SBA loan basics
Short answer
A "small business" for SBA loan eligibility is defined primarily by its industry, average annual receipts over three years, or number of employees, which vary by industry.
The SBA has a "Table of Size Standards" that sets specific maximums for revenue or employee count for most industries. To qualify as small, a business must fall within these limits. Lenders use this table and the business's financial data to determine eligibility.
A manufacturing business might be considered small if it has fewer than 500 employees, while a retail business might be small if its average annual receipts are less than $10 million.
13 CFR Part 121 - Small Business Size Regulations
SBA Table of Size Standards
SOP 50 10 - Lender and Development Company Loan Programs
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
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