Table of size standards

The table of size standards can also be found online in the small business size regulations set forth in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.

Certain government programs, such as SBA loan programs and contracting opportunities, are reserved for small businesses. In order to qualify, businesses must satisfy SBA's definition of a small business concern, along with the size standards for small business.

What is a small business size standard?

A size standard, which is usually stated in number of employees or average annual receipts, represents the largest size that a business (including its subsidiaries and affiliates) may be to remain classified as a small business for SBA and federal contracting programs. The definition of “small” varies by industry.

How to calculate your small business size

Size standards are mostly based on the average annual receipts or the average number of employees.

• How does SBA calculate annual receipts?
• How to determine number of employees?

More information

For more information about size standards, contact the size standards specialist at your nearest SBA Government Contracting Area Office. You also can contact the Office of Size Standards by email at sizestandards@sba.gov or by phone at 202-205-6618.

See historical versions of size standards, dating back to 2001.

Important Notice:  

Businesses registered in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) must update their SAM registration in order to have their small business status updated based on the new size standards effective March 17, 2023. Until the SAM registration is updated, the SAM profiles will continue to display the small business status under the old size standards.