Business loan calculator

This simple business loan calculator helps you understand the cost of your loan. See monthly interest & repayment amounts, as well as total interest & cost.

Page written by Ashlyn Brooks. Last reviewed on January 2, 2025. Next review due October 1, 2026.

Your loan details

$
months
%

This calculator is intended for illustration purposes only and exact payment terms should be agreed with a lender before taking out a loan.

Your results

Monthly payments

$-

Avg. monthly interest

$-

Total interest

$-

Total cost of finance

$-

Borrow $

Looking to get funding for your business? Business loans are one of the most common ways that SMEs get the cash flow to get started or keep up with growth. Here at Swoop, we prioritize transparency so you know as much as possible about the funding options available and what they all include. Check out our business loan calculator for an estimate of your monthly payments, interest, and more. 

What is a business loan calculator?

A business loan calculator is a financial tool designed to help business owners estimate the costs associated with borrowing funds. With the Swoop business loan calculator, you can simplify complex loan calculations and get clear repayment estimates based on the information you provide. We ask for things like estimated loan amount, interest rate, and loan repayment term to give you what you need to be in the know about your loan cost. 

How do I use a business loan calculator?

To use our business loan calculator you enter your loan amount, the length of the loan (loan term), and the interest rate. Once you’ve made your input our calculator provides the associated loan costs such as the monthly interest, monthly payment, and total interest for the loan term, this process is great for getting a full visual of what a loan could cost you in the long term.

How is a business loan calculated?

There’s a bit of math that goes into a loan calculation, including combining several financial factors, such as; the loan amount, interest rate, and loan term. Lenders use an amortization formula or a reducing balance method to determine monthly repayment amounts. Typically the calculation breaks down each repayment into principal and interest, allowing borrowers to see how much of each payment goes toward reducing the loan balance and how much covers interest charges. 

If the loan has a fixed interest rate, the monthly repayment amount stays constant throughout the loan term. 

How is the interest on a business loan calculated?

A simple interest or compound interest method is used on a business loan to calculate interest. This of course depends on the loan terms set by the lender. 

With simple interest, the lender charges interest only on the original loan amount throughout the loan term. This is calculated using a formula where the principal amount is multiplied by the annual interest rate and loan duration. 

On the other hand, compound interest involves calculating interest not only on the original loan amount but also on any accrued interest from previous periods. As you can see, this method isn’t ideal since it leads to higher overall interest costs, especially for longer-term loans. Ideally, you’d like to look for low-interest business loans from the start and pay less back in interest costs. 

How can this help with my eligibility?

Educating yourself on the factors that go into a loan and the cost of obtaining one is very important for both eligibility and staying within your means. Being proactive with the costs can help you know what you can comfortably afford and factor it into your application decisions.

You always want to consider need and affordability before eligibility. You may be eligible for a much higher loan than you’re comfortable repaying. 

How do I work out how much I can borrow?

Start by looking at your business’s annual revenue. Lenders have a habit of basing loan amounts on a percentage of this figure. Next, check your debt-to-income ratio to see how much of your income is already committed to repaying existing debts. This helps determine how much more debt your business can handle comfortably.

You’ll also want to review your credit score since a strong score shows lenders that you’re a trustworthy borrower. If your loan request is substantial, be prepared to offer collateral, such as equipment or property, to secure the loan. Lastly, take a close look at your business’s cash flow projections to estimate how much extra income you’ll have available each month for repayments.

Of course, this is a generalized approach, there’s no exact universal science since each lender has their own way of determining candidate creditworthiness and what they are eligible for in terms of borrowing power. 

Let’s look at an example of these steps in action. 

How a business’s loan potential changes with credit score and DTI

Credit scoreDebt to incomeMaximum loan amount
High (800)Low (20%)$240,000
High (800)High (50%)$150,000
Average (650)Low (20%)$160,000
Average (650)High (50%)$100,000

Here we have a fictional business, “Summit Tech Solutions,” with annual revenues of $500,000. Initially, Summit Tech had a strong debt-to-income (DTI) ratio of 20% and an excellent credit score of 800. With these favorable conditions, lenders would likely offer a maximum loan of $240,000 — almost half the company’s annual revenue. This is because the business demonstrates low financial risk due to its strong credit history and manageable existing debt.

Now, see what happens if the company’s DTI rises to 50% due to increased liabilities. Even with the same high credit score, lenders would adjust the loan offer down to $150,000. The higher DTI signals that a significant portion of the company’s income is already committed to existing debt, making it a riskier borrower.

Next, imagine that Summit Tech’s credit score drops to an average level of 650 while maintaining a low DTI of 20%. Despite showing good debt management, lenders would still view the company as less creditworthy due to its lower credit score. As a result, its maximum loan offer would be reduced to $160,000.

Finally, consider the worst-case scenario: a DTI of 50% and an average credit score of 650. In this situation, Summit Tech would likely be approved for only $100,000 — less than half of its initial borrowing potential.

5 types of business loans to consider

Growth is a challenge but a welcomed one when looking at your funding options in the realm of loans, luckily, you have a handful to select from. Here are five common business loans to consider:

  1. Term loans: A lump-sum loan repaid over a fixed period with regular payments. This is suitable for large, one-time expenses like business expansion or purchasing equipment.
  2. Lines of credit: A flexible borrowing option that allows businesses to draw funds as needed up to a set credit limit. Interest is only charged on the borrowed amount, making it ideal for managing cash flow.
  3. Invoice financing: This type of financing allows businesses to borrow against outstanding invoices. It helps bridge cash flow gaps while waiting for customer payments.
  4. Equipment financing: Specifically designed for purchasing business equipment, this loan uses the equipment itself as collateral, reducing the lender’s risk and potentially lowering interest rates.
  5. Merchant cash advances: A lump-sum advance repaid through a percentage of daily credit card sales. This option works well for businesses with steady sales but may come with higher costs due to premium rates.

5 alternative funding options for your business

Business loans may not be the best option for every business. You may want to explore alternative options before pulling the trigger on a loan given your circumstances. Here are some ideas to mull over.

  • Equity financing: Selling a portion of your business to investors in exchange for funding. While this doesn’t require repayment, you share ownership and profits.
  • Crowdfunding: Raising small amounts of capital from a large number of individuals, typically via online platforms. This works well for innovative or community-driven projects.
  • Grants and government programs: Various grants and public funding schemes offer non-repayable funds to businesses that meet specific eligibility criteria.
  • Business credit cards: A convenient way to cover short-term expenses while earning rewards or cashback. However, interest rates can be high if balances aren’t repaid on time.
  • Peer-to-Peer lending (P2P): Borrowing from people through online lending platforms, often at competitive rates and with more flexible terms than traditional lenders.

How Swoop can help

Swoop simplifies the business funding process by offering tailored financial solutions designed to meet your unique needs. Our platform connects businesses with a vast network of lenders, enabling you to explore multiple loan options in one convenient place. 

By entering a few key business details, you can compare interest rates, loan terms, and repayment amounts, helping you identify the most suitable funding product. Beyond lending, Swoop’s expert advisors provide personalized support, guiding you through the application process and ensuring that you submit a compelling loan application. Whether you need working capital, equipment financing, or expansion funds, Swoop’s platform delivers fast and transparent funding solutions. 

Ready to take the next step? Check available loans today and unlock the right financial solution for your business.

Ready to grow your business?

Clever finance tips and the latest news

Delivered to your inbox monthly

Join the 95,000+ businesses just like yours getting the Swoop newsletter.

Free. No spam. Opt out whenever you like.

Looks like you're in . Go to our site to find relevant products for your country. Go to Swoop