Free SBA & Business Loan Calculators

How SBA Financing Actually Works

The U.S. Small Business Administration doesn't lend money directly for its two flagship programs. Instead, a participating bank or non-bank lender funds the loan, and the SBA guarantees a portion of it — which lowers the lender's risk and makes approval realistic for businesses that might not qualify for a purely conventional loan. The 7(a) program is the flexible, general-purpose option: working capital, equipment, inventory, refinancing, and business acquisitions are all common uses, up to a program maximum of $5 million. The 504 program is narrower by design — it finances major fixed assets such as owner-occupied real estate or heavy equipment through a bank portion plus a Certified Development Company (CDC) debenture, and it cannot be used for working capital or inventory. There's also the SBA Microloan program for smaller amounts (typically under $50,000) issued through nonprofit intermediary lenders, and SBA Express, a faster-turnaround variant of 7(a) with an expedited SBA response time. Read the full 7(a) vs. 504 comparison →

What Determines Your Numbers

Every calculator on this site is built from the same three inputs lenders actually look at: the loan or project amount, the interest rate and term you expect (or a lender quotes you), and — for 7(a) loans — the SBA's tiered guaranty fee schedule. None of these calculators access live lender data or your credit profile; they compute standard amortization math against the figures you provide, so they're only as accurate as the assumptions you enter. See the full FAQ →

Before You Apply

• Confirm current rates, fees, and program limits directly with an SBA-approved lender or at sba.gov — fee schedules and rate caps are set by fiscal year and can change.
• Check your debt service coverage ratio before you apply — it's typically the first number an SBA lender screens for.
• Decide between 7(a) and 504 based on what the money is actually for, not just which has the lower headline rate — 504 can't fund working capital at all.

General program facts above (7(a) uses and the $5 million cap; 504's fixed-asset restriction, term structure, and $5.5 million cap) reflect the SBA's own published program descriptions. Specific current-year rates, fees, and dollar limits change by fiscal year — always confirm the current figures at sba.gov or with a participating lender before relying on any number for a real financing decision.