massive that it takes up three entire sectors: 31, 32, and 33. You cannot use a broad 2-digit sector code on government forms; you must drill down to the exact 6-digit code that represents the specific type of product you make. This page breaks down how the manufacturing sectors are organized so you can identify the exact code that fits your business.
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| NAICS Code | 31-33 (Sector Range) |
| Industry Title | Manufacturing |
| Sector | 31-33 (Manufacturing) |
| Last Updated | 2022 NAICS Edition (Next NAICS Edition will come in 2027) |
What Do the Manufacturing NAICS Codes Cover?
According to the official 2022 NAICS data, the manufacturing sector comprises establishments primarily engaged in the mechanical, physical, or chemical transformation of materials, substances, or components into new products.
To keep this organized, the federal government divides manufacturing into three distinct sectors based on the type of materials being transformed:
Sector 31: Non-Durable Goods Manufacturing This sector covers products that have a limited lifespan or are consumed quickly. It includes food and beverage manufacturing, tobacco products, textile mills, textile product mills, apparel manufacturing, and leather and allied products.
Sector 32: Light/Medium Durable Goods Manufacturing This sector covers products made from processed materials that last longer but are generally lighter or less complex than heavy machinery. It includes wood product manufacturing, paper manufacturing, printing and related support activities, petroleum and coal products manufacturing, chemical manufacturing, plastics and rubber products manufacturing, and nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing (like glass or ceramics).
Sector 33: Heavy Durable Goods Manufacturing This sector covers complex, heavy, or long-lasting goods. It includes primary and fabricated metal manufacturing, machinery manufacturing, computer and electronic product manufacturing, electrical equipment and appliance manufacturing, transportation equipment manufacturing (like cars, airplanes, and ships), and furniture and related product manufacturing.
The important distinction here is transformation. If your business takes raw materials and uses labor, machines, or chemicals to turn them into a finished product, you are a manufacturer. If you just package or sell products someone else made, you are not.
Does My Manufacturing Business Qualify for These Codes?
Your business qualifies for a manufacturing NAICS code if:
- You take raw materials (like wood, metal, plastic, or food ingredients) and transform them into a new, finished product
- You assemble pre-made components into a final product (like putting together a computer from manufactured parts)
- Your main source of revenue comes from selling the physical goods you produce
Your business may not qualify if:
- You buy finished products from a manufacturer and resell them to retailers or consumers, which falls under 42 (Wholesale Trade) or 44-45 (Retail Trade) instead
- You only provide a service to a manufacturer (like machining a single part for them), which usually falls under 3327 (Machine Shops) or 3329 (Coating, Engraving, and Allied Services) instead
- You publish software or media, which falls under 511 (Publishing Industries) rather than traditional manufacturing
When your business sits between two codes, always classify based on the specific product that generates the majority of your revenue.
Where Will You Need This Code?
Your NAICS code appears in more places than most producers expect. Here is where your specific 6-digit manufacturing code will be required:
- SBA Size Standards and Loans. This is highly critical. The Small Business Administration uses your specific 6-digit manufacturing code to determine your “small business” size standard. In manufacturing, this is usually based on the number of employees, not revenue. Being classified under the wrong code can accidentally disqualify you from massive government contracts.
- Federal Contracting via SAM.gov. The government sets aside a huge percentage of contracts specifically for small manufacturers. To bid on these contracts or sell directly to the military, you must be registered on SAM.gov under your exact 6-digit manufacturing code.
- Business Insurance. Insurance providers use this code to calculate your premiums for General Liability, Product Liability, and Commercial Property insurance. A plastics manufacturer (Sector 32) carries entirely different fire and chemical risks than a metal fabricator (Sector 33).
- Tax Credits. Federal and state tax agencies use these codes to verify eligibility for Manufacturing Tax Deductions (like Section 199A) and Research & Development (R&D) tax credits.
- Business Bank Accounts. Many banks ask for your NAICS code when opening a business account or applying for equipment financing.
How the Manufacturing Hierarchy Works
Because you cannot use “31” or “33” on a form, you must understand how the government drills down to a 6-digit code. Here is an example of how a broad sector turns into a specific national industry (using Food Manufacturing as an example):
| Level | Code | Title |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | 31 | Manufacturing |
| Subsector | 311 | Food Manufacturing |
| Industry Group | 3112 | Grain and Oilseed Milling |
| NAICS Industry | 31121 | Flour Milling and Malt Manufacturing |
| National Industry | 311210 | Flour Milling |
If you own a flour mill, 311210 is the exact code you put on your tax return. You have to find the equivalent 6-digit code for your specific product, whether you make t-shirts, circuit boards, or wooden chairs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I manufacture products in my home or garage?
Your physical location does not change your NAICS code. Whether you operate a massive automated factory or cut leather in your garage to make wallets, if you are transforming raw materials into a finished product for sale, you are a manufacturer and must use a code under Sectors 31, 32, or 33.
What if my business assembles parts made by someone else?
Assembly is considered a form of manufacturing. For example, if you buy pre-manufactured computer components and assemble them into finished laptops, you are classified under 334111 (Computer Manufacturing). The government views the final assembly of components into a new product as a manufacturing activity.
Does manufacturing include 3D printing?
Yes. If your primary business is using 3D printers to create new physical products for sale, you are a manufacturer. Depending on what you print, you would likely fall under 332999 (Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing) if printing metal, or 339999 (All Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing) if printing plastics or resins.
How do I find my specific 6-digit manufacturing code?
Because there are thousands of specific manufacturing codes across Sectors 31, 32, and 33, guessing is highly discouraged. You can search a free database like NAICS Code Search and simply type in what you make (e.g., “soybean oil,” “wooden furniture,” or “plastic bottles”) to instantly find the exact 6-digit code that matches your production line.