What is a CNPJ? Brazil's company registration number explained
A CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica) is the 14-digit number that identifies every company in Brazil, formatted as 00.000.000/0001-00. The first 8 digits identify the company, the next 4 the establishment (0001 is usually the headquarters) and the last 2 are check digits. Each CNPJ record is public and includes legal name, activity codes (CNAE), address, registered contacts, company size, opening date, status and partners. Starting in July 2026, newly issued CNPJs can also contain letters (alphanumeric CNPJ).
CNPJ structure
| Part | Digits | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Root (*raiz*) | 8 | Identifies the company; shared by headquarters and branches |
| Order | 4 | Identifies the establishment; 0001 is usually the headquarters |
| Check digits | 2 | Validation |
Branches share the root, so grouping by root shows a company's full footprint.
What a CNPJ record contains
- Legal name (*razão social*) and trade name (*nome fantasia*)
- Primary and secondary activity codes (CNAE): see what is a CNAE code
- Address, registered phone and email
- Legal nature and company size (MEI, ME, EPP or other)
- Share capital and opening date
- Registration status (*situação cadastral*)
- Partners and administrators (QSA)
Registration statuses
| Status | Meaning | Prospect? |
|---|---|---|
| Ativa | Active and regular | Yes |
| Suspensa | Suspended | No |
| Inapta | Unfit, usually missing tax filings | Usually no |
| Baixada | Closed | No |
| Nula | Annulled | No |
How sellers use CNPJ data
Because every company has a public CNPJ record, you can list Brazilian companies by activity, location, size and age, which is far more complete for SMBs than global databases. See how to get a list of Brazilian companies by CNAE, or use 1Lead to filter the registry and contact companies by email and WhatsApp.
Frequently asked questions
Is CNPJ the same as a tax ID or VAT number?
It is Brazil's federal registration number for legal entities, used as the company tax ID. Individuals use a CPF instead.
How do I look up a CNPJ?
On Receita Federal's website (Comprovante de Inscrição e de Situação Cadastral) or any Brazilian CNPJ lookup tool.
What is an alphanumeric CNPJ?
From July 2026, Receita Federal began issuing new CNPJs that may contain letters in the first 12 positions. Existing numeric CNPJs remain valid.