LEI Data Structure
Technical Overview: The LEI is a 20-character, alpha-numeric string based on the ISO 17442 standard. It is designed to be persistent, neutral, and uniquely identify a single legal entity globally, without embedded intelligence (like country codes) that could change over time.
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Breaking Down the 20 Characters
The LEI code structure is strictly defined to ensure consistency across all LOU: LOU (Local Operating Unit) — an accredited organization that issues/renews LEIs and validates entity data. and jurisdictions.
5493001KJTIIGC8Y1R17
1-4: LOU Prefix
Uniquely identifies the Local Operating Unit (LOU: LOU (Local Operating Unit) — an accredited organization that issues/renews LEIs and validates entity data.) that issued the LEI. For example, 5493 is assigned to the GMEI Utility.
5-18: Entity-Specific
Generated by the LOU: LOU (Local Operating Unit) — an accredited organization that issues/renews LEIs and validates entity data. according to fixed allocation rules. Characters 5 and 6 are reserved (currently "00"). This part contains no embedded meaning.
19-20: Checksum
Two digits used to verify the integrity of the entire code, calculated using the MOD-97-10 algorithm.
Checksum Calculation (ISO 7064)
To prevent data entry errors, the LEI includes a checksum at the end. The calculation follows ISO 7064 (MOD 97-10). During verification:
- The 20-character LEI is converted to a large integer (letters are mapped to numbers A=10, B=11, etc.).
- The resulting number must yield a remainder of 1 when divided by 97.
Level 1 & Level 2 Data Attributes
While the LEI is the identifier, the Reference Data it points to is what provides value. This is categorized into two levels:
Level 1: Who is Who
- Legal Name: Official name in the registry.
- Addresses: Registered and Headquarters.
- Legal Form: (e.g., LLC, Ltd).
- Entity Status: (Active, Inactive, Merged).
- Registration Authority: (e.g., Companies House).
Level 2: Who owns Whom
- Direct Parent: The entity owning the majority share.
- Ultimate Parent: The final entity in the hierarchy.
- Relationship Type: (Control, Consolidation).
- Exception Reasons: (e.g., No parent, opt-out).
Common Data File (CDF) Format
For developers and institutions, GLEIF: GLEIF — the organization that coordinates the global LEI system and maintains data quality in the Global LEI Index. provides the Global LEI Index in the Common Data File (CDF) format. This is a standardized XML schema that allows for seamless data exchange across the financial system.
<!-- Example of LEI CDF XML Fragment -->
<lei:LEIRecord>
<lei:LEI>5493001KJTIIGC8Y1R17</lei:LEI>
<lei:Entity>
<lei:LegalName>EXAMPLE LEGAL ENTITY LTD</lei:LegalName>
<lei:LegalAddress>...</lei:LegalAddress>
<lei:LegalForm>8888</lei:LegalForm>
</lei:Entity>
<lei:Registration>
<lei:InitialRegistrationDate>2012-06-06T15:00:00Z</lei:InitialRegistrationDate>
<lei:LastUpdateDate>2023-10-12T08:30:00Z</lei:LastUpdateDate>
<lei:RegistrationStatus>ISSUED</lei:RegistrationStatus>
<lei:NextRenewalDate>2024-10-12T08:30:00Z</lei:NextRenewalDate>
</lei:Registration>
</lei:LEIRecord>Glossary (4)
- LOU
- LOU (Local Operating Unit) — an accredited organization that issues/renews LEIs and validates entity data.
- GLEIF
- GLEIF — the organization that coordinates the global LEI system and maintains data quality in the Global LEI Index.
- GLEIS
- GLEIS (Global LEI System) — the global framework of rules and institutions that supports issuing and publishing LEIs.
- jurisdiction
- The country or legal area whose laws and regulations apply to an entity or activity.
Leverage LEI Data
Understanding the structure is the first step in automating compliance and risk workflows. See our Lookup guide to search for this data in real-time.