SBA loan basics
Short answer
SBA small business size standards are determined based on specific criteria that vary by industry, typically using either the average number of employees or the average annual revenue over a defined period.
Each industry (defined by NAICS codes) has a corresponding size standard published by the SBA. For example, some industries may be considered 'small' if they have fewer than 500 employees, while others might have a revenue cap of $15 million. Affiliation rules are also considered to aggregate the size of related businesses.
A manufacturing company with 200 employees and $30 million in annual revenue might be considered 'small' in its industry, while a consulting firm with 10 employees and $5 million in revenue might exceed its industry's size standard.
13 CFR Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations
SBA Table of Size Standards
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
Affiliation and Lending Criteria for SBA Business Loan Programs - Final Rule
Last checked 2026-06-13. Official sources control — verify before relying on any rule for a live deal.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 · SBA sources checked through 2026-06-13. DealRoom analysis of public SBA 7(a) lending records (FY2020–present). Grounded in the current SBA rulebook; verify against the official sources above before relying on it for a live deal. Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an approval decision.
More on eligibility & size
Terms in this answer
Pre-qualify your SBA 7(a) deal
Tell us the business, the price, and where you are — we'll point you to the lenders most likely to fund a deal like yours and flag anything that trips up approval.
Free · No documents · Usually same-day