Glossary term

Interest coverage ratio

Interest coverage ratio compares earnings before interest and taxes with interest expense.

Plain meaning

What interest coverage means

Interest coverage ratio is commonly calculated as EBIT divided by interest expense. It estimates how many times entered earnings cover entered interest expense.

Formula role

How OpenBook uses it

OpenBook's coverage calculator uses entered EBIT and interest expense. If interest expense is zero, the ratio is unavailable because the formula denominator is zero.

Common boundary

Why coverage definitions vary

Lender and covenant definitions may use adjusted EBITDA, fixed charges, debt-service coverage, or other definitions. OpenBook's calculation is a simplified formula unless the calculator states otherwise.