SBA loan basics
Short answer
The SBA defines "small" based on specific size standards, which usually depend on your industry and are measured by factors like average annual revenue or number of employees.
Each industry has a specific North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code, which the SBA links to a size standard. For some industries, it's a maximum average annual receipts (revenue) over the past three to five years, and for others, it's a maximum number of employees.
A restaurant might have a size standard of $8 million in average annual receipts. If a restaurant applying for a loan has averaged $7 million over the past three years, it would qualify as "small" based on revenue.
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.
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