{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-sba-table-of-size-standards-and-why-is-it-important","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/questions/what-is-the-sba-table-of-size-standards-and-why-is-it-important","question":"What is the 'SBA Table of Size Standards' and why is it important?","topic":"Eligibility & size","audience":"new","bot_mode":"buyer","short_answer":"The SBA Table of Size Standards is a detailed list that defines what qualifies as a 'small business' for eligibility purposes, based on industry-specific revenue or employee limits.","rule":"Each industry (identified by a NAICS code) has a specific size standard, either a maximum average annual receipts amount or a maximum number of employees. Businesses exceeding these thresholds are generally not eligible for SBA loans.","example":"A software development company checks the SBA Table of Size Standards for its NAICS code (e.g., 541511). If the standard is $34 million in average annual receipts, and their business has $30 million, they qualify as small.","what_lenders_check":"Lenders must accurately determine the primary NAICS code for the business and verify its compliance with the corresponding size standard. This is a fundamental eligibility check.","required_facts":["Defines small business","Industry-specific","Revenue limits","Employee limits","NAICS code","Eligibility"],"source_families":["SBA Table of Size Standards","13 CFR Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations","SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs"],"official_sources":[{"title":"SBA Table of Size Standards","url":"https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards"},{"title":"13 CFR Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations","url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-121"},{"title":"SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs","url":"https://www.sba.gov/sites/default/files/2025-05/SOP%2050%2010%208%20Technical%20Updates%20effective%206.1.2025.docx"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can I use an SBA 7(a) loan to acquire a business that previously used an SBA loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-i-use-an-sba-7-a-loan-to-acquire-a-business-that-previously-used-an-sba-loan"},{"question":"How does the SBA define \"affiliation\" when considering my eligibility for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/how-does-the-sba-define-affiliation-when-considering-my-eligibility-for-a-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Can an SBA 7(a) loan be used to purchase a business that is a startup or has limited operating history?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-an-sba-7-a-loan-be-used-to-purchase-a-business-that-is-a-startup-or-has-limited-operat"},{"question":"Are there specific types of businesses that are ineligible for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/are-there-specific-types-of-businesses-that-are-ineligible-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"What types of businesses are generally eligible to apply for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-types-of-businesses-are-generally-eligible-to-apply-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"},{"question":"Do businesses that primarily generate passive income qualify for an SBA 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/do-businesses-that-primarily-generate-passive-income-qualify-for-an-sba-7-a-loan"}],"related_terms":[{"term":"Size Eligibility","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/size-eligibility"},{"term":"Small Business Size Standards","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/small-business-size-standards"},{"term":"Employee-Based Size Standards","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/employee-based-size-standards"},{"term":"Industry-Specific Size Standards","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/industry-specific-size-standards"},{"term":"size and use of proceeds requirement","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/size-and-use-of-proceeds-requirement"},{"term":"SBA size determination","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/sba-size-determination"}],"related_tools":[{"name":"SBA 7(a) payment & fee calculator","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/calculator"},{"name":"Find an active SBA 7(a) lender","url":"https://dealroom.so/lenders"}],"data_freshness":{"last_reviewed":"2026-06-13","sba_rule_sources_checked_through":"2026-06-13"},"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so SBA 7(a) Q&A","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/what-is-the-sba-table-of-size-standards-and-why-is-it-important","source_type":"DealRoom Q&A"},"caveats":["Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against official sources before relying on it for a live deal.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice and not an approval decision."]}