🇨🇴 COLOMBIA · TAX ID
NIT validator (free) — Colombia
The NIT (Número de Identificación Tributaria) is Colombia's tax identifier issued by DIAN for businesses and tax-obligated individuals. The check digit uses a Mod-11 algorithm with prime-number weights. This tool validates format and check digit client-side.
Validates locally — your data never leaves your browser. No tracking on input. Format and check-digit validation only.
Validates locally — your data never leaves your browser. No tracking on input.
How NIT validation works
A Colombian NIT has 9-10 base digits plus a single check digit, separated by a hyphen (e.g. 890.903.938-8). Companies typically use 9 base digits; individuals use their 8-10 digit cédula plus the calculated check digit.
The check digit is computed via Mod-11 with prime weights [3, 7, 13, 17, 19, 23, 29, 37, 41, 43, 47, 53, 59, 67, 71] applied from right to left over the base digits. Compute the weighted sum, take modulo 11. If the result is < 2, the check digit equals the result; otherwise the check digit is 11 − result.
Unlike a standard mod-11, DIAN uses ascending prime numbers as weights, which is why this algorithm is unique to Colombia. This tool does not query DIAN's RUT registry to confirm the NIT belongs to an active taxpayer.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between NIT and Cédula?
The cédula (Cédula de Ciudadanía) is Colombia's personal ID number. The NIT is the tax identifier. Companies have a NIT; individuals required to declare taxes have a NIT formed by their cédula plus the calculated check digit.
Why does the NIT use prime numbers as weights?
Using ascending prime weights spreads the digit contributions more uniformly than small repeating weights, reducing the chance of two valid NITs differing by only one transposition. DIAN adopted this scheme decades ago and has kept it.
Does this validator confirm the NIT is registered with DIAN?
No. Format and check-digit validation only. Confirming an active NIT requires a query to DIAN's RUT public service, which is not exposed as an open API.
Can I validate NIT via API?
Yes. Normadata's Verify API validates Colombian NIT alongside RUT, RUC, CUIT and 17 other Latin American tax IDs with a single JSON call.
More resources
Want NIT validation in your app?
The Normadata Verify API validates Colombian NIT alongside 17 other Latin American tax IDs with a single JSON call.
See the Verify API→