Enterprise Value Calculator

Calculate enterprise value (EV) from market cap, debt, and cash. Compute EV/EBITDA, EV/Revenue multiples and compare against sector benchmarks.

About the Enterprise Value Calculator

Enterprise value estimates the cost of buying the entire business, not just the equity slice shown by market capitalization.

The calculation adds debt, subtracts cash, and optionally includes preferred stock or minority interest so the result reflects the full capital structure. The calculator also derives EV/EBITDA and EV/Revenue multiples, which are the more common comparison tools once you want to benchmark one company against another.

That makes it useful whenever leverage or cash materially changes the way a company should be valued.

Why Use This Enterprise Value Calculator?

Market cap alone can make two companies look more similar than they really are. Enterprise value corrects for debt and cash, which is why it is the standard starting point for M&A comparisons and EV-based valuation multiples.

How to Use This Calculator

  1. Enter the company's market capitalization (share price × shares outstanding).
  2. Enter total debt (short-term + long-term borrowings from the balance sheet).
  3. Enter cash and cash equivalents.
  4. Add preferred stock and minority interest if applicable.
  5. Enter EBITDA and revenue for valuation multiples.
  6. Review enterprise value, multiples, and sector comparison.

Formula

EV = Market Cap + Total Debt − Cash + Preferred Stock + Minority Interest Net Debt = Total Debt − Cash EV/EBITDA = Enterprise Value / EBITDA EV/Revenue = Enterprise Value / Revenue

Example Calculation

Result: EV = $52 billion, EV/EBITDA = 4.3×

Market cap of $50B plus $10B debt minus $8B cash equals an enterprise value of $52B. With EBITDA of $12B, the EV/EBITDA multiple is 4.3×, suggesting a relatively cheap valuation.

Tips & Best Practices

Why Debt And Cash Matter

Enterprise value works because debt is part of what an acquirer inherits while cash reduces the net price paid. That makes EV more useful than market cap when leverage is meaningful.

Reading The Multiples

EV/EBITDA and EV/Revenue are comparison tools, not standalone verdicts. A company can look cheap on one and expensive on the other depending on margins, growth, and capital intensity. The right multiple depends on the business and the peer group.

Acquisition Lens

If you were buying the whole company, EV is closer to the amount you would actually need to account for. That is why it is the preferred lens in M&A and in comparisons between companies with different debt loads.

Sources & Methodology

Last updated:

Methodology

This worksheet computes enterprise value from the entered market capitalization, debt, cash, preferred stock, and minority interest using the standard bridge `EV = equity value + debt - cash + preferred stock + minority interest`. It also derives EV/EBITDA, EV/revenue, net debt, and per-share views from those same balance-sheet and market-value inputs.

The formula outputs are mechanical, but the sector comparison table is only a rough market-reference aid. It is not an official valuation rule, and it does not account for growth, cyclicality, lease adjustments, or other company-specific factors that can change how EV multiples are interpreted.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Why subtract cash from enterprise value?

Cash reduces the net cost of acquisition. If you buy a company for its market cap and assume its debts, the cash on hand effectively reduces what you paid. That is why cash sits on the opposite side of the formula.

What is a good EV/EBITDA ratio?

It varies by sector. Below 10× is generally considered cheap, 10-15× is moderate, and above 20× is expensive. Tech companies often trade at higher multiples. The industry context matters more than one universal cutoff.

How is EV different from market cap?

Market cap only values equity. EV values the entire business including debt. Two companies with the same market cap but different debt levels have very different EVs. EV is the broader acquisition lens.

When should I use EV/Revenue vs EV/EBITDA?

Use EV/Revenue for pre-profit companies or when comparing across industries with different margin structures. EV/EBITDA is preferred when comparing established, profitable companies. The right multiple depends on the business stage.

What is minority interest?

It represents the portion of subsidiaries not owned by the parent company. It is included in EV because the parent company's consolidated financials include the full subsidiary performance.

Can enterprise value be negative?

Yes, if cash exceeds market cap plus debt. This is rare and usually signals a company trading below its liquidation value. It is more of a balance-sheet edge case than a normal market condition.

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