Business Credit Timeline Calculator

What Is a PAYDEX Score?

The PAYDEX score is Dun & Bradstreet's dollar-weighted numerical rating of your business's payment performance. It ranges from 0 to 100, where 80+ indicates payments made on time or early. Unlike personal credit scores, PAYDEX is based entirely on trade payment data — it doesn't consider revenue, industry, or years in business.

A PAYDEX of 80+ is the threshold most lenders and vendors consider “low risk.” SBA lenders typically require at least a 160 SBSS score (which factors in PAYDEX) plus 12+ months in business for their 7(a) and 504 loan programs.

How This Calculator Works

This tool estimates your PAYDEX score based on the business credit building factors you've completed: having a DUNS number, the number of Net-30 vendor accounts reporting to D&B, your business age, and whether you have a business credit card. The estimate assumes you're paying all accounts on time or early.

The actual PAYDEX calculation weighs each trade line by dollar amount — a $10,000 account paid early counts more than a $100 account. This calculator provides a directional estimate, not an exact score. For your actual PAYDEX, check Nav.com (free tier available).

The Fastest Path to PAYDEX 80+

Most solopreneurs can reach a PAYDEX of 80+ within 6-9 months by following this sequence:

1. Month 1: Form your LLC, get an EIN, apply for a free DUNS number at dnb.com
2. Month 1-2: Open a business bank account (Novo, Relay, or Bluevine — all $0 monthly fee)
3. Month 2-3: Open 3-5 Net-30 vendor accounts (Uline, Quill, Grainger report to D&B)
4. Month 3-6: Make purchases on each vendor account and pay EARLY (before the due date — early payment builds PAYDEX faster than on-time)
5. Month 4-6: Apply for a business credit card (Chase Ink Business Cash or Amex Blue Business Cash)
6. Month 6-9: Your first PAYDEX score should appear after 2-3 vendors report 60-90 days of payment history