SLEBITDA

Definition

SLEBITDA stands for Sales Less EBITDA. It is a financial metric used to show the portion of a company’s revenue that is absorbed by operating costs, before depreciation and amortisation are considered.

What it means

While EBITDA highlights earnings generated from operations, SLEBITDA flips the perspective. By subtracting EBITDA from total sales, SLEBITDA focuses on what is left over, essentially the operating cost base required to run the business, such as staff costs, overheads and other day to day expenses.

Lenders and analysts sometimes use SLEBITDA to better understand a company’s cost structure, efficiency and resilience, particularly when assessing affordability and risk in funding decisions.

How it’s calculated

SLEBITDA = Sales − EBITDA

Example

If a business has:

• Sales of $1,000,000
• EBITDA of $250,000

Its SLEBITDA would be:
$1,000,000 minus $250,000 equals $750,000

This $750,000 represents the operating costs incurred to generate that level of revenue, excluding depreciation and amortisation.

Why SLEBITDA matters for funding

• Helps lenders assess cost intensity and operational efficiency
• Provides context alongside EBITDA when analysing cash flow
• Can highlight how scalable a business is as revenues grow

Important to note

SLEBITDA is not a standard accounting measure, and its interpretation can vary between lenders and analysts. It is typically used alongside other financial metrics rather than on its own.

Used thoughtfully, SLEBITDA can offer an alternative lens on how a business converts sales into operating profit, something funders care deeply about.