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Start a Business Formation

Business startup cost calculator

Add up what it will really cost to start your business. Fill in the categories that apply, and see a total, a sensible range, and where the money goes. Not sure which numbers to use? The defaults are typical for a small business with a location.

§ 01 Your numbers

Change anything. The answer updates as you type.

Whatever you need to actually do the work: machines, tools, computers, vehicles.
Deposit, first months of rent, and any fit-out. Zero if you work from home.
Product or materials you need on hand to open. Zero for most service businesses.
Business registration, local permits, and any industry licenses.
Website, payment processing, and the software you run on.
Logo, signage, and enough marketing to get your first customers.
General liability, plus any coverage your industry requires.
Accountant, lawyer, or setup help to start clean.
Months of operating cash before the business pays for itself.
Rough monthly running cost once you are open.
Estimated cost
$76,500

Typical range $61,200 – $99,450

  • Equipment & tools$15,000
  • Space: deposit & buildout$20,000
  • Inventory / initial stock$8,000
  • Licenses, permits & LLC$2,000
  • Website, POS & software$3,000
  • Branding & marketing$6,000
  • Insurance (year 1)$2,500
  • Professional services$2,000
  • Working-capital buffer$18,000
  • Total$76,500
See next steps →

What this assumes, and where it could be wrong

Every one of these is a place the number could be off. They are here because you should be able to check our working, not because we are hedging.

WHAT IS SOURCED HERE, AND WHAT IS NOT.
This page has NO revenue or margin figures at all, and it used to claim it did. There is no earnings model here: it prices what it costs to OPEN a business, and it does not tell you what one earns, because that depends entirely on which business you open. The per-industry pages do carry sourced revenue, and this one simply should not have said so

Startup cost depends far more on your type of business than on anything else. An online or service business can start for a few thousand dollars; a restaurant or retail store runs into six figures.

The working-capital buffer is the line most people skip. Very few businesses cover their own costs in the first month, so budget cash to bridge the gap.

If you work from home and sell a service, you can zero out the space and inventory lines and the total drops sharply.

The range around your total reflects how much prices, your location, and your choices can move the real number.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to start a business?
It varies more than almost any other business question. Many small businesses start for $10,000 to $50,000, but a home-based service business can start for under $5,000, and a restaurant or retail store can run past $250,000. The calculator above adds up your specific categories.
What are the main startup costs?
The usual categories are equipment and tools, space (deposit and buildout), inventory, licenses and registration, technology and website, branding and marketing, insurance, professional help, and a working-capital cushion for the first few months.
Can I deduct business startup costs on my taxes?
In the US, you can generally deduct up to $5,000 of startup costs in your first year, with the deduction reduced if total startup costs pass $50,000, and the rest amortized over 15 years (IRS Section 195). Rules change and your situation matters, so confirm with a tax professional.
How much working capital do I need?
A common rule of thumb is three to six months of operating costs set aside. The point is to keep the business running while revenue ramps up, not to run out of cash right after opening.

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