EBITDA: Definition, Formula, and Examples [+ Excel Template]

What is EBITDA? How to calculate it with the right formula? Why is it important? If you're looking for answers to these questions, you've come to the right place. In this article, you will learn everything you need to know about EBITDA. Furthermore, you will have access to an excel template that lets you calculate the EBITDA for more than 65,000 companies with just one click.

What is EBITDA? Why is it important?

EBITDA, or earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, is a profitability metric that measures a company’s overall financial performance. Some investors use EBITDA instead of net income or simple earnings because it can provide better insight into a company’s operations by stripping away expenses that can hide performance. Additionally, EBITDA deducts capital and financing expenditures, making it a good metric to compare the profitability of companies and industries.

It’s important to remember that EBITDA is not part of the Generally Accepted Accounting Principles and thus can be calculated differently from company to company. In fact, some companies will even intentionally use EBITDA to hide their real performance.

How to calculate EBITDA with the right formula

EBITDA =
(+) Earnings Before Taxes (EBT)
(+) Net Interest Expenses
(+) Other Non-operating Expenses
(+) D&A
(+) Unusual Items

To calculate EBITDA you have to add back net interest expenses, other non-operating expenses, D&A, and unusual items to a company’s earnings before taxes (EBT). EBT, as well as the tax and interest figures, are reported on the income statement. D&A numbers can be found in the operating profit notes or on the cash flow statement. Some investors will calculate an unadjusted EBITDA by not including unusual items that act as one-time expenses.

EBITDA Examples [+ Excel Template]

I’ve created an example calculation of EBITDA to try out. To explore the EBITDA of the 65,000+ companies that Finbox supports, just change the ticker in the spreadsheet. Click here to open the spreadsheet in Google Sheets. Select File > Make a copy to modify the example calculation. If you are not already registered on Finbox, all you have to do is sign up for free here.

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Finbox makes it easy to calculate the EBITDA of 65,000+ companies with just one click. All you have to do is sign up for free at Finbox and use our powerful data explorer.