SBA 7(a) Monthly Payment
What the payment looks like at a given amount, rate, and term.
Which term? SBA 7(a) maturities generally run up to 10 years for working capital, equipment, and business acquisitions, and up to 25 years for real estate. Per SOP 50 10 8, when a loan covers multiple purposes the term may be blended, or if 51% or more of the proceeds are for real estate the entire loan may be amortized over 25 years.
Max rate. SBA caps 7(a) variable rates at Prime + 6.5% (loans of $50k or less), + 6.0% ($50k to $250k), + 4.5% ($250k to $350k), and + 3.0% (over $350k). Shown using a Prime of 7.00% (as of September 17, 2026); your actual cap moves with Prime. Estimates only, not a commitment to lend.
SBA 7(a) Possibility Calculator
An estimate to get you started.
Start from either number. Type your cash to see what it buys, or type a price to see the cash it takes.
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Powers your DSCR estimate and loan sizing.
Estimates only. Final terms depend on lender underwriting, credit, business cash flow, collateral and SBA SOP requirements. Guaranty fees reflect FY2027 7(a) tiers (loans approved October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027) and may change. Some manufacturers, food supply chain and rural businesses qualify for a 0% upfront fee on loans of $700,000 or less, which this estimate does not apply. ★ Working capital reserve is a rough estimate. Actual needs vary significantly by business type.
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SBA loan data
What approved SBA 7(a) loans actually look like
Across 346,040 SBA 7(a) loans approved FY2021 through FY2026 (to March 31, 2026), 35,004 financed the purchase of an existing business. The median acquisition loan was $685K, and the middle half ran from $300K to $1.5M. Acquisition loans approved from FY2025 through March 31, 2026 carried a median starting rate of 9.00%.
Today, with WSJ Prime 7.00% (as of September 17, 2026), the SBA maximum on a loan over $350,000 is 10.00%.
| Deal type | Loans approved | Median loan | Middle half | Median rate (FY2025+) | Median term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business acquisition | 35,004 | $685K | $300K to $1.5M | 9.00% | 10 years |
| Startup or new business | 117,139 | $175K | $50K to $500K | 9.00% | 10 years |
| Established business | 193,537 | $150K | $50K to $397K | 10.00% | 10 years |
| All SBA 7(a) loans | 346,040 | $195K | $54K to $500K | 10.00% | 10 years |
| Loan size | Loans approved | Median loan | Middle half | Median rate (FY2025+) | Median term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Up to $350,000 | 10,631 | $200K | $100K to $274K | 9.00% | 10 years |
| $350,001 to $1,000,000 | 11,483 | $620K | $486K to $800K | 9.00% | 10 years |
| Over $1,000,000 | 12,890 | $2.0M | $1.4M to $3.1M | 9.00% | 10 years |
Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loan data (FOIA), released March 31, 2026, data.sba.gov. Loan sizes and terms cover approvals FY2021 through FY2026 (to March 31, 2026). Rates are starting rates on loans approved from FY2025 on, which moved with Prime. Middle half is the 25th to 75th percentile.
SBA 7(a) loan questions, answered
What is the interest rate on an SBA 7(a) loan to buy a business?
Most SBA 7(a) loans are variable, priced at the WSJ Prime Rate plus a spread. With WSJ Prime 7.00% (as of September 17, 2026), the SBA maximum on a loan over $350,000 is 10.00% (Prime plus 3.0%). Business acquisition loans approved from FY2025 through March 31, 2026 had a median starting rate of 9.00%, per SBA loan data.
How big is a typical SBA loan to buy a business?
Across 35,004 SBA 7(a) business acquisition loans approved from FY2021 onward, the median loan was $685K and the middle half ran from $300K to $1.5M. The largest 7(a) loan allowed is $5.0M.
How long is an SBA 7(a) loan term for buying a business?
Up to 10 years for the business itself, including goodwill, equipment and working capital, and up to 25 years for real estate. The median term on SBA acquisition loans was 10 years, and 20% carried a term of 20 years or longer, which SBA allows when real estate is part of the loan.
How much down payment do I need to buy a business with an SBA loan?
SBA requires an equity injection of 10% of the project on a change of ownership. Under SOP 50 10 8.1, effective October 1, 2026, at least half of it (5% of the project) must come from sources such as the buyer's own cash or a personal loan repaid from outside the business. A seller note on full standby for the life of the SBA loan, or minority investors, can cover the other half.
What is the largest SBA 7(a) loan?
$5.0M gross. A larger purchase needs more cash, seller financing, or a second source of debt alongside the SBA loan.
Do SBA 7(a) loans have a prepayment penalty?
Only on loans with a term of 15 years or more, and only if you prepay 25% or more of the balance in the first three years: 5% in year one, 3% in year two and 1% in year three. A standard 10-year business acquisition loan has no SBA prepayment fee.
Payments by loan size
Down payment by purchase price
Fees and closing costs
Straight from the SBA's rulebook
The SBA rules behind these numbers
- Can a gift be used for an SBA loan down payment?
- Can an investor provide the down payment for an SBA loan?
- Can a personal loan or HELOC be used for the SBA down payment?
- Can I use my 401(k) or a ROBS for an SBA down payment?
- How much down payment does an SBA loan need?
- Can an SBA loan be assumed by a buyer?
- Can an SBA loan be increased after approval?
- Can an SBA loan have a fixed interest rate?
SBA strategy worth reading
SBA's Size Standards Estimate Collapses From 115,000 to 4,000
The SBA's own Office of Advocacy just revised its estimate of how many new small businesses the proposed size standards overhaul would create, from 115,000 down to 4,000 to 6,000. The comment period is back open. Here is what this actually means.
How to Buy a Business with No Money Down (The Real Answer)
True zero-down is gone, and from October 1 the SBA requires 5% of the injection to be yours no matter how the rest is structured. Here is what still gets you close, and what changes.
SBA's Size Standards Overhaul: What It Means If You Were Just Outside the Door
The SBA proposed expanding eligibility by over 110,000 firms. If you were told your business was too large for an SBA loan, that answer may be about to change.