Start a Business · Startup costs
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.
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
Recommended next steps
Some links below are affiliate links. If you buy through them, Calcatrice may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. We only suggest tools that fit your result, and a company can't pay to show up here.
$25k to $100k is a typical small business with a location or real equipment. Add insurance and payments.
How this estimate is calculated
- 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.