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Debt-to-Equity Ratio Calculator

Measure a company's leverage as debt divided by shareholders' equity.

About the Debt-to-Equity Ratio Calculator

Enter total liabilities (or interest-bearing debt only, if that's the version you need) and shareholders' equity from the balance sheet. The calculator gives the debt-to-equity ratio and the share of total funding that comes from debt.

Higher ratios mean more financial risk but can boost returns on equity. Capital-heavy industries (utilities, banks) normally run higher ratios than software or services.

The formula

D/E = total liabilities ÷ shareholders' equity

Worked example

Liabilities 400,000 and equity 500,000

  1. D/E = 400,000 ÷ 500,000 = 0.8
  2. 80 of debt for every 100 of equity
  3. Debt is 400,000 ÷ 900,000 = 44.4% of total funding

Things to keep in mind

  • Use figures from the same balance-sheet date.
  • Definitions vary (total liabilities or only borrowings), so compare ratios worked out the same way.

Questions people ask

What's a good ratio?

Often 0.5–1.5, but compare with the industry.

Where do I find the numbers?

On the balance sheet in the annual report: total liabilities and total shareholders' equity.