Introduction
An SBA loan is a small business loan backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. Because the government guarantees part of the loan, banks are more willing to lend to small business owners.1 SBA loans often come with lower interest rates and longer repayment terms than regular business loans, which makes monthly payments easier to manage.
This SBA loan calculator helps you estimate your monthly payment, total interest, and the full cost of your loan. Just enter your loan amount, interest rate, and repayment term to get instant results. If your loan is for buying a business or real estate, you can also add a down payment to see how it changes your costs.
The calculator also figures out two important SBA-specific numbers for you. First, it shows the maximum interest rate the SBA allows for your loan size and term. Second, it estimates the SBA guarantee fee, an upfront fee the lender pays the SBA for each guaranteed loan and may pass on to you.2 You will also see a full amortization table that breaks down every single payment into principal and interest, plus charts that show your cost breakdown and how your balance drops over time.
How to Use Our SBA Loan Calculator
Enter a few details about your loan below. The calculator will show your monthly payment, total cost, interest paid, SBA fees, and a full payment schedule.
Business or Real Estate Purchase: Choose "Yes" if your loan is for buying a business or property. This turns on the down payment field. Choose "No" if you do not need a down payment.
Loan Amount: Type in or use the slider to set how much money you want to borrow. You can enter any amount from $0 to $5,000,000.
Down Payment Percentage: If your loan is for a purchase, set the percentage you will pay upfront. The minimum is 10%. The calculator shows your estimated down payment in dollars below the field.
Loan Term: Enter the number of months you will take to repay the loan, or pick a common SBA term from the dropdown. Options range from 1 month to 300 months (25 years).
Interest Rate: Enter the yearly interest rate on your loan. SBA rates are usually based on the Prime Rate plus a spread. You can enter any rate from 0.25% to 30%.
Maximum SBA Interest Rate: This field fills in automatically. It shows the estimated highest rate the SBA allows based on your loan size.
Estimated SBA Guarantee Fee: This field also fills in automatically. It shows the one-time fee the SBA charges based on the guaranteed portion of your loan.
Press the Calculate button to see your results. Press Reset to clear all fields and start over.
What Is an SBA Loan?
An SBA loan is a business loan that is partially backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The SBA does not lend money directly. Instead, it works with approved banks and lenders.1 Because the government guarantees a portion of the loan, lenders take on less risk. This makes it easier for small business owners to get approved, even if they have limited credit history or collateral.
How SBA Loans Work
The most common type is the SBA 7(a) loan. You can use it to start a business, buy equipment, purchase real estate, or cover everyday operating costs. Loan amounts can go up to $5 million.1 Repayment terms are ten years or less unless the loan finances real estate or equipment with a useful life beyond ten years, and the maximum is 25 years including extensions.2 Interest rates are negotiated with the lender but pegged to the prime rate, and the SBA caps how high they can go.2
SBA Guarantee Fee
When you get an SBA loan, the lender pays the SBA an upfront guarantee fee and is allowed to pass that cost on to you.2 The SBA sets the fee for each fiscal year and publishes it in an information notice, so the amount depends on when your loan is approved as well as its size.2 Smaller loans have lower fees. For example, loans under $150,000 typically have a 2% fee on the guaranteed part. Larger loans have higher fees that can reach 3.5% or more. This fee can be rolled into the loan or paid upfront at closing. Be sure to factor this into your total upfront costs alongside other expenses like closing costs if you are purchasing property.
Down Payments
If you are buying a business or commercial property with an SBA loan, you will usually need a down payment of at least 10%. A larger down payment lowers your monthly payments and reduces the total interest you pay over the life of the loan. For loans used for working capital or refinancing, a down payment is generally not required.
Why Use This Calculator
This SBA loan calculator helps you estimate your monthly payment, total interest, guarantee fee, and overall cost before you apply. You can adjust the loan amount, term, interest rate, and down payment to see how each change affects your results. The amortization table shows exactly how each payment is split between principal and interest, so you can plan your budget with confidence.