The absolute first rule of getting an SBA loan is that you must be a "small business." Check your eligibility here.
Standards vary widely based on your specific NAICS code.
Average over the last 3 years, including affiliates.
Include part-time and full-time. Exclude 1099 contractors.
Your business is considered "small" by SBA standards.
The Size Standards Checker is a compliance tool that instantly verifies if your business is legally eligible for SBA financial assistance. The SBA has strict size definitions that vary wildly depending on your specific industry.
By selecting your industry sector and entering either your average annual revenue or your total employee count, the calculator cross-references your data against the official SBA Table of Size Standards. It immediately flags whether you qualify as a "small business concern" or if you have outgrown the SBA loan program.
To qualify for SBA financial assistance, your company must meet the government's definition of a "small business concern." The SBA determines this using a Table of Size Standards, which maps to your primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.
Size standards fall into two primary categories depending on your industry:
If your business exceeds its specific NAICS code limit, you have a backup plan. The SBA allows you to qualify using an "Alternative Size Standard." You are considered small if your maximum tangible net worth is less than $15 million AND your average two-year net income is less than $5 million.
When calculating your size, the SBA will aggregate your revenue or employee count with all of your "affiliated" businesses. Affiliation is generally determined by common ownership or control. If you own three separate companies, their revenues are combined to determine if you meet the size standard.