Is 11% EBITDA good?

Asked by: Luther Thompson  |  Last update: September 15, 2026
Score: 4.4/5 (50 votes)

An 11% EBITDA margin is generally considered average to respectable, but its strength is highly dependent on the specific industry and company size. While some sectors like retail or manufacturing find 10–12% to be healthy, high-growth industries like software typically aim for much higher margins (20–40%).

Is EBITDA 10% good?

What is a good EBITDA? The EBITDA ratio varies by industry, but as a general guideline, an EBITDA value below 10 is commonly interpreted as healthy and above average by analysts and investors.

What is a good EBITDA percentage?

You can determine this metric by dividing EBITDA by the revenue of your business. A "healthy" margin varies widely by industry, company size, and stage of growth, but generally speaking, a good EBITDA margin falls between 15% and 25%. And the higher the margin, the greater the profitability and efficiency of a company.

Is 16% EBITDA good?

A good EBITDA margin is basically relative because it largely depends on the industry the company is based. However, an EBITDA margin of 10% or higher is considered good. In fact, a higher margin can often suggest lower operating costs in relation to total revenue.

Is EBITDA basically profit?

EBITDA and gross profit measure profit in different ways. Gross profit is the profit a company makes after subtracting the costs associated with making its products or providing its services, while EBITDA shows earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.

Is EBITDA a good reflection of a company's performance?

23 related questions found

What is a poor EBITDA?

Limited ability to invest in growth: A low EBITDA margin means that a company has limited profitability, which can make it difficult to invest in growth initiatives such as product development, marketing, and hiring.

Is 13 percent EBITDA good?

Is 13% EBITDA good? A 13% EBITDA can be considered good, depending on the industry and company context. EBITDA percentages can vary significantly across sectors. In some industries, a 13% EBITDA margin might be above average, while in others, it might be below.

What is EBITDA for dummies?

EBITDA (Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization) is a financial metric showing a company's operating profitability by adding back non-operating expenses (Interest, Taxes) and non-cash expenses (Depreciation, Amortization) to net income, offering a clearer view of cash flow and making it easier to compare companies with different capital structures or tax situations, but it's not a perfect measure as it ignores real costs like asset wear-and-tear. Think of it as a simplified "scorecard" of core business performance before financing, taxes, and accounting entries.
 

Does EBITDA include owner salary?

EBITDA – The primary measure of cash flow used to value mid to large-sized businesses and does not include the owner's salary as an adjustment.

Is a higher EBITDA always better?

A low EBITDA margin indicates that a business has profitability problems as well as issues with cash flow. A high EBITDA margin suggests that the company's earnings are stable.

What is a healthy EBITDA percentage?

A good EBITDA margin may fall between 15% and 25%, says Simon Thomas, Managing Director of accountancy firm Ridgefield Consulting. Generally, the higher the EBITDA margin, the greater the profitability and efficiency of a company.

What is the rule of 20 EBITDA?

It dictated that a company's revenue growth rate plus its EBITDA margin should be equal to or greater than 40% (20% revenue growth + 20% EBITDA margins = 40%). This Rule was a guiding star for many SaaS CEOs, illuminating the path to balancing growth and profitability.

What is a good EBITDA for a small business?

Generally speaking, a good EBITDA margin for manufacturing businesses falls between 5% and 10%.

How much is a business worth with $200,000 in sales?

For example, a business with an annual revenue of $200,000 and a valuation multiple of 2.5 would have a value of $500,000. However, the accuracy of a revenue-based valuation relies heavily on selecting the right multiple for your business.

Can valuation be manipulated?

High-end items (e.g., watches, cars, yachts) can have valuations manipulated through fictitious invoices or staged private sales. Criminals artificially raise or lower reported prices, disguising illicit proceeds as legitimate gains or concealing true wealth.

Why does Buffett not like EBITDA?

According to Buffett, EBITDA is not reflective of a company's true financial performance due to neglecting capital expenditures (Capex) and changes in working capital, among various other issues.

Is EBITDA of 10% good?

Investors and analysts agree that an EBITDA multiple below 10 is considered good. Then again, this is a broad estimate and could be higher or lower in some industries. Remember that EBITDA multiples tend to skew higher in profitable and high-growth sectors.

What does 10 times EBITDA mean?

10X EBITDA refers to a company's earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) multiplied by 10. It is a valuation metric investors and analysts use the calculator to evaluate and compare companies, especially for acquisition purposes.

Is EBITDA the final profit?

While Net Profit shows the final earnings after all expenses, EBITDA focuses only on operational profitability. Both are important, but EBITDA gives a cleaner picture of a company's operational strength.