SBA Loan Calculator
Estimate payments for SBA 7(a), 504, and Express loans with program-specific rate caps and guarantee fees
Get your rate in minutes
No credit score impact
Borrow up to $500,000+
SBA Loan Calculator
Calculate Your SBA Loan Payment
SBA 7(a) rates are variable (prime + spread), adjusting quarterly. Payment shown assumes rate stays constant. Actual payments will change with prime rate moves.
Key Takeaways
- A $150,000 SBA 7(a) loan at prime + 2.75% (currently 9.50%) for 10 years costs approximately $1,940/month with $82,755 in total interest.
- SBA loan rates are capped by the SBA Standard Operating Procedure: prime + 3.00% maximum for loans over $250K, prime + 4.50% for $50K–$250K, and prime + 5.50% for loans under $50K.
- The SBA guarantee fee is a one-time upfront cost based on the guaranteed portion of the loan. On a $150,000 loan, the 75% guarantee generates a fee of approximately $3,938 (at the 3.50% fee rate).
- Loan terms vary by purpose: 7 years for working capital, 10 years for equipment, 25 years for commercial real estate. The purpose selector above automatically suggests the appropriate term.
- SBA 7(a) rates are variable, adjusting quarterly with prime. If the Fed raises rates by 0.50%, your monthly payment on a $150,000 loan increases by approximately $40/month.
How to Use This Calculator
This calculator estimates monthly payments for SBA loans with program-specific rate caps, guarantee fee calculations, and term guidance based on loan purpose. It auto-populates today's prime rate for accurate estimates.
Step 1 — Enter your loan amount. SBA 7(a) loans range from $5,000 to $5 million. The default of $150,000 represents a common small business loan size. The SBA Express program caps at $500,000.
Step 2 — Select your SBA program. Choose from four programs: SBA 7(a) Standard (up to $5M, most common), SBA 7(a) Small ($50K or less, higher max spread), SBA 504 (for real estate and major equipment, uses a fixed CDC debenture rate), and SBA Express (up to $500K, faster processing, 50% guarantee).
Step 3 — Choose loan purpose. The calculator automatically suggests the appropriate term based on use: working capital gets 7 years, equipment gets 10 years, commercial real estate gets 25 years. You can override the suggested term.
Step 4 — Set the lender spread. Your lender adds a spread above the prime rate, subject to SBA maximums. The calculator displays the current SBA maximum spread for your program and loan amount. Most competitive lenders price at prime + 2.25% to prime + 2.75% for standard 7(a) loans.
Understanding the Results
The monthly payment is based on a standard amortizing loan at the calculated rate (prime plus your lender's spread). For SBA 7(a) loans, this rate is variable — it adjusts quarterly based on changes to the prime rate. The payment shown assumes the rate remains constant, which is a useful baseline but your actual payments will fluctuate.
The SBA guarantee fee box shows the one-time upfront cost the SBA charges for guaranteeing a portion of your loan. The guarantee percentage varies: 85% for loans up to $150,000, 75% for larger loans, and 50% for SBA Express. The fee rate ranges from 2% to 3.75% of the guaranteed portion, depending on loan size. This fee is typically financed into the loan or paid at closing.
The donut chart breaks down total cost into principal (navy), interest (gold), and SBA guarantee fee (gray). On longer-term SBA loans, the interest portion can approach or exceed the principal — a $150,000 loan at 9.50% for 25 years generates about $240,000 in interest, more than the loan itself. This visual makes the cost of longer terms immediately clear.
SBA Loan Programs Compared
| Feature | 7(a) Standard | 7(a) Small | 504 | Express |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Loan | $5,000,000 | $50,000 | $5,500,000 | $500,000 |
| Max Rate | Prime + 3.00% | Prime + 6.50% | Fixed CDC rate | Prime + 6.50% |
| Guarantee | 75%–85% | 85% | 40% CDC | 50% |
| Max Term | 25 years (RE) | 25 years (RE) | 20–25 years | 25 years (RE) |
| Turnaround | 30–90 days | 30–60 days | 60–120 days | 36 hours (approval) |
| Best For | General purpose | Microloans | Real estate / equipment | Speed / lines of credit |
Rate caps per SBA SOP 50 10 for loans over $250K. Smaller loan thresholds allow higher spreads. 504 CDC rate is set at debenture sale, currently in the 5.5%–6.5% range.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current SBA loan interest rate?
SBA 7(a) loan rates are based on the prime rate plus a lender spread. With prime at 6.75% as of March 2026 and typical spreads of 2.25%–3.00%, most SBA 7(a) borrowers pay between 9.00% and 9.75%. The SBA caps the maximum spread based on loan size: prime + 3.00% for loans over $250K, prime + 4.50% for $50K–$250K.
How long does it take to get an SBA loan?
SBA 7(a) Standard loans typically take 30–90 days from application to funding. SBA Express loans can receive approval within 36 hours, though funding may take longer. SBA 504 loans are the slowest at 60–120 days due to the CDC component. Pre-qualifying with an SBA Preferred Lender (PLP) can accelerate the standard process significantly.
What is the SBA guarantee fee?
A one-time upfront fee the SBA charges on the guaranteed portion of the loan. The fee ranges from 2% to 3.75% of the guaranteed amount, depending on loan size. It is typically financed into the loan balance or paid at closing. The calculator above shows the exact fee for your loan amount and program.
Can I get an SBA loan with bad credit?
The SBA does not set a minimum credit score, but most SBA lenders require a FICO score of 650 or higher. Some lenders will consider scores as low as 620 for well-collateralized loans. Borrowers below 650 may have better options with alternative business lenders. See our business loan comparison for lenders by credit tier.
SBA 7(a) vs 504: which should I choose?
Use the 7(a) for general purposes including working capital, equipment, and real estate. Use the 504 specifically for major fixed-asset purchases (real estate, heavy equipment) where you want a fixed-rate component. The 504 typically has lower overall rates because 40% of the project comes from a CDC at a fixed below-market debenture rate, but it is restricted to fixed assets and has a longer closing timeline.
Are SBA loan payments fixed or variable?
Most SBA 7(a) loans have variable rates that adjust quarterly with the prime rate. Some lenders offer fixed-rate SBA options at a premium. SBA 504 loans have a fixed-rate CDC portion and a variable-rate bank portion. This calculator shows the payment at the current rate; use the prime rate slider sensitivity to estimate payment changes if rates move.
References & Further Reading
Keep Reading
- Best Business Loans — Compare SBA and conventional options
- Business Loan Calculator — Compare to conventional business loan payments
- Prime Rate Loan Calculator — General prime-based loan payments
- Prime Rate Forecast — See where rates may be heading
- All PrimeRates Calculators