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MCA Calculator: Calculate the Cost of Your MCA

By Richard Wilson

Last Updated on

Estimated read time: 7 minutes

Before you take a merchant cash advance with us or anyone else, we want you to know exactly what it could cost — no surprises, no hidden fees.

This calculator gives you a clear picture of how much you’ll repay, how long it might take, and what your daily payment could look like based on your sales.

We use this same math every day when we evaluate offers for business owners like you. Whether you’re just exploring your options or already have an offer in hand, this tool will help you make an informed decision.

It’s fast, simple, and based on real numbers. Let’s walk through it together.

How to Use This MCA Calculator: Step-by-Step

This calculator works best when you enter figures that match your actual business performance. Here’s what to input and how each number affects your results:

StepDescription
1. Enter Your Advance AmountThis is the lump sum you’d like to receive upfront. It’s the base for every cost calculation.
2. Add the Factor RateThe factor rate is a fixed multiplier — like 1.3 or 1.4 — that we apply to your advance to calculate what you’ll owe in total. A $20,000 advance at 1.3 means you’ll repay $26,000.
3. Enter Your Monthly Credit Card SalesThis helps us estimate how much of your daily revenue can go toward repayment. If your MCA is based on total revenue instead of credit cards, use your total average monthly sales here.
4. Input Your Holdback PercentageThis is the share of your daily sales that’ll be deducted to repay the MCA. Most businesses fall between 10% and 20%.
5. Click ‘Calculate’Once all your info is filled in, hit calculate to see your estimated daily payment, total repayment amount, and how long it may take to repay the full advance.

Merchant Cash Advance Calculator

Estimate the total cost of your MCA

Merchant Cash Advance Calculator

What Your Results Mean

Once you click calculate, you’ll see three core figures. Here’s how to make sense of them:

  • Daily Repayment
    This is how much you’ll be paying back per day, based on your monthly sales and holdback rate. For example, if your holdback is 15% and you process $30,000 in monthly sales, your daily repayment might land around $205.
  • Repayment Duration
    We estimate how long it may take to pay off your total balance based on your revenue and the daily deduction. This isn’t a fixed loan term — it adjusts with your business volume. Slower sales? Longer payoff.
  • Total Repayment Amount
    This is your advance multiplied by the factor rate. If you borrow $30,000 at 1.4, you’ll repay $42,000 total. This includes our cost for the advance, not interest, just a fixed fee.
  • Cost of Capital
    That’s the difference between what you receive and what you repay. Using the same example, $12,000 is your cost of capital, before any additional fees are factored in.

Our calculator gives you an estimate. Real repayment amounts depend on how your sales perform, especially if they fluctuate month to month.

How We Price Repayment — And What to Watch For

MCAs aren’t like loans. There’s no interest rate, no amortization, and no benefit to paying early unless your contract includes a discount. We charge a fixed cost for the funding, and we only get repaid as your revenue comes in.

That’s why understanding your holdback rate and factor rate matters so much. A higher holdback means faster repayment, but tighter daily cash flow. A lower holdback stretches the term out longer, which gives you breathing room but delays payback.

If your estimated daily repayment feels too high compared to your sales, you might want to:

  • Request a smaller advance
  • Ask for a lower holdback rate
  • Consider an offer with a lower factor rate
  • Talk to us about structuring repayment based on total revenue (instead of just credit card sales)

We want you to take on an advance you can actually manage, not one that squeezes your business.

Don’t Forget About Fees

We don’t believe in hiding fees, but not every provider is as upfront.

When comparing MCA offers or reading your agreement, keep an eye out for the following charges:

  • Origination or Initiation Fees – Charged at the start of the advance
  • Risk Fees – Based on your credit or industry
  • Admin or Transaction Fees – Often tied to how repayments are processed
  • Broker Charges – If you’re using an intermediary
  • Early or Late Payment Fees – Even though MCAs aren’t loans, some contracts still include timing penalties

Our calculator focuses on core costs only. If your total repayment seems higher than the math suggests, these fees could be the reason.

We recommend you ask your provider:
“What’s the full amount I’ll repay, including every fee?”
If they hesitate, it’s a red flag.

Use This Tool to Compare MCA Offers

If you’ve already received one or more MCA offers, plug the numbers into this calculator. Then adjust the fields to match each offer and see which one fits your business better.

You’re not just looking for the lowest total repayment. You’re looking for the right balance between cost, daily repayment, and how long it’ll take to pay off, without hurting your cash flow in the process.

We’ve built this tool to help you see the full picture.

Planning Your Next Move

This calculator isn’t just about numbers. It’s about clarity.

Whether you’re applying for your first MCA or considering a renewal, use this tool to understand what the funding really means for your business. If the numbers work, great. If they don’t, we’ll help you look at other options or restructure the offer.

We want your MCA to help your business grow, not put pressure on it.

Run your numbers. Compare your options. Ask tough questions. Then decide what’s right for you.

Ready to Apply?

or learn more about MCA Advance

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