Am I small? Check your SBA size standard
Short answer
It depends on your NAICS code. Each code in 13 CFR 121.201 has a limit in average receipts or employees. A 7(a) or 504 applicant can also qualify with tangible net worth up to $20 million and net income up to $6.5 million.
- size standards in the table
- 992
- alternative test: tangible net worth
- $20 million
- alternative test: average net income
- $6.5 million
- increase in a labor surplus area
- 25%
Check your size
Find your industry, then enter your figures. The rule behind every result is cited.
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Your result
Search for your industry to see its size standard.
Work out your average receipts from your tax returns
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Next step
Being small is one test. Tell us about the business and we send your request to a lending partner.
Start my loan requestJanover Capital LLC is not a lender and is not the SBA. The lender makes the credit decision. A lender or marketplace may pay us a referral fee if we connect you, at no cost to you. Advertiser disclosure.
How SBA measures size
SBA compares a business with the standard for its primary industry in 13 CFR 121.201. Most industries use average annual receipts. Others use average employees. The number is the most a business and its affiliates may have and still be small.
- Receipts. Generally total income plus cost of goods sold on your federal tax return (13 CFR 121.104(a)). Business loan applicants in operation at least 3 completed fiscal years may use a 3-year or a 5-year average (13 CFR 121.104(c)(4)).
- Employees. All full-time, part-time and temporary workers count, including leased and PEO staff. SBA averages the pay periods of the last 24 months (13 CFR 121.106).
- Affiliates. SBA adds the receipts or employees of affiliates. Ownership creates affiliation, and ownership by spouses and minor children is combined (13 CFR 121.301(f)).
- Timing. SBA measures size on the date the application is accepted for SBA processing, or for delegated loans the date the lender approves the loan. Later growth does not disqualify you (SOP 50 10 8.1, Sec. A, Ch. 1, Para. D.2; 13 CFR 121.302(e)).
The alternative size standard
A 7(a) or 504 applicant over its industry standard can still qualify. Including affiliates, tangible net worth may not exceed $20 million. Average net income after federal income taxes for the two prior fiscal years may not exceed $6.5 million (13 CFR 121.301(b)(2)). Both limits must be met.
Proposed changes are not in effect
SBA proposed new size standards for 338 industry groups and industries on August 20, 2026; the change is proposed only (91 FR 53741). The current table in 13 CFR 121.201 still applies.
Size standards in all 19 sectors
| Sector | Industry group | Codes | Receipts standard | Employee standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 63 | $2.25 million to $34 million | 500 |
| 21 | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 21 | $20.5 million to $47 million | 500 to 1,500 |
| 22 | Utilities | 14 | $30 million to $41 million | 250 to 1,150 |
| 23 | Construction | 32 | $19 million to $45 million | None |
| 31-33 | Manufacturing | 346 | None | 500 to 1,500 |
| 42 | Wholesale Trade | 69 | None | 100 to 250 |
| 44-45 | Retail Trade | 57 | $9 million to $47 million | 100 to 200 |
| 48-49 | Transportation and Warehousing | 57 | $9 million to $47 million | 550 to 1,500 |
| 51 | Information | 29 | $11 million to $47 million | 900 to 1,500 |
| 52 | Finance and Insurance | 34 | $15 million to $47 million | 1,500 |
| Sector | Industry group | Codes | Receipts standard | Employee standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 53 | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 24 | $9 million to $47 million | None |
| 54 | Professional, Scientific and Technical Services | 48 | $9 million to $47 million | 150 to 1,500 |
| 55 | Management of Companies and Enterprises | 2 | $38.5 million to $45.5 million | None |
| 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 44 | $8.5 million to $47 million | 1,000 |
| 61 | Educational Services | 17 | $9 million to $47 million | None |
| 62 | Health Care and Social Assistance | 39 | $9 million to $47 million | None |
| 71 | Arts, Entertainment and Recreation | 25 | $9 million to $47 million | None |
| 72 | Accommodation and Food Services | 15 | $9 million to $47 million | None |
| 81 | Other Services (Except Public Administration) | 43 | $8 million to $47 million | None |
Computed from 13 CFR 121.201. Download the full table below.
Common NAICS codes
| NAICS | Industry | Size standard |
|---|---|---|
| 722511 | Full-Service Restaurants | $11.5 million |
| 722513 | Limited-Service Restaurants | $13.5 million |
| 236118 | Residential Remodelers | $45 million |
| 713940 | Fitness and Recreational Sports Centers | $17.5 million |
| 484121 | General Freight Trucking, Long-Distance, Truckload | $34 million |
| 238220 | Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | $19 million |
| 561730 | Landscaping Services | $9.5 million |
| 238990 | All Other Specialty Trade Contractors | $19 million |
| 721110 | Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels | $40 million |
| 484110 | General Freight Trucking, Local | $34 million |
| 811111 | General Automotive Repair | $9 million |
| 722515 | Snack and Nonalcoholic Beverage Bars | $22.5 million |
| 624410 | Child Care Services | $9.5 million |
| 812112 | Beauty Salons | $9.5 million |
Each link goes to our page on SBA loans in that industry, from SBA's 7(a) loan file as of June 30, 2026.
Common questions
What if my business is in more than one industry?
SBA uses your primary industry. It weighs how receipts, employees and costs split across your industries in the most recently completed fiscal year (13 CFR 121.107). Form 1919 asks for the NAICS code on your tax filings. More on which code applies.
Do my other companies count?
They can. Affiliates are counted when ownership passes the tests in 13 CFR 121.301(f), and interests of spouses and minor children are combined. How affiliation works.
What receipts figure should I use?
Use total income plus cost of goods sold from your tax returns, averaged over your last 3 or 5 completed fiscal years. A business open less than 3 completed fiscal years divides total receipts by weeks in business and multiplies by 52 (13 CFR 121.104(c)(4)).
Does being small mean I can get a loan?
No. Size is one requirement in 13 CFR 120.100. A lender still decides credit, and the business must not be an ineligible type.
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<p><a href="https://www.sbaexpress.loans/tools/am-i-small/">SBA size standard check</a> from SBA Express Loans</p>How to read this
The table is 13 CFR 121.201 as published on the eCFR, current through November 5, 2026. Results compare your numbers with that table. We do not store them.
Sources
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Cite this page: Am I small? Check your SBA size standard. SBA Express Loans, Janover Capital LLC (data as of November 5, 2026). https://www.sbaexpress.loans/tools/am-i-small/
Ask a lending partner about a loan
Being small is one test. Tell us about the business and we route your request to lending partners.
Janover Capital LLC is not a lender and is not the SBA. The lender makes the credit decision. A lender or marketplace may pay us a referral fee if we connect you, at no cost to you. Advertiser disclosure.