Free tool · no sign-up

CPV code finder

Describe what your organisation does in your own words and get the CPV codes that match. Each code shows how often UK public buyers actually use it, so you can pick the ones that find real tenders.

All 9,454 official CPV codes, ranked by use on UK public contracts, updated 23 September 2026.

Try:

The basics

What is a CPV code?

A CPV code is an eight-digit number that says what a public contract is buying. CPV stands for Common Procurement Vocabulary. UK buyers put CPV codes on their notices on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder, and tender alert services use them to decide which notices to send you.

The codes are hierarchical. The first two digits give the division, and each extra digit narrows it down, so a broad code also covers every more specific code beneath it.

How 79416000 (public relations services) is built
LevelDigitsCode and name
Division7979000000 Business services: law, marketing, consulting, recruitment, printing and security
Group79479400000 Business and management consultancy and related services
Class794179410000 Business and management consultancy services
Category7941679416000 Public relations services

Choosing codes

How to choose the right CPV codes

  1. Describe the work, not your organisation. Buyers classify what they are buying, so start from the service or product.
  2. Prefer codes buyers actually use. A code on hundreds of recent UK contracts finds more tenders than one buyers rarely pick.
  3. Mix broad and specific. A group code catches loosely classified notices; specific codes describe you precisely. Three to ten codes suits most suppliers.
  4. Add keywords too. Buyers are inconsistent with codes, so keywords catch the notices codes alone would miss.

From UK contract data

The 90 most used CPV codes in UK public contracts

Counted across contract awards on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder since 2023, including the more specific codes beneath each one.

  1. 79400000Business and management consultancy and related services8,326
  2. 45200000Works for complete or part construction and civil engineering work7,847
  3. 72200000Software programming and consultancy services6,668
  4. 71300000Engineering services6,266
  5. 60100000Road transport services5,223
  6. 79420000Management-related services4,343
  7. 79421000Project-management services other than for construction work4,293
  8. 79421100Project-supervision services other than for construction work4,207
  9. 71310000Consultative engineering and construction services4,059
  10. 79600000Recruitment services4,021
  11. 72220000Systems and technical consultancy services3,282
  12. 34100000Motor vehicles3,068
  13. 79410000Business and management consultancy services2,855
  14. 60120000Taxi services2,805
  15. 79300000Market and economic research; polling and statistics2,704
  16. 45210000Building construction work2,699
  17. 45300000Building installation work2,625
  18. 60170000Hire of passenger transport vehicles with driver2,625
  19. 79900000Miscellaneous business and business-related services2,501
  20. 45400000Building completion work2,447
  21. 85100000Health services2,279
  22. 45230000Construction work for pipelines, communication and power lines, for highways, roads, airfields and railways; flatwork2,242
  23. 33100000Medical equipments2,138
  24. 73200000Research and development consultancy services2,105
  25. 79100000Legal services2,049
  26. 72260000Software-related services2,017
  27. 79620000Supply services of personnel including temporary staff1,998
  28. 80500000Training services1,971
  29. 71500000Construction-related services1,803
  30. 30200000Computer equipment and supplies1,750
  31. 45260000Roof works and other special trade construction works1,582
  32. 71311000Civil engineering consultancy services1,508
  33. 45233000Construction, foundation and surface works for highways, roads1,507
  34. 90700000Environmental services1,500
  35. 85300000Social work and related services1,461
  36. 45450000Other building completion work1,433
  37. 72222000Information systems or technology strategic review and planning services1,395
  38. 50400000Repair and maintenance services of medical and precision equipment1,379
  39. 79310000Market research services1,340
  40. 73100000Research and experimental development services1,333
  41. 48100000Industry specific software package1,277
  42. 45100000Site preparation work1,266
  43. 34900000Miscellaneous transport equipment and spare parts1,253
  44. 79340000Advertising and marketing services1,246
  45. 73110000Research services1,223
  46. 71350000Engineering-related scientific and technical services1,192
  47. 72222300Information technology services1,188
  48. 44100000Construction materials and associated items1,177
  49. 71200000Architectural and related services1,171
  50. 48500000Communication and multimedia software package1,157
  51. 72224000Project management consultancy services1,152
  52. 45453000Overhaul and refurbishment work1,149
  53. 45110000Building demolition and wrecking work and earthmoving work1,114
  54. 50420000Repair and maintenance services of medical and surgical equipment1,098
  55. 79200000Accounting, auditing and fiscal services1,085
  56. 98300000Miscellaneous services1,074
  57. 45310000Electrical installation work1,068
  58. 71315000Building services1,065
  59. 71530000Construction consultancy services1,062
  60. 66100000Banking and investment services1,056
  61. 45453100Refurbishment work1,051
  62. 48510000Communication software package1,028
  63. 45233200Various surface works1,016
  64. 71600000Technical testing, analysis and consultancy services1,016
  65. 72300000Data services1,011
  66. 90900000Cleaning and sanitation services1,009
  67. 44200000Structural products1,005
  68. 48200000Networking, Internet and intranet software package985
  69. 72210000Programming services of packaged software products951
  70. 44110000Construction materials948
  71. 32400000Networks945
  72. 79210000Accounting and auditing services944
  73. 71311200Transport systems consultancy services936
  74. 48517000IT software package919
  75. 72212000Programming services of application software910
  76. 34920000Road equipment903
  77. 50700000Repair and maintenance services of building installations887
  78. 66500000Insurance and pension services887
  79. 60112000Public road transport services879
  80. 39100000Furniture855
  81. 34110000Passenger cars854
  82. 90710000Environmental management843
  83. 90500000Refuse and waste related services842
  84. 79990000Miscellaneous business-related services835
  85. 34600000Railway and tramway locomotives and rolling stock and associated parts831
  86. 35100000Emergency and security equipment826
  87. 90910000Cleaning services823
  88. 45262000Special trade construction works other than roof works818
  89. 34620000Rolling stock811
  90. 34621000Railway maintenance or service vehicles, and railway freight wagons805

Browse

All 45 CPV divisions

Questions

CPV codes explained

What is a CPV code?

A CPV (Common Procurement Vocabulary) code is an eight-digit number that classifies what a public contract is buying, such as 79416000 for public relations services or 90910000 for cleaning services. UK buyers put CPV codes on their notices on Find a Tender and Contracts Finder, so suppliers use them to search for and filter relevant tenders.

How many CPV codes are there?

The CPV 2008 vocabulary has 9,454 codes, arranged in 45 divisions. Each division, such as 72000000 for IT services, splits into groups, classes and categories that get more specific as more digits are used.

How do I find the right CPV code for my business?

Describe what you supply in plain words, not your company name, and look at which codes UK buyers actually use for that work. A code used on hundreds of recent contracts will find far more tenders than a very narrow code that buyers rarely choose. Most suppliers need between three and ten codes.

What does the number after the dash in a CPV code mean?

Codes are sometimes written with a check digit, for example 79416000-3. The check digit only guards against typing errors. The eight digits before the dash identify the code, and searches work the same with or without it.

Should I use a broad CPV code or a specific one?

Use both. A broad code such as a division or group catches contracts that buyers classified loosely, and specific codes describe exactly what you do. Buyers are inconsistent, so keywords alongside codes find the notices that codes alone miss.

Is this CPV code finder free?

Yes. The finder and every CPV code page are free to use with no sign-up. Tender Radar is a paid service that emails you the new tenders matching your codes and keywords each weekday morning, with a 30-day free trial.

Found your codes? Get the tenders that use them

Tender Radar reads every new UK public sector notice each morning and sends you the ones that match your codes and keywords, scored for how well they fit. 30 days free.

Start your free trialSee pricing

30 days free. No card required to start.