Free to Use

Business Valuation Calculator

How much is my business worth? Get a fair market value estimate using revenue multiples, EBITDA, seller's discretionary earnings, and discounted cash flow analysis with industry benchmark comparisons.

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Real-World Business Valuation Examples

☁️ SaaS Business — $500K ARR

A SaaS business with $500,000 annual recurring revenue, growing 30% YoY, with 80% gross margins. Industry standard SaaS multiples are 5–10x ARR.

Revenue Multiple Value: $2,500,000 – $5,000,000

With $200,000 EBITDA and 6–10x EBITDA multiple, the business is worth $1,200,000 – $2,000,000 on an EBITDA basis. The blended valuation suggests a fair market value of approximately $2,000,000 – $3,500,000 depending on the buyer's strategic interest.

🍽️ Restaurant — $400K SDE

A well-established restaurant with $400,000 in seller's discretionary earnings. Industry SDE multiples for restaurants typically range from 1.5–3.0x.

SDE Multiple Value: $600,000 – $1,200,000

With $1.2M in annual revenue and 0.5–1.5x revenue multiple, the revenue-based valuation is $600,000 – $1,800,000. The SDE method is typically more reliable for small businesses where owner involvement significantly impacts earnings.

🏭 Manufacturing Company — $2M EBITDA

A manufacturing firm with $2,000,000 EBITDA and $8,000,000 in revenue. Industry multiples for manufacturing are 3–6x EBITDA and 0.5–2x revenue.

EBITDA Multiple Value: $6,000,000 – $12,000,000

Revenue Multiple Value: $4,000,000 – $16,000,000

Using DCF with 5-year projections, 10% growth, and 18% discount rate, the enterprise value is approximately $8,000,000 – $10,000,000. The final valuation range of $6,000,000 – $12,000,000 reflects a balanced view across all methods.

Understanding Business Valuation Methods

Business valuation is the process of determining the economic value of a business or company. There are four primary approaches, each with distinct use cases and methodologies:

1. Revenue Multiple Method

The revenue multiple approach values a business as a multiple of its annual revenue. This is most common for high-growth companies like SaaS and technology businesses where profitability may be secondary to growth potential.

Business Value = Annual Revenue × Revenue Multiple
Example: $500K ARR × 5–10x = $2.5M – $5M

2. EBITDA Multiple Method

EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) measures a company's operational profitability. The EBITDA multiple method is the most widely used valuation approach for established, profitable businesses.

Business Value = EBITDA × EBITDA Multiple
Example: $200K EBITDA × 6–10x = $1.2M – $2M

3. SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) Method

SDE adds back the owner's salary, benefits, and discretionary expenses to net income. This is the standard valuation method for small businesses (under $5M value) where the owner's involvement significantly affects earnings.

Business Value = SDE × SDE Multiple
Example: $150K SDE × 4–8x = $600K – $1.2M

4. DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) Method

DCF projects future free cash flows and discounts them back to present value using a discount rate that reflects the risk of the investment. This method is ideal for businesses with predictable cash flows and growth trajectories.

Enterprise Value = Σ (FCFₙ / (1+r)ⁿ) + TV / (1+r)ⁿ
Terminal Value = FCFₙ × (1+g) / (r−g) where r = discount rate, g = terminal growth rate
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Industry Benchmarks
Pre-loaded with industry-specific multiples for SaaS, E-Commerce, Restaurant, Construction, and Manufacturing sectors. Automatically applies the right valuation range for your business type.
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Four Valuation Methods
Compare Revenue Multiple, EBITDA Multiple, SDE Multiple, and DCF valuations side by side. See the full picture of what your business is worth across all major approaches.
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Value Range Analysis
Get low-end, mid-point, and high-end valuation estimates. Understand the full range of potential sale prices based on industry-standard multiples and market conditions.
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DCF Breakdown
See the full discounted cash flow calculation with year-by-year projections, terminal value computation, and enterprise value derivation. Perfect for investment analysis.

How to Value a Business: A Comprehensive Guide

Business valuation is the process of determining the fair market value of a business. Whether you're planning to sell your company, attract investors, or simply understand what your business is worth, using a business valuation calculator provides a solid starting point for estimating your company's market value. The most accurate valuations typically combine multiple methods to triangulate a realistic price range.

Why multiple valuation methods matter: No single approach tells the complete story. A SaaS company with high growth but low profitability will look very different under a revenue multiple vs. an EBITDA multiple. By comparing all four methods — revenue multiple, EBITDA multiple, SDE multiple, and DCF — you get a comprehensive view of your business's value from different angles, helping you negotiate from a position of strength whether you're buying or selling.

Industry Benchmarks and Multiple Ranges

Valuation multiples vary significantly by industry. Below is a reference table showing typical valuation ranges for common business types. These are general guidelines — actual multiples depend on growth rate, profitability, customer concentration, market position, and deal-specific factors.

Industry Revenue Multiple EBITDA Multiple SDE Multiple
SaaS / Software 5.0x – 10.0x 6.0x – 10.0x 4.0x – 8.0x
E-Commerce / Retail 1.0x – 3.0x 3.0x – 5.0x 2.0x – 4.0x
Restaurant / Food Service 0.5x – 1.5x 2.0x – 4.0x 1.5x – 3.0x
Construction / Contracting 0.5x – 1.5x 1.0x – 3.0x 1.5x – 2.5x
Manufacturing / Industrial 0.5x – 2.0x 3.0x – 6.0x 2.0x – 4.0x

How to Use This Business Valuation Calculator

Follow these steps to estimate your business's value:

1
Select your industry from the dropdown menu. This automatically sets appropriate valuation multiples for your business type. You can also choose "Custom" to enter your own multiples.
2
Enter your financial data in each valuation method tab. Provide annual revenue, EBITDA, SDE, and/or cash flow projections depending on which methods you want to use.
3
Adjust the multiple ranges if needed. Higher multiples apply to businesses with strong growth, recurring revenue, competitive advantages, and experienced management teams.
4
Review the valuation summary showing low-end, mid-point, and high-end estimates. Compare results across all methods and use the DCF breakdown for detailed cash flow analysis.

Key Factors That Affect Business Valuation

📈 Growth Rate

Higher growth rates command higher multiples. A SaaS business growing 30% YoY will trade at 8–12x revenue, while a 5% grower might only get 2–4x. Growth is the single biggest driver of valuation premiums.

🔁 Recurring Revenue

Businesses with subscription or recurring revenue models are worth more because future cash flows are predictable. A dollar of recurring revenue is typically worth 2–3x more than one-time revenue.

👥 Customer Concentration

If your top 3 customers represent more than 30% of revenue, your valuation may be discounted by 15–25%. Diversified customer bases reduce risk and command higher multiples.

📊 Profit Margins

High-margin businesses (70%+ gross margins) trade at significantly higher multiples than low-margin businesses. A 20% EBITDA margin business might get 2x the multiple of a 5% margin business.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SDE and EBITDA in business valuation?
SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) adds back the owner's salary, benefits, and personal expenses to net income, making it the standard for small businesses where the owner is actively involved. EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) measures operational profitability without owner-specific adjustments. SDE is typically higher than EBITDA for the same business because it includes the owner's compensation. SDE multiples (1.5–4x) are generally lower than EBITDA multiples (3–8x) to compensate for this difference.
How do I calculate SDE for my small business?
To calculate SDE, start with your net income (profit after all expenses), then add back: owner's salary and benefits, personal expenses paid through the business (vehicles, travel, meals), depreciation and amortization, interest expense, and any one-time or non-recurring expenses. The formula is: SDE = Net Income + Owner's Compensation + Discretionary Expenses + Interest + Depreciation/Amortization + Non-Recurring Items. This represents the total economic benefit a new owner would receive from the business.
What is a good EBITDA multiple for selling my business?
A "good" EBITDA multiple depends on your industry, size, and growth trajectory. For small businesses (under $5M in value), typical EBITDA multiples range from 2–5x. For mid-market businesses ($5M–$50M), multiples typically range from 4–8x. For larger businesses with strong growth, multiples can reach 8–15x. SaaS and technology companies command the highest multiples, while traditional service businesses typically trade at the lower end. To maximize your multiple, focus on growing revenue, improving margins, diversifying your customer base, and building recurring revenue streams.
How do I choose the right discount rate for DCF valuation?
The discount rate reflects the risk of the investment and the opportunity cost of capital. For small businesses, discount rates typically range from 15–30%. Start with the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) as a baseline: for a small business, this is often 15–20%. Add a risk premium of 5–10% for factors like customer concentration, industry volatility, management dependence, and lack of marketability. A mature manufacturing business with stable cash flows might use 15–18%, while a high-growth startup might use 25–35%. The higher the risk, the higher the discount rate.
What is the most accurate method for valuing a small business?
For small businesses (under $5M in annual revenue), the SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) method is generally considered the most accurate and most commonly used by business brokers and appraisers. This is because small businesses are typically owner-dependent, meaning the true economic benefit to a buyer is best captured by SDE. For a more comprehensive valuation, combine SDE with a DCF analysis and an asset-based approach. The revenue multiple method is less reliable for small businesses unless they have strong recurring revenue. Always use multiple methods to triangulate a fair value range.

⚠️ Important Disclaimer: This Business Valuation Calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. It provides estimates based on industry-standard valuation methodologies and generic multiples. Actual business valuations depend on numerous factors including market conditions, specific deal terms, due diligence findings, and negotiation dynamics. Results should be verified with a qualified business appraiser, M&A advisor, or certified public accountant before making any financial decisions, pricing a business for sale, or making an acquisition offer. This calculator does not provide financial or investment advice.