What EBITDA multiple should I use in 2026?

EBITDA multiples vary significantly by industry and company size. SaaS: 12x to 25x. Technology services: 8x to 15x. Healthcare: 8x to 14x. Manufacturing: 5x to 8x. Retail: 4x to 8x. Construction: 3x to 6x. Within each range, higher multiples apply to larger, faster-growing, more profitable companies.

Which valuation method is best?

No single method is universally best. EBITDA multiples are the standard for most established businesses. Revenue multiples suit high-growth, pre-profit companies. DCF is the most theoretically rigorous but highly sensitive to assumptions. Asset-based provides a floor value. Using multiple methods and comparing results gives the most reliable estimate.

What is the difference between SDE and EBITDA?

Seller Discretionary Earnings (SDE) adds back the owner salary and benefits to EBITDA, representing the total economic benefit to a single owner-operator. SDE is used for small businesses (under $1M in earnings) while EBITDA is standard for mid-market and larger companies where management is separate from ownership.

How does company size affect multiples?

Larger companies command higher multiples due to lower risk, diversified revenue, professional management, and greater buyer demand. A business with $500,000 EBITDA might sell for 4x while one with $5,000,000 EBITDA in the same industry might sell for 7x. This is called the size premium.

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Business Valuation Calculator

Estimate business value using four methods: EBITDA multiple, revenue multiple, discounted cash flow (DCF), and asset-based valuation with 2026 industry multiples by sector.

Business Financial Details

Annual Revenue ($)

Revenue Growth Rate (%)

Annual EBITDA ($)

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization

Industry

Custom EBITDA Multiple

Custom Revenue Multiple

Asset-Based Valuation

Total Assets ($)

Total Liabilities ($)

DCF Parameters

Discount Rate (%)

WACC or required return

Projected Cash Flow Growth (%)

Projection Period (years)

Terminal Growth Rate (%)

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Introduction

This Business Valuation is designed for professionals who need accurate and reliable calculations in their daily work. Whether you are planning finances, managing projects, or making critical business decisions, having the right numbers at your fingertips is essential. This tool provides instant results based on proven formulas, saving you time and reducing the risk of manual calculation errors. By using this calculator, you can focus on analysis and decision-making rather than spending time on complex computations. The interface is straightforward and designed for practical use, ensuring that you get the information you need quickly and efficiently.

What This Calculator Does

This business valuation calculator estimates the value of a business using four widely used methods: EBITDA multiple, revenue multiple, discounted cash flow (DCF), and asset-based valuation. It includes 2026 industry-specific EBITDA and revenue multiples for 12 sectors, from SaaS (12x to 25x EBITDA) to construction (3x to 6x EBITDA). The DCF model projects cash flows over a customizable period with a terminal value calculation using the Gordon Growth Model. The calculator produces a blended average across all applicable methods to provide a balanced estimate.

The Formula

EBITDA Method: Value = EBITDA x Industry Multiple | Revenue Method: Value = Revenue x Revenue Multiple | DCF: Value = Sum of (CF / (1+r)^n) + Terminal Value PV | Asset-Based: Value = Total Assets - Total Liabilities

The EBITDA multiple method is the most common approach for profitable businesses, applying an industry-specific multiple to annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. The revenue multiple method is preferred for high-growth companies or those with depressed earnings. The DCF method projects future cash flows and discounts them to present value using a weighted average cost of capital (WACC). The asset-based method provides a floor value equal to net assets. The blended average weights all applicable methods equally.

Step-by-Step Example

Enter financial data

Professional services firm with $2,000,000 annual revenue, $400,000 EBITDA, and $800,000 in net assets.

EBITDA multiple valuation

Industry range: 5x to 10x EBITDA. Low: $2,000,000. Mid: $3,000,000. High: $4,000,000.

Revenue multiple valuation

Industry range: 0.8x to 2x revenue. Low: $1,600,000. Mid: $2,800,000. High: $4,000,000.

DCF and blended result

DCF at 12% WACC with 5% growth: $3,200,000. Asset-based: $800,000. Blended average of all four methods: $2,450,000.

Real-World Use Cases

Exit Planning

Business owners preparing to sell use multiple valuation methods to understand the likely range of offers and set realistic asking prices based on current market multiples.

Investment Analysis

Investors and acquirers evaluate target companies by comparing EBITDA multiples to industry norms. A business priced at 3x EBITDA in a 6x industry may represent a value opportunity.

Partnership Buyouts

When one partner exits a business, an agreed-upon valuation method (often EBITDA multiple or DCF) determines the fair buyout price.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using revenue multiples for profitable businesses. Revenue multiples are primarily used for high-growth, pre-profit companies (especially SaaS). For profitable businesses, EBITDA multiples are standard and more accurate.
Applying public company multiples to private businesses. Public companies trade at premiums due to liquidity. Private business multiples are typically 20% to 40% lower than public comparables.
Not adjusting EBITDA for owner compensation. In small businesses, owner salary, perks, and one-time expenses should be normalized to calculate seller discretionary earnings (SDE) or adjusted EBITDA.
Ignoring the discount rate sensitivity in DCF. A 2% change in discount rate can move DCF valuations by 20% to 30%. Always run sensitivity analysis across a range of discount rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Accuracy and Disclaimer

Business valuations are estimates based on financial inputs and industry multiples. Actual transaction values depend on market conditions, buyer motivations, negotiation, due diligence findings, deal structure, and many other factors. This calculator is for educational and planning purposes. Consult a professional business appraiser (ASA, CVA, or ABV credentialed) for formal valuations used in transactions, litigation, or tax purposes.

Conclusion

This calculator provides a reliable way to perform essential calculations for your professional needs. The results are based on standard formulas and should be used as estimates for planning and analysis purposes. For critical decisions, especially those involving financial, legal, or medical matters, it is always advisable to verify results with a qualified professional. Use this tool as part of your broader decision-making process, and explore related calculators on this platform to support your comprehensive planning needs. Regular use of accurate calculation tools helps ensure consistency and precision in your professional work.