There's no single number. Lenders size an offer from your monthly revenue and deposits, how much cash is left after expenses, how long you've been in business, your credit, any debt you already owe, and whether there's collateral. Government programs set hard caps (an SBA 7(a) loan tops out at $5 million), and the amount you're approved for is usually less than the maximum.
By MCAFax. Last updated: October 12, 2026. SBA program caps last checked on SBA.gov on October 12, 2026.
General information, not legal or financial advice.
At a glance
| Funding type | What sets the amount | Published cap or typical basis | Deeper guide |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBA 7(a) loan | Cash flow and ability to repay | Up to $5 million (SBA.gov) | How to qualify for an SBA loan, SBA 7(a) DSCR |
| SBA Express (a 7(a) type) | Cash flow; lender uses its own process | Up to $500,000 (SBA.gov) | How to qualify for an SBA loan |
| SBA 504 loan | Cost of the real estate or equipment project | Up to $5 million, or $5.5 million for certain projects (SBA.gov) | How to qualify for an SBA loan |
| SBA Microloan | Your need and the intermediary lender's review | Up to $50,000 (SBA.gov) | Startup business funding |
| Bank line of credit | How steady your revenue is, plus credit | Set by the lender | Where to get business funding |
| Equipment financing | The price of the equipment | Set by the lender, tied to the equipment | Where to get business funding |
| Invoice factoring | Unpaid invoices from your customers | Tied to your open invoices | How invoice factoring works |
| Grants | The program's own rules, not your revenue | Set by each program | Small business grants open now |
| Merchant cash advance | Your future card or deposit volume | Set by the provider | Merchant cash advance alternatives |
The six things that set your number
1. Revenue and deposits. Lenders look at what actually lands in your business bank account each month, and how steady it is. Bank statements usually matter more than what you say on an application.
2. Cash left after expenses. Revenue alone doesn't decide it. What counts is how much is left once rent, payroll, inventory and other bills are paid, because that's the money that would cover a new payment.
3. Time in business. A longer track record gives a lender more history to judge. Newer businesses often see smaller offers or fewer options.
4. Credit. Your personal and business credit history affects whether you're approved, the price, and sometimes the size of the offer.
5. Existing debt, including any advance. Payments you already owe, including a merchant cash advance that takes a cut of daily sales, reduce the room for a new payment.
6. Collateral. Assets such as property or equipment can support a larger amount, or are required for some loans. SBA doesn't require collateral on 7(a) Small and SBA Express loans of $50,000 or less; above that, lenders follow their own collateral policies, but SBA says a 7(a) loan is not to be declined solely because collateral is inadequate. (SBA: Types of 7(a) loans)
Why approvals usually come in below the maximum
A program cap is a ceiling, not a target. Before approving an amount, lenders test whether the payment fits your cash flow. A common way to say this is debt service coverage: the cash your business has available, divided by all your loan payments. If that ratio is too thin, the lender lowers the amount or says no. For how this works on SBA loans, see our post on SBA 7(a) loans and historical DSCR.
The size of an offer is only half the picture. To see what each dollar would cost you, try the cost of capital calculator.
Published caps by program
These are the maximum amounts the U.S. Small Business Administration publishes. Last checked on SBA.gov: October 12, 2026.
- SBA 7(a): up to $5 million. (SBA 7(a) loans)
- SBA Express: up to $500,000. (Types of 7(a) loans)
- SBA 504: up to $5 million, or $5.5 million for certain projects, for major fixed assets like real estate and equipment. (SBA 504 loans)
- SBA Microloan: up to $50,000, made through nonprofit intermediary lenders. (SBA microloans)
The program rules themselves are in 13 CFR Part 120. Most borrowers are approved for far less than these limits.
How to figure out how much you actually need
Borrow for a specific use, not for the biggest number you can get. Write down what the money is for, what it costs, and how it will pay itself back.
Here's a hypothetical example. A made-up business, a small bakery, needs a new oven and some working capital. Instead of asking for "as much as possible," the owner prices the oven, adds a couple of months of ingredient costs, and applies for that amount. A smaller, specific request is easier to repay and easier for a lender to understand.
When you compare options, start with the cheapest money first. Our guide to where to get business funding walks through that order by situation.
Red flags in "you're pre-approved for $X" pitches
Be careful with any call, text or email that names an amount before anyone has seen your bank statements. A real offer depends on your records, so a big number out of nowhere is a sales tactic, not an approval. Watch for pressure to decide today and requests for upfront fees. The FTC explains how advance-fee loan scams work: legitimate lenders won't promise or guarantee a loan before you apply, and an upfront fee to release an "approved" loan is a cue to walk away.
If these pitches keep coming, see how to stop MCA broker calls and our report on fake pre-approved loan texts.
If the number is lower than you hoped
A smaller offer isn't the end of the road. Depending on your situation:
- Where to get business funding (all options, by situation)
- Bad credit business loans
- Business loans with no credit history
- Startup business funding
- Merchant cash advance alternatives
Next step
Ready to compare your options? Start with our guide: Where to get business funding.
Sources
- U.S. Small Business Administration, 7(a) loans: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/7a-loans (checked October 12, 2026)
- U.S. Small Business Administration, Types of 7(a) loans (SBA Express, collateral): https://www.sba.gov/partners/lenders/7a-loan-program/types-7a-loans (checked October 12, 2026)
- U.S. Small Business Administration, 504 loans: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/504-loans (checked October 12, 2026)
- U.S. Small Business Administration, Microloans: https://www.sba.gov/funding-programs/loans/microloans (checked October 12, 2026)
- Electronic Code of Federal Regulations, 13 CFR Part 120: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-13/chapter-I/part-120 (checked October 12, 2026)
- Federal Trade Commission, What To Know About Advance-Fee Loans: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-advance-fee-loans (checked October 12, 2026)