Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets Ratio Definition, Formula & Example (2024)

Updated: November 24, 2022

KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • The ratio of total-debt-to-total-assets offers a look at how much a company finances assets using debt.
  • This formula takes all types of debt and assets into account. This includes intangible assets.
  • If your total-debt-to-total-assets ratio is 0.3, that means that 30% of your assets fall under credit. The remaining 70% falls under your own assets.

What is the Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets Ratio?

The total-debt-to-total-assets ratio is a metric that indicates a company’s overall financial health. A higher debt to assets ratio may mean that a company is less stable. Companies with more assets than debt obligations are a more worthwhile investment option. They may have a better leverage ratio in their industry than other similar companies.

Debt to Asset Ratio Formula

Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets Ratio Definition, Formula & Example (2)

A ratio of less than one means that a company has more current assets than current liabilities. A ratio of one means that a company has equivalent debts and assets. A ratio of greater than one means that a company owes more in debt than they possess in assets.

Real-World Example of the Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets Ratio

Let’s say a company has $5,000 owed on accounts payable. This is short-term debt, but debt nonetheless. The same company has $90,000 in long-term debt like business loans and other business debt. The total debt is $95,000.

The same company has a variety of assets:

  • Cash on-hand – $20,000
  • Accounts receivable – $35,000
  • Stock/inventory – $72,000
  • Equipment/property – $40,000

Now you divide the total debts by the total assets to get an equity ratio: $95,000/$167,000 = 56.9% debt to asset ratio. Debt funds 56.9% of the company’s total assets.

Limitations of the Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets Ratio

This simplified formula doesn’t compare the quality of debts and assets. Some assets may be of higher quality and thus have a higher perceived value. The formula also offers a snapshot of only one point in time. Review the balance sheet to assess trends over time. This offers a more accurate evaluation of a company’s financial performance.

How to Get a Low Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets Ratio

If you want your company to appeal to potential investors, lower your debt ratio. You can achieve this in a combination of two ways. First, pay down your short-term and long-term debts. Then look for ways to increase your assets. The bigger the gap between these two numbers, the better your ratio is. It may be easier for you to focus on one over the other.

For example, your total debts are $25,000 and your total assets are $50,000. This gives you a ratio of .5 or 50%. Your debts are equal to half of your assets. If you cannot pay down debt, try increasing your assets. By increasing your assets to $60,000 you lower your debts to assets ratio to a more desirable .417 or 41.7%.

Benefits and Risks of a Low Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets Ratio

Investors want to partner with financially sound companies. A track record of low debt and higher assets indicates that your team is good at managing money. Low debt makes your company more appealing to lenders, too.

If you already have a lot of debt, lenders may not want to issue additional loans.

Debt Ratio vs Long-Term Debt to Asset Ratio

The term ‘debt ratio’ is a shorter name for total-debt-to-total-assets ratio. Experts measure the long-term debt to asset ratio a little differently. They don’t consider short-term debts in the formula. Instead, they only total any long-term liabilities that are due more than one year out.

Summary

The calculation for total-debt-to-total-assets tells you how much debt you use for business financings. The formula includes all debts and all assets, including intangibles. A lower debt-to-assets-ratio can indicate that your business is better at managing funds. This can make you more appealing to lenders when you do need additional funding.

FAQs About Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets Ratio

What Does the Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets Ratio Tell You?

This ratio tells you the amount of a company’s debt compared to a company’s assets. A lower ratio tells you that a company is financially sound. A higher ratio tells you that a company may carry financial risk.

What is a good debt to total assets ratio?

Experts generally consider a debt to asset ratio good if it is .4 (40%) or lower.

Should debt to total assets ratio be high or low?

A lower ratio tells you that a company is financially sound. A higher ratio tells you that a company may carry financial risk.

Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets Ratio Definition, Formula & Example (2024)

FAQs

Total-Debt-to-Total-Assets Ratio Definition, Formula & Example? ›

The debt-to-total-assets ratio is calculated by dividing a company's total debt by its total assets. In the balance sheet below, ABC Co.'s total debt is $200,000 and its total assets are $300,000, so its debt-to-total-assets ratio would be: $200,000 / $300,000 = 0.67.

What is total debt to assets ratio example? ›

Calculating the Debt to Asset Ratio

In order to calculate the debt to asset ratio, we would add all funded debt together in the numerator: (18,061 + 66,166 + 27,569), then divide it by the total assets of 193,122. In this case, that yields a debt to asset ratio of 0.5789 (or expressed as a percentage: 57.9%).

What is an example of a total debt ratio? ›

So if a company has total assets of $100 million and total debt of $30 million, its debt ratio is 0.3 or 30%.

How to calculate total assets in total assets to debt ratio? ›

Total Assets to Debt Ratio = Total Assets/Long-term Debts.

What is an example of debt ratio calculation? ›

Let's say you have 600,000$ in total assets and 150,000$ in liabilities. To calculate the debt ratio, divide the liability (150,000$ ) by the total assets (600,000$ ). This results in a debt ratio of 0.25 or 25 percent.

What is the formula for total debt to asset ratio? ›

The total debt-to-total-asset ratio is calculated by dividing a company's total debts by its total assets.

What is the formula for the total assets ratio? ›

The return on total assets ratio is calculated by dividing a company's earnings after tax by its total assets. Total assets are equal to the sum of the shareholders' equity and the company's debt.

What is a good total debt ratio? ›

From a pure risk perspective, debt ratios of 0.4 or lower are considered better, while a debt ratio of 0.6 or higher makes it more difficult to borrow money. While a low debt ratio suggests greater creditworthiness, there is also risk associated with a company carrying too little debt.

How to calculate debt ratio with assets and liabilities? ›

The formula for calculating the debt-to-asset ratio for your business is:
  1. Total liabilities ÷ Total assets.
  2. Pro Tip: Your balance sheet will provide you with the totals you need in order to calculate your debt-to-asset ratio. ...
  3. $75,000 (liabilities) ÷ $68,000 (assets) = 1.1 debt-to-asset ratio.
Apr 22, 2024

What is the acceptable total debt ratio? ›

What's a good debt-to-income ratio? A debt-to-income ratio under 30% is excellent and a ratio of 30% to 35% is acceptable. A ratio higher than 40% could make creditors reject your application for an auto loan, student loan or mortgage. Plus, it's a sign you're in financial trouble!

What is the difference between debt ratio and debt to asset ratio? ›

So , higher the debt component it means higher the financial risk faced by the company . This ratio is also called debt-to-assets Ratio . The formula for the ratio is Total debt / Total assets * 100 . Debt comprises short term and long term debts or liabilities .

What is a bad debt ratio? ›

The bad debt to sales ratio represents the fraction of uncollectible accounts receivables in a year compared to total sales. For example, if a company's revenue is $100,000 and it's unable to collect $3,000, the bad debt to sales ratio is (3,000/100,000=0.03).

Is it better to have a higher or lower debt to asset ratio? ›

A lower debt to income ratio will represent a more stable company, with a greater ability to borrow during times of growth or stress. Debt to Asset Ratio is only one ratio of many important factors that determine a company's strength.

How to calculate debt ratio calculator? ›

Here's a simple two-step formula for calculating your DTI ratio.
  1. Add up all of your monthly debts. ...
  2. Divide the sum of your monthly debts by your monthly gross income (your take-home pay before taxes and other monthly deductions).
  3. Convert the figure into a percentage and that is your DTI ratio.

What is the formula for debt to owner's ratio? ›

The formula for calculating the debt-to-equity ratio is to take a company's total liabilities and divide them by its total shareholders' equity.

What is a good total debt to assets ratio? ›

The lowest possible debt to asset ratio is always preferred. A debt ratio of significantly less than 1 is considered good. It indicates that the company uses only adequate leverage to acquire assets. You can assume that the company acquired its assets through its cash flows or by raising equity.

What does a debt to total assets ratio of 80% mean? ›

Debt-to-total-assets ratio = 0.8 or 80% This means that 80% of Company B's assets are financed by debt, which indicates that the company has a higher risk of defaulting on its loans.

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